All the probable starting lineups of the national teams at the 2026 World Cup
All 48 starting teams of the national teams at the 2026 World Cup
MEXICO — Group A
Co-organizer and host, Mexico wants to cancel the elimination from the 2022 groups (the first since 1978). On the bench is Javier Aguirre in his third era with Tri, fresh from triumphs in the Gold Cup and Nations League. Mix of veterans - above all Guillermo Ochoa, in his sixth World Cup - and talented youngsters like Gilberto Mora. Starting goalkeeper Luis Malagón is out (ruptured Achilles tendon).
Probable form: 4-3-3 Rangel; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Luis Romo/Pineda, Edson Álvarez (cap.), Álvaro Fidalgo; Alexis Vega, Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones
Notes: Aguirre also alternates the 4-2-3-1 (with Gilberto Mora and Erik Lira in the middle and Brian Gutiérrez in the attacking midfield). Ballots open on the attacking flanks and in midfield, closing in the friendly against Serbia on 4 June.
SOUTH AFRICA - Group A
Bafana Bafana return to the World Cup after 16 years, as the country that hosted the 2010 edition. A team built in four years by the Belgian Hugo Broos, in his last adventure as a coach, with a strong backbone of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. They are not favourites, but they have identity and zero pressure: the historic objective is the first passage of the round.
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1 Williams (cap.); Mudau, Sibisi, Ndamane, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Zwane, Mofokeng; Foster
Notes: in defense the central pair is on the ballot (Sibisi/Ndamane with Okon and Mbokazi as alternatives); in the attacking midfield, the 36-year-old Zwane is competing for a place with Mbatha.
SOUTH KOREA — Group A
Twelfth participation and eleventh in a row for the Taeguk Warriors, who qualified undefeated. Led by coach Hong Myung-bo and talismanic captain Son Heung-min (now at LAFC), who at 33 years old is chasing the national team's goal scoring record. European-level backbone with Kim Min-jae (Bayern) at the back and Lee Kang-in (PSG) in the midfield. Declared objective: to get through the group.
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1 Kim Seung-gyu; Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Cho Yu-min, Lee Tae-seok; Paik Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom; Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min (ch.); Oh Hyeon-gyu
Notes: Hwang In-beom is in doubt due to an ankle problem (in case, Jens Castrop or Bae Jun-ho). Son can also act as a winger or second striker.
CZECHIA - Group A
Return to the World Cup after 20 years, achieved in daring fashion: two qualifications on penalties in the playoffs (Ireland and Denmark) under the guidance of 74-year-old Miroslav Koubek, who took over during the current campaign. Solid team with character, led by captain Ladislav Krejčí (Wolves) in defence, by Tomáš Souček (West Ham) in the middle and by striker Patrik Schick (Leverkusen) in front.
Probable formation: 3-4-2-1 Horníček; Chaloupek, Hranáč, Krejčí (ch.); Coufal, Souček, Darida, Zelený; Provod, Šulc; Schick
Notes: open run-off between Horníček and Kovář (starter in the playoffs). The three-man defense and the attacking eleven follow the formation of the play-off matches.
GROUP B
CANADA Co-organizer, led by Jesse Marsch, wants to exploit the field factor after returning to the 2022 World Cup. Absolute star Alphonso Davies (Bayern), with Jonathan David in front. 4-4-2: Crépeau; Sigur, Bombito, Jones, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Davies; Oluwaseyi, David — Coach: Marsch
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Return to the World Cup after the only appearance in 2014, won in the playoffs. On the pitch, the eternal Edin Džeko commands, supported by Demirović in attack. 4-4-2: Vasilj; Dedić, Katić, Muharemović, Kolašinac; Bajraktarević, Šunjić, Tahirović, Memić; Demirović, Džeko — CT: Barbarez
QATAR From host country in 2022 to field qualifier in Asia. Julen Lopetegui's team relies on the class of Akram Afif and the goals of Almoez Ali. 4-3-3: Barsham; Al-Oui, Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Al-Amin; Boudiaf, Fathy, Laye; Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali, Afif — Coach: Lopetegui
SWITZERLANDUsual solid and organized Switzerland under Murat Yakin, with an expert block: Akanji in defense, captain Xhaka as director, Embolo in front. 4-3-3: Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodríguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas — Coach: Yakin
GROUP C
BRAZIL The five-time world champions rely for the first time on a foreign coach, Carlo Ancelotti. Verdeoro dragged by Vinícius Jr. and Raphinha. 4-4-2: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Luis Henrique, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Raphinha; Vinícius, Cunha — Coach: Ancelotti Notes: Neymar doesn't fit into the typical eleven; his presence among the protagonists remains in doubt due to his condition and form.
MOROCCO 2022 semi-finalist and reigning African champion, but with a surprise change on the bench: Mohamed Ouahbi in place of Regragui. Standing out in front are Brahim Díaz and the El Kaabi bomber. 4-2-3-1: Good; Hakimi, Diop, Aguerd, Salah-Eddine; Ounahi, El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, Saïbari, Talbi; El Kaabi — CT: Ouahbi Notes: Captain Hakimi's condition to be monitored; former starters En-Nesyri and Boufal are out.
HAITI One of the fairytales of the tournament: second World Cup ever and first since 1974. Sébastien Migné's team with the talent of Bellegarde and Isidor. 4-3-3: Placid; Arcus, Adé, Duverne, Expérience; Deedson, Bellegarde, Pierre; Isidor, Nazon, Providence — CT: Migné
SCOTLAND Return to the World Cup after 28 years (last time in 1998). Steve Clarke trusts the hearts of McTominay, McGinn and Captain Robertson. 4-1-4-1: Gordon; Hickey, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; Ferguson; Gannon-Doak, Christie, McTominay, McGinn; Adams — CT: Clarke
GROUP D
UNITED STATES Co-organizer and great unknown, entrusted to Mauricio Pochettino. Technical leadership to Christian Pulisic, with McKennie and Adams in the middle. 4-3-3: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Trusty, Antonee Robinson; McKennie, Berhalter, Adams; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic — Coach: Pochettino
PARAGUAY Return to the final phase after 16 years, with the rocky defense designed by Gustavo Alfaro. In front the young Enciso and Almirón. 4-4-2: Gill; Cáceres, G. Gómez, Alderete, Alonso; D. Gómez, Ojeda, Bobadilla, Almirón; Enciso, Ávalos — Coach: Alfaro
AUSTRALIA Tony Popović's Socceroos are focusing on solidity and counterattacks, with captain Mat Ryan between the posts and the talent of Irankunda. 5-4-1: Ryan; Italiano, Degenek, Souttar, Circati, Bos; Metcalfe, Devlin, O'Neill, Irankunda; Touré — Coach: Popović
Türkiye Great return 24 years after the last final stage (third in 2002). Vincenzo Montella highlights the jewels Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, with captain Çalhanoğlu in the direction. 3-4-2-1: Çakır; Demiral, Kabak, Bardakçı; Çelik, Çalhanoğlu, Kökçü, Özer; Güler, Yıldız; Aktürkoğlu — Coach: Montella
GROUP E
GERMANY Four-time world champion looking for redemption under Julian Nagelsmann. Twist between the posts: Manuel Neuer (40 years old) returns from retirement as a starter. 4-2-3-1: Neuer; Kimmich (ch.), Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlović, Goretzka; Sané, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz — Coach: Nagelsmann Notes: Musiala returns from a long injury and his physical fitness needs to be checked.
CURAÇAO The most sensational story of the tournament: absolute debut at the World Cup for one of the smallest nations ever, led by 78-year-old Dick Advocaat. In attack the expert Locadia and Tahith Chong. 4-3-3: Room; Sambo, Van Eijma, Obispo, Floranus; J. Bacuna, Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Chong, Locadia, Gorré — Coach: Advocaat
IVORY COAST The Elephants return to the World Cup after two absences, strengthened by the 2023 continental title won with Emerse Faé on the bench. Kessié the lighthouse of midfield. 4-3-3: Fofana; Doué, Koussounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Oulaï; Pépé, Guessand, Diomandé — Coach: Faé
ECUADOR Very strong defense and quality youth under Sebastián Beccacece. Caicedo (Chelsea) and Pacho are the cornerstones, with Páez a rising star. 4-3-3:Galliness; Precious, Orderly, Pacho, Emphasis; Vine, Honeycomb, Castle; Yeboah, Valencia, Angulo — CT: Beccacece
GROUP F
NETHERLANDS Ronald Koeman’s deep and ambitious team, with captain Van Dijk at the back, De Jong–Gravenberch in the middle and Gakpo–Depay up front. 4-2-3-1: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk (cap.), Aké, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch; Malen, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay — CT: Koeman
JAPAN First national to qualify, with a now-veteran Hajime Moriyasu. Scattered European Talent : Kubo, Itō and Captain Endō. 3-4-2-1: Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Taniguchi, Itakura; Doan, Endo, Tanaka, Nakamura; Kubo, Itō; Ueda — CT: Moriyasu Notes: Mitoma remains a luxury alternative ready to fit in with the incumbents.
SWEDEN Playoff qualifier with Graham Potter on the bench and bomber Gyökeres in drag. Physical and vertical team. 3-4-2-1: Nordfeldt; Starfelt, Lagerbielke, Lindelof; Svensson, Karlström, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Nygren, Sun; Gyökeres — CT: Potter Notes: Alexander Isak’s presence/condition, hampered by injuries throughout the season, remains in limbo.
TUNISIA Qualified without scoring, but with a new CT (Sabri Lamouchi) and little time to sit down. Captain Skhiri the leader, Hannibal Mejbri the fantasy. 4-3-3: Dahmen; Valéry, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; West, Skhiri (cap.), Hannibal; Achouri, Mastouri, Tounekti — CT: Lamouchi
GROUP G
BELGIUM Generation in transition under Rudi Garcia, but with real champions: Courtois, De Bruyne and Doku’s explosiveness. 4-2-3-1: Courtois; Chestnut, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Thielemann, Onan; Dock, De Bruyne (cap.), Trossard; De Ketelaere — CT: Garcia
EGYPT Everything revolves around Mohamed Salah, now with support from Marmoush in attack. On the bench the legend Hossam Hassan. 3-4-1-2: El Shenawy; Ibrahim, Abdelmonem, Rabiah; Hany, Ateya, Lasheen, Fatouh; Ashur; Salah, Marmoush — CT: Hassan
IRAN Experienced defense and sharp counter-attack for Amir Ghalenoei, with Taremi offensive reference and Jahanbakhsh on the wing. 4-2-3-1: Beyranvand; Youssef, Canaan, Khalilzadeh, Mohammed; Ezatolahi, Ghoddos; Fierce, Greedy, Lover; Taremi — CT: Ghalenoei
NEW ZEALAND Winner of Oceania, sole representative of the OFC. Darren Bazeley’s physical team with veteran Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) as a terminal. 4-2-3-1: Crocombe; Payne, Bindon, Boxall, Cacace; Stamenić, Bell; McCowatt, Singh, Garbett; Wood — CT: Bazeley
GROUP H
SPAIN The highest-ranked national team and reigning European champion, total game of Luis de la Fuente. Yamal and Pedri the jewelry, Rodri the metronome. 4-3-3: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, N. Williams — CT: From the Fountain
GREEN CAPE Historic debut at the World Cup for one of the smallest nations ever qualified. Well organized team of Bubista, with Livramento tip of reference. 4-2-3-1: Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Lopes Cabral; Lenin, Duarte; Rodrigues, Monteiro, Cabral; Livramento — CT: Bubista
SAUDI ARABIA Rosa almost entirely local and new CT (Georgios Donis, replacing Renard). Absolute leader and captain Salem Al-Dawsari. 4-3-3: Al-Aqidi; Boushal, Tambakti, Al-Amri, Al-Harbi; Kanno, Al-Khaibari, N. Al-Dawsari; Mandash, Al-Buraikan, S. Al-Dawsari (chap.) — CT: Donis
URUGUAY La Celeste by Marcelo Beautiful, intense and aggressive, with a level spine: Araújo, Valverde and Núñez. 4-3-3: Rochet; Varela, Gimenez, Araújo, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur; Canobbio, Núñez, Rodríguez — CT: Bielsa
GROUP I
FRANCE Among the big favorites, last bench of Didier Deschamps. All part of captain Mbappé, with Olise and Doué inventing. 4-2-3-1: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouaméni; Dembélé, Olise, Doué; Mbappé (cap.) — CT: Deschamps
SENEGALAmong the strongest Africans, led by Pape Thiaw. Mané led the way, with Iliman Ndiaye and striker Jackson in front, Koulibaly in defence. 4-2-3-1: Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Mané; Jackson — Coach: Thiaw
IRAQ Sensational return to the World Cup after 40 years (last time in 1986), with the expert Graham Arnold on the bench. Aymen Hussein the offensive reference. 4-2-3-1: Hassan; Hussein Ali, Sulaka, Tahseen, Doski; Al-Ammari, Bayesh; Ali Jasim, Iqbal, Amyn; Aymen Hussein — Coach: Arnold
NORWAY First finals since 1998, and what an attack: Erling Haaland paired with Sørloth, plus Nusa's verve. CT Ståle Solbakken. 4-3-3: Nyland; Ryerson, Heggem, Østigård, Wolfe; Thorstvedt, Berg, Berge; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa — CT: Solbakken Notes: captain Martin Ødegaard is the technical leader and is playing for a starting shirt; evaluate its location/condition.
GROUP J
ARGENTINA Lionel Scaloni's reigning world champion, with Messi chasing the last dance. Quality everywhere, from Julián Álvarez to Mac Allister. 4-3-3: Martínez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, Paredes, Fernández; Messi (cap.), Álvarez, Almada — Coach: Scaloni Notes: Lautaro Martínez is the first alternative in attack, ready to start.
ALGERIA Return to the World Cup after recent disappointments, under Vladimir Petković. Inspiration from Mahrez and goals from Gouiri. 4-2-3-1: Zidane; Belghali, Belaïd, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri; Zerrouki, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Aouar, Chaïbi; Gouiri — Coach: Petković
AUSTRIA Intense and physical team shaped by Ralf Rangnick, with Sabitzer and Baumgartner in the middle and the veteran Arnautović in the area. 4-2-3-1: A. Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; X. Schlager, Seiwald; Wimmer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautović — Coach: Rangnick
JORDAN Historic debut at the World Cup, in the wake of the 2023 Asian Cup final. Coach Jamal Sellami, with Tamari (Montpellier) the undisputed star. 3-4-3: Abulaila; Abu Dahab, Nasib, Al-Arab; Haddad, Al-Rawabdeh, Al-Rashdan; Abu Taha; Tamari, Olwan, Al-Mardi — Coach: Sellami
GROUP K
PORTUGAL Team full of talent under Roberto Martínez, with Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old) at the last World Cup alongside Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes. 4-3-3: Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Inácio, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix — Coach: Martínez
DR CONGO Return to the World Cup after over 50 years (last time as Zaire, 1974). Sébastien Desabre's Leopards are focusing on Wissa and Bakambu. 4-2-3-1: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Pickel, Moutoussamy; Bongonda, Kakuta, Wissa; Bakambu — Coach: Desabre
UZBEKISTAN First qualification ever, with Fabio Cannavaro on the bench. Defender Khusanov (Manchester City) is a jewel, Shomurodov forward. 3-4-2-1: Nematov; Abdullaev, Ashurmatov, Khusanov; Sayfiev, Shukurov, Khamrobekov, Nasrullaev; Ganiev, Urunov; Shomurodov — Coach: Cannavaro
COLOMBIA Quality and experienced team led by Néstor Lorenzo, with James Rodríguez as director and Luis Díaz lighting up the flank. 4-2-3-1: Montero; Muñoz, Sánchez, Mina, Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Arias, James, Díaz; Suárez — Coach: Lorenzo
GROUP L
ENGLAND Among the big favourites, with Thomas Tuchel on the bench. Captain Kane up front, Bellingham and Saka making the difference. 4-2-3-1: Pickford; James, Guéhi, Konsa, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Eze; Kane (cap.) — Coach: Tuchel
CROATIA Finalist 2018 and third in 2022, still clinging to the eternal class of Luka Modrić (40 years old) in a possible last World Cup. Coach Zlatko Dalić. 4-2-3-1: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol; Sučić, Modrić (ch.); Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić; Budimir — CT: Dalić
GHANABlack Stars entrusted to the expert Carlos Queiroz, who took over from Otto Addo. Captain Jordan Ayew, with Semenyo and Iñaki Williams in attack. 3-4-3: Asare; Adjetei, Seidu, Oppong; Yirenkyi, Sibo, Partey, Mensah; Sulemana, Semenyo, Ayew (cap.) — Coach: Queiroz Notes: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) is the star of the team and is pushing hard for a starting shirt.
PANAMA Second participation in the World Cup (the first since 2018), with Thomas Christiansen on the bench. Carrasquilla the engine, Ismael Díaz the inspiration. 3-4-2-1: Mosquera; Fariña, Andrade, Córdoba; Murillo, Carrasquilla, Godoy, Davis; Bárcenas, Díaz; Fajardo — CT: Christiansen
*There may be errors in the English translation. All the best World Cup predictions on Golden Predictions!
