We tried. We genuinely tried to leave him out. The list was done. Ten players. Mbappé at one, Yamal at two, the arguments made and the verdicts delivered. And then we looked at the numbers again. 36 Bundesliga goals in 2025/26. 58 in all competitions. Back to back German
Brazil are Viva's pick to win World Cup 2026. Vinícius, Raphinha, Endrick. A squad built for this tournament despite three significant injuries. Twenty-four years since the last star. The wait ends here.
Kylian Mbappé is 27 years old, has scored 56 goals in two La Liga seasons, leads France into this World Cup as captain, and is the tournament favourite. There is no version of this list where he is not number one.
France are the defending World Cup champions. They have the deepest squad at the tournament. Mbappé is 27 and four goals from the all-time scoring record. They are number two on this list. The gap to number one is Brazil — and it is narrow.
Lamine Yamal is 18 years old and the most exciting player at World Cup 2026. Spain are the tournament favourites. He is the reason. A hamstring concern is the only thing standing between him and defining the entire summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo is at his sixth World Cup. No outfield player in history has appeared at more. He is 41 years old. Portugal have a squad good enough to win this tournament. The question is whether he helps or hinders — and the honest answer is both.
Spain are the reigning European champions with the youngest average squad age at this tournament. Lamine Yamal is 18 and arguably the best player in the world. A hamstring concern is the only thing keeping them from number one on this list.
Germany have not won a World Cup since 2014. Musiala is back from injury. Wirtz is at his peak. Nagelsmann has finally built a system that matches the talent available. Fourth on this list — and Viva's dark horse for the final.
Argentina are the defending World Cup champions. They have lost Foyth and potentially Romero to injury. Messi turns 39 during the tournament. They are fifth on this list — and still capable of winning the whole thing.
Lionel Messi turns 39 three days before Argentina's first group match. He is the defending World Cup champion. He is almost certainly playing his last tournament. None of that context is necessary to explain why he is here — the football does that.
Lamine Yamal is 18 years old. He is arguably the best player in the world right now, regardless of age. Spain are the tournament favourites and he is the reason. This is not hyperbole — it is the assessment of everyone watching closely enough to know.
Jamal Musiala is 22 years old and the best player Germany have had in a generation. He missed significant time through injury. He is back. Players who return from injury with a point to prove at a World Cup tend to produce the tournament's most memorable moments.
World Cup 2026
Vinícius Júnior is the most dangerous attacker in world football when everything clicks. Brazil have lost three key players to injury. The pressure on him is enormous. He has been here before.
World Cup 2026
João Neves is 21 years old and has already won back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG. He is Portugal's most important midfielder. The list of things he hasn't won is getting shorter. A World Cup is next on it.
World Cup 2026
England have not won the World Cup since 1966. In 2026 they have Bellingham at 22, a deep and talented squad, and no more reasons to fail. The defensive injuries are a concern. The attacking quality is not.
World Cup 2026
Jude Bellingham is 22 years old and the most important player England have had since the 1990s. Real Madrid built their system around him. England have done the same. In 2026 the weight of a nation arrives alongside the talent to handle it.
Team Profile
Paraguay are at their first World Cup since 2010. Los Guaraní reached the quarter-finals that year. In 2026 they are in Group D with USA, Australia and Turkey. The tournament has unfinished business with them.
Team Profile
Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup and went out in the group stage. In 2026 they qualify on merit through the AFC. Group B with Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina is their chance to show the world they are more than hosts.
Team Profile
Iraq are at their first World Cup since 1986. Forty years. The Lions of Mesopotamia qualified through the AFC intercontinental pathway. Group I with France, Norway and Senegal awaits.
Team Profile
Czechia are in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. They are the most underrated side at World Cup 2026. Patrik Schick leads them. They are quietly capable of the quarter-finals.
Team Profile
Uzbekistan have never been to a World Cup. In 2026 they face Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo in Group K. Central Asia's most exciting football story arrives on the biggest stage.
Team Profile
Jordan have never played at a World Cup. In 2026 they face Argentina, Algeria and Austria in Group J. The Nashama make history on June 17. The whole of the Arab world is watching.
Team Profile
Sweden missed the 2022 World Cup. They spent four years making sure it would not happen again. Isak and Gyökeres lead the most complete Swedish squad in two decades.
Team Profile
Bosnia & Herzegovina eliminated Italy from World Cup 2026 qualifying. Italy will watch from home. Bosnia will play. The story of how they got here is worth every word.