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In the case of successful World Cups, no continent is aware of easy methods to do it higher than Europe.
Advisable Tales
record of 4 objectsfinish of record
Outdoors of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, solely European groups have lifted the trophy.
Al Jazeera takes a take a look at the 16 UEFA qualifiers, of which 4 earlier winners are included – with Italy the fifth group to win it, however lacking out on a 3rd consecutive version when the event begins on June 11:
⚽️ AUSTRIA
World Cup Appearances: Eight (1934, 1954, 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1998, 2026)
Finest end: Third place
Total World Cup report: P29 W12 D4 L13 F43 A47
FIFA rating: 24
Prediction: Eradicated at group stage
So lengthy a World Cup common, Austria return to the worldwide stage after a 28-year absence.
Veteran ahead Marko Arnautovic leads the road and the hopes of the Austrians, who’re coached by former Manchester United interim boss, Ralf Rangnick.
Arnautovic netted eight occasions in a qualifying marketing campaign that noticed his facet high Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania of their group.
Captain and centre-back David Alaba, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and ever-dangerous midfielder Michael Gregoritsch had been all a part of the facet that completed forward of France and the Netherlands of their group at Euro 2024.
Their elimination by Turkiye within the subsequent spherical meant they haven’t received a knockout sport at a significant event since 1954.
Debutants Jordan are first up for Austria earlier than defending champions Argentina, and their remaining Group J match is towards Algeria.
⚽️ BELGIUM
World Cup Appearances: 15 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Third place
Total World Cup report: P51 W21 D10 L20 F69 A74
FIFA rating: 8
Prediction: Eradicated at quarterfinal stage
A shock group-stage exit at Qatar 2022 struck an enormous blow to Belgium and their golden technology. That adopted their finest World Cup end after they reached the semifinals in 2018, earlier than successful the third-place playoff.
Nonetheless in a position to name on the abilities of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the Purple Devils are boosted by the emergence of Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere.
Egypt and Iran will each present stern exams, whereas New Zealand will do properly to take some extent in a tricky group.
⚽️ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
World Cup Appearances: 2 (2014, 2026)
Finest end: Group stage
Total World Cup report: P3 W1 D0 L2 F4 A4
FIFA rating: 65
Prediction: Eradicated at group stage
Penalty shootout success towards Wales and Italy within the playoffs steered Bosnia to the World Cup, the place Edin Dzeko and Kerim Alajbegovic will present one of many extra attention-grabbing ahead traces on the finals.
The previous is aged 40 and his strike associate a mere 18 years of age – Alajbegovis was not even born when Dzeko made his worldwide debut.
Former Manchester Metropolis striker Dzeko will captain the facet, whereas Alajbegovic’s standout season for Purple Bull Salzburg has seen Bayer Leverkusen step in with a five-year contract for the winger.
⚽️ CROATIA
World Cup Appearances: 7 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Third place
Total World Cup report: P30 W13 D8 L9 F43 A33
FIFA rating: 10
Prediction: Eradicated at quarterfinal stage
The runners-up medal in 2018 was adopted by a third-place end in Qatar, however time is towards Croatia and, specifically, their 40-year-old maestro Luka Modric.
Coach Zlatko Dalic will at the very least be capable of construct upon the central defensive pairing of the extremely regarded and youthful Josko Gvardiol, 24, and Luka Vuskovic, 19, for years to return.
England, Ghana and Panama serve up maybe essentially the most aggressive group on the event.
⚽️ CZECH REPUBLIC
World Cup {qualifications}: 10 (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1990, 2006, 2026)
Finest end: Runners-up
Total World Cup report: P33 W12 D5 L16 F47 A49
FIFA rating: 43
Prediction: Eradicated on the group stage
Coach Miroslav Koubek returns Czechia to the worldwide stage for the primary time in 20 years, however their facet is shorn of the celebs of years passed by.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick completed Euro 2020 as joint high scorer and shall be anticipated to offer the spark.
South Korea, South Africa and event cohosts Mexico will all anticipate to progress on the expense of the Czechs.
⚽️ ENGLAND
World Cup appearances: 17 (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Winners
Total World Cup report: P74 W32 D22 L20 F104 A68
FIFA rating: 4
Prediction: Eradicated at quarterfinal stage
Harry Kane is just his nation’s one nice hope.
England’s report scorer with 79 objectives in 113 appearances, he’s additionally famend for dropping deep and linking up the play.
For a 3rd successive season, the striker has additionally completed because the Bundesliga high scorer – netting 36 occasions on this marketing campaign.
At 32, this may very well be his final shot at handing England their second World Cup trophy, however the aforementioned group of loss of life should be overcome earlier than the knockouts – and the English bane of penalties – needs to be thought-about.
⚽️ FRANCE
World Cup appearances: 17 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Winners – twice
Total World Cup report: P73 W39 D14 L20 F136 A85
FIFA rating: 3
Prediction: Winners
With a unprecedented depth of expertise in each place, France have a critical shot at being topped World Cup winners for a 3rd time.
Kylian Mbappe will lead the road, supported by Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Want Doue – each contemporary from consecutive UEFA Champions League titles.
France coach Didier Deschamps will step down after the event after 12 years in cost. Earlier than that, he’ll hope to emulate West Germany between 1982 and 1990, and Brazil from 1994 to 2002, in reaching three consecutive World Cup finals.
Victory in 2018 meant the previous midfielder received the competitors as each participant and supervisor.
⚽️ GERMANY
World Cup appearances: 21 (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: 4-time winners
Total World Cup report: P112 W68 D21 L23 F232 A130
FIFA rating: 10
Prediction: Eradicated at semifinal stage
Italy, as the primary earlier winners to overlook three consecutive World Cups, would like to have Germany’s predicament.
The four-time winners have did not make it out of the group stage on the final two editions. For the perennial contenders, this marks a mini disaster.
Ought to Julian Nagelsmann’s facet not progress from a gaggle of Ivory Coast, Ecuador and World Cup debutants Curacao, then a critical inquiry into Germany’s run will certainly ensue.
Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala level to a vibrant future, whereas Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger stay skilled stalwarts.
⚽️ NETHERLANDS
World Cup appearances: 12 (1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2026).
Finest end: Three-time runners-up
Total World Cup report: P55 W30 D14 L11 F96 A52
FIFA rating: 7
Prediction: Eradicated at quarterfinal stage
Ceaselessly the bridesmaids, Netherlands final missed the bouquet in 2010.
Virgil van Dijk is the inspiration, whereas Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong provide the aptitude accustomed with the full soccer of the Dutch masters of outdated.
Coach Ronald Koeman has already made clear his ambition: “Our objective is to win the World Cup.”
Whether or not Koeman has the mandatory instruments to ship stays to be seen.
There’s a rising perception, nonetheless, {that a} squad which are greater than the sum of their elements may upstage their extra illustrious opponents with their stellar lineups.
Japan, Sweden and Tunisia await within the group stage.
⚽️ NORWAY
World Cup appearances: 4 (1938, 1994, 1998, 2026)
Finest end: Spherical of 16
Total World Cup report: P8 W2 D3 L3 F7 A8
FIFA rating: 32
Prediction: Eradicated at spherical of 32 stage
Led by Erling Haaland’s extraordinary 16 objectives in qualifying – with a bit assist from Martin Odegaard’s seven assists – Norway return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
Italy had been topped of their group, overwhelmed each house and away, however larger challenges lie forward within the opening part of the World Cup, with France, Senegal and Iraq awaiting.
Overcoming these challenges won’t be easy. Then the Norwegians – who plundered 37 objectives in eight consecutive wins – can contemplate breaching the final 16 for the primary time.
⚽️ PORTUGAL
World Cup appearances: 9 (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Third place
Total World Cup report: P35 W17 D6 L12 F61 A41
FIFA rating: 6
Prediction: Eradicated at quarterfinal stage
A facet with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes has an opportunity of successful any match.
Joao Neves and Vitinha additionally make issues tick in midfield, however it’s two of Portugal’s best that might want to lead the facet if they’re to succeed in a remaining for the primary time.
This event is ready to be Ronaldo’s farewell – a record-equalling sixth finals, which shall be matched by his career-long rival Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Whether or not the 41-year-old can add the final trophy lacking from his glittering profession might come all the way down to Roberto Martinez pushing one of many best of all time for one final tilt.
Thus far underneath Martinez, Ronaldo has scored 25 objectives in 30 appearances.
⚽️ SCOTLAND
World Cup appearances: 9 (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2026)
Finest end: Group stage
Total World Cup report: P23 W4 D7 L12 F25 A41
FIFA rating: 43
Prediction: Eradicated at spherical of 32 stage
Scotland arrive at their first World Cup since 1998 off the again of a hard-fought qualifying group that wanted a final-day win towards Denmark to progress.
The Scottish revival comes on the again of qualifying for Euro 2020 and 2024 – it additionally marks their eighth look at a World Cup, which included a run of reaching 5 finals on the bounce between 1974 and 1990.
Captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay deliver Champions League expertise to a facet which are most likely finest third-place end in a gaggle with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
Three factors needs to be sufficient to succeed in the following spherical – one thing no Scotland facet has carried out at both a World Cup or European Championship.
⚽️ SPAIN
World Cup appearances: 17 (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Winners
Total World Cup report: P67 W31 D17 L19 F108 A75
FIFA rating: 1
Prediction: Runners-up
Ranked primary on the planet, whereas additionally holding the title of European champions, Spain are the favourites for the event.
Lamine Yamal is the poster boy for the facet, and his second successive La Liga title with Barcelona was capped with the popularity of the Participant of the Season award.
Their solely World Cup win, at Germany 2010, got here two years after claiming the European crown, and Luis de la Fuente will hope that shall be an omen for his facet as soon as extra.
La Roja must bounce again from two beneath par World Cup performances, which noticed them exit the 2022 and 2026 tournaments on the spherical of 16 stage.
Though no walkovers, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde ought to present no nice menace on the group stage.
⚽️ SWEDEN
World Cup appearances: 13 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2026)
Finest end: Runners-up
Total World Cup report: P51 W19 D13 L19 F80 A73
FIFA rating: 42
Prediction: Eradicated at group stage
With a strike pressure led by Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, Sweden possess a objective menace to strike concern into any opponent.
Their return to the World Cup for the primary time since 2018, nonetheless, got here through the lifeline of qualification from the UEFA Nations League.
The Swedes completed backside of their group in common qualifying, so that they wanted to depend on their performances in a two-year continental competitors for a shot on the playoffs.
It additionally required a change of supervisor, with Englishman Graham Potter changing sacked Danish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson in October 2025 and steering them to playoff victories over Ukraine and Poland.
Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan will present a fierce check of their new-found kind underneath Potter.
⚽️ SWITZERLAND
World Cup appearances: 13 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Finest end: Runners-up
Total World Cup report: P41 W14 D8 L19 F55 A73
FIFA rating: 19
Prediction: Eradicated at spherical of 32 stage
Switzerland have reached the quarterfinalists 3 times however have a present World Cup kind e-book to reverse if they’re to repeat their feats of 1930, 1934 and 1954.
The Swiss have certified for the final six finals however have gone out on the spherical of 16 stage in 5 of these appearances.
They did, nonetheless, solely simply miss out on a spot within the semifinals at Euro 2024, following a penalty shootout defeat by England.
Qatar, Bosnia and hosts Canada should not anticipated to upset the chances towards the Swiss, who’re favourites for the group off the again of an unbeaten qualifying run that noticed them concede solely two objectives.
⚽️ TURKIYE
World Cup appearances: 3 (1954, 2002, 2026)
Finest end: Third place
Total World Cup report: P10 W5 D1 L4 F20 A17
FIFA rating: 22
Prediction: Eradicated at spherical of 32 stage
On the home stage, Turkiye produce constant challenges for European membership opponents, which makes solely a 3rd look at a World Cup shocking, to say the least.
The aggressive high flight in Turkiye is as a lot recognized for the relentless help of the crowds, who will hope that their group can lastly deliver the wealth of expertise at house to the worldwide sport.
Turkiye hopes two rising 21-year-old stars will cause them to larger – and extra constant – returns at worldwide stage.
Playmaker Arda Guler is shortly changing into a star flip for Actual Madrid, however may very well be upstaged for Turkiye by the thrilling expertise of Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz.
America, Paraguay and Australia will pose a check for Turkiye’s ambitions, however a spot within the spherical of 32 would be the absolute minimal that coach Vincenzo Montella and the passionate supporters will anticipate.
