Fifa World Cup team guide
This summer, the World Cup enters its biggest era yet.
For the first time, 48 teams will compete for the trophy, with matches spread across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The expansion brings familiar giants and four first-time qualifiers into the field, creating the largest edition in its history, with more matches and storylines than ever before.
Alongside former winners are returning sides with long World Cup histories, nations ending lengthy waits to get back on the stage and debutants appearing at the finals for the first time.
Each continent provides its own stories, from South America’s traditional heavyweights to Africa’s growing ambitions and Europe’s deep field of contenders.
Below is all you need to know about the 48 sides…
North & Central America
The contingent has a different feel in 2026, with Canada, Mexico and the United States all qualifying automatically as co-hosts.
For Mexico and the USA, that brings expectation as much as opportunity, while Canada have another chance to show that their return to the world stage is more than a one-off.
Beyond the hosts, qualifying produced three key stories, with Panama returning after making their debut in 2018, Haiti being back for the first time since 1974 and Curacao making their World Cup debut.
Canada
World Ranking:30
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Co-hosts Canada failed to win a point at their two previous World Cups. Their golden generation is aiming for the knockouts.
Curacao (debut)
World Ranking:82
World Cup Appearances:Debut
World Cup Best Performance:
N/A
Curacao are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup and take on four-time winners Germany in their maiden group stage.
Haiti
World Ranking:83
World Cup Appearances:2
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
An emerging Caribbean nation, Haiti are making their long-awaited return to the World Cup for the first time in 50 years.
Mexico
World Ranking:15
World Cup Appearances:19
World Cup Best Performance:
Quarter-finals
Making history as a host for the third time, Mexico crashed out in the group stage in Qatar but expect better on home soil.
Panama
World Ranking:33
World Cup Appearances: 3
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
An emerging force in Central America, Panama are targeting a first win and a place in the last 32 at their second World Cup.
United States
World Ranking:16
World Cup Appearances: 12
World Cup Best Performance:
Third (1930)
Co-hosts USA have reached the last eight of the World Cup once in 2002, but will have the backing of the nation behind them.
South America
South America’s six qualifiers bring the usual weight of World Cup history, led by reigning champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil.
Sides in the continent faced a tricky round-robin format to reach the finals, with Ecuador producing an impressive display to finish second despite facing a points deduction.
Colombia, who missed out in 2022, make their return, while a resurgent Paraguay are back for the first time since 2010. Uruguay, who won the first edition in 1930, provide another dose of strength.
Argentina
World Ranking:3
World Cup Appearances:19
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1978, 1986, 2022)
World Cup holders Argentina are grouped against lesser-fancied opponents in the opening games. Only Italy and Brazil have successfully defended the trophy.
Brazil
World Ranking:6
World Cup Appearances:23
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Five-time former champions Brazil have turned to a legendary Italian head coach to try to end their 24-year wait for further World Cup success.
Colombia
World Ranking:13
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Quarter-finals
Colombia sat out the last World Cup but were Copa America finalists in 2024. James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz spearhead their challenge.
Ecuador
World Ranking:23
World Cup Appearances:5
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
Ecuador are a hot tip to be the dark horses of this World Cup having conceded just five goals in 18 South American qualifiers as they finished second behind Argentina.
Paraguay
World Ranking:40
World Cup Appearances:9
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Paraguay make their first World Cup appearance since 2010, when they made the last eight. Their strength is teamwork rather than star quality.
Uruguay
World Ranking:17
World Cup Appearances:15
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1930, 1950)
Former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has endured a turbulent few years in the Uruguay hotseat, but all will be forgiven if he can guide them to the knockout stage.
Europe
Europe provides the biggest group of sides at the World Cup - and some of the strongest contenders for the trophy.
France, Spain, Germany and England are all among the main favourites, while Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia have proven tournament tournament pedigree.
Qualifying brought some notable returns, with Scotland and Norway both making their first appearance since 1998, while Bosnia-Herzegovina are back after missing the past two World Cups.
Twelve sides qualified as group winners before Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey made it through the play-offs.
Austria
World Ranking:24
World Cup Appearances:8
World Cup Best Performance:
Third (1954)
David Alaba captains Austria at their first World Cup in 28 years, with former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick in charge.
Belgium
World Ranking:9
World Cup Appearances:15
World Cup Best Performance:
Third (2018)
Belgium return to the World Cup aiming to right the wrongs of only a second group-stage exit since 1982 four years ago.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
World Ranking:65
World Cup Appearances:2
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Bosnia-Herzegovina - with 40-year-old Edin Dzeko in tow - will play in only their second World Cup after making it through the play-offs.
Croatia
World Ranking:11
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Runners-up (2018)
Arguably the game’s biggest overachievers, Croatia's talented but ageing side are looking to conjure more World Cup magic this summer.
Czech Republic
World Ranking:41
World Cup Appearances:10*
World Cup Best Performance:
Runners-up (1934, 1962 as Czechoslovakia)
Penalty drama in the play-offs booked the Czech Republic's first World Cup spot in 20 years. Now to tackle the group stage.
*Czechia's World Cup history includes appearances by former Czechoslovakia, whose records are recognized by Fifa.
England
World Ranking:4
World Cup Appearances:17
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1966)
England are hoping coach Thomas Tuchel can help end the Three Lions' 60-year wait for a major trophy.
France
World Ranking:1
World Cup Appearances:17
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1998, 2018)
France are aiming to become just the third nation to reach three successive World Cup finals in the last dance of Didier Deschamps' 14 years in charge.
Germany
World Ranking:10
World Cup Appearances:21
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
Four-time winners Germany are one of the most successful World Cup nations, last winning it in 2014. Time for another victory?
Netherlands
World Ranking:7
World Cup Appearances:12
World Cup Best Performance:
Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)
The Netherlands have reached the World Cup final a record three times without winning it, something they'll be wanting to put right this summer.
Norway
World Ranking:31
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
Erling Haaland’s Norway scored goals galore in qualifying to return to the World Cup after 28 years away. They could be dark horses.
Portugal
World Ranking:5
World Cup Appearances:9
World Cup Best Performance:
Third (1966)
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal into his sixth World Cup as the 2016 European champions strive for global glory.
Scotland
World Ranking:43
World Cup Appearances:9
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Scotland are aiming to make the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time on a first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Spain
World Ranking:2
World Cup Appearances:17
World Cup Best Performance:
Champions (2010)
World Cup favourites Spain are targeting a second title after winning in 2010, with Luis de la Fuente’s side boosted by Euro 2024 success.
Sweden
World Ranking:38
World Cup Appearances:13
World Cup Best Performance:
Runners-up (1958)
Sweden failed to win a single game in qualifying but made it through the play-offs after Graham Potter was drafted in as coach.
Switzerland
World Ranking:19
World Cup Appearances:13
World Cup Best Performance:
Quarter-finals
Three-time quarter-finalists Switzerland have made it out of the group stages in the previous three World Cups as they look to go again.
Turkey
World Ranking:22
World Cup Appearances:3
World Cup Best Performance:
Third (2002)
Turkey have been transformed by their Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella and the Euro 2024 quarter-finalists possess two young stars ready to grace this stage.
Africa
This tournament sees Africa field a record 10 teams, with the expanded format opening the door to comeback stories and a World Cup debut.
Morocco return after becoming the first African side to reach a semi-final in 2022, while Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia and Egypt are all familiar with the World Cup.
Algeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa are back after missing recent editions, while DR Congo return for the first time since 1974 and Cape Verde are newcomers.
Algeria
World Ranking:28
World Cup Appearances:5
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
In Algeria's fifth World Cup, the two-time African champions are hoping to progress beyond the last 16 for the first time.
Cape Verde (debut)
World Ranking:69
World Cup Appearances:Debut
World Cup Best Performance:
N/A
Cape Verde's Blue Sharks are the minnows of this group, but they did finish ahead of African giants Cameroon to qualify for their first global tournament.
DR Congo
World Ranking:46
World Cup Appearances:2
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
DR Congo are targeting their first World Cup point and goal on their return to the tournament after 52 years.
Egypt
World Ranking:29
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Seven-time Afcon winners, Egypt will take part in their fourth World Cup. Mohamed Salah’s side have not reached the knockouts since 1934.
Ghana
World Ranking:74
World Cup Appearances:5
World Cup Best Performance:
Quarter-finals
Having sacked their coach with just 72 days to go Ghana have turned to the experienced Carlos Queiroz, who will lead a team at a World Cup for a fifth time.
Ivory Coast
World Ranking:34
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Ivory Coast are back at a World Cup for the first time in 12 years and their dynamic squad is the youngest at the tournament.
Morocco
World Ranking:8
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Semi-finals (2022)
Morocco are no longer to be considered dark horses after their run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Can they replicate that success with a new head coach?
Senegal
World Ranking:14
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Quarter-finals
The last time Senegal reach the quarter-finals in 2002, they opened with a win against France - the same nation they face first this summer.
South Africa
World Ranking:60
World Cup Appearances:4
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Host nation in 2010, South Africa have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Can they reach the knockouts?
Tunisia
World Ranking:44
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Seven-times qualifiers Tunisia were the first African team to win a World Cup match in 1978. Could this young side create more history?
Asia
Asia provides two breakthrough stories, with Jordan and Uzbekistan both making their first appearance at a World Cup.
The expanded format also helped Iraq qualify for the first time since 1986, having to go through a lengthy process which ended in them beating Bolivia in an intercontinental play-off to book their spot.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia made it through the play-offs, while Japan, Iran, South Korea, Jordan and Uzbekistan booked their spot by topping their third-round groups.
Iran
World Ranking:21
World Cup Appearances:8
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
After trepidation as to whether Iran would take part, the Middle Eastern side will line up for their seventh World Cup.
Iraq
World Ranking:57
World Cup Appearances:2
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Iraq were the final side to qualify for the World Cup. They lost all three games at their only previous appearance in 1986.
Japan
World Ranking:18
World Cup Appearances:8
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
A seventh consecutive World Cup for Japan, Asia's most successful footballing nation have reached the last 16 in their past two.
Jordan (debut)
World Ranking:63
World Cup Appearances:Debut
World Cup Best Performance:
N/A
World Cup debutants Jordan have been a rising force in Asian football over the past few years and they should not be underestimated.
Qatar
World Ranking:55
World Cup Appearances:2
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
Playing in their maiden World Cup when host nation in 2022, Qatar have made it through qualification for the first time.
Saudi Arabia
World Ranking:61
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
Saudi Arabia return to the World Cup finals for their third consecutive tournament, but they have not reached the knockouts since 1994.
South Korea
World Ranking:25
World Cup Appearances:12
World Cup Best Performance:
Semi-finals (2002)
South Korea are playing in an 11th consecutive World Cup, but have struggled for form in the build-up to the tournament.
Uzbekistan (debut)
World Ranking:50
World Cup Appearances:Debut
World Cup Best Performance:
N/A
One of four World Cup debutants, Uzbekistan's qualification after several near misses is the result of a long-term development plan.
Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand arrive by very different routes, with Australia having competed in Asian qualifying and New Zealand going through the Oceanian route.
Australia secured an automatic place by finishing second behind Japan in their group and secure their sixth successive appearance at a World Cup.
New Zealand benefitted from the new format providing Oceania with a direct World Cup place for the first time and they beat New Caledonia in the qualifying final to reach the tournament for only the third time - and their first since 2010.
Australia
World Ranking:27
World Cup Appearances:7
World Cup Best Performance:
Round of 16
Australia reached the last 16 in 2022 for only the second time at the World Cup. Can they win a knockout game for the first time?
New Zealand
World Ranking:85
World Cup Appearances:3
World Cup Best Performance:
Group stage
The All Whites seek their first World Cup group win as they return to the tournament after a 16-year absence.
Credits
Written by Adam Millington
Sub-edited by Brendon Mitchell
Graphics by Andy Dicks
Images by Getty Images
