As the competition approaches, several nations have emerged as genuine contenders. While Argentina arrive as reigning champions, others boast extraordinary talent pools, while a few carry the weight of expectation built over decades
The countdown is almost over. In seven days, the eyes of the football world will once again turn to the FIFA World Cup, the tournament that has produced some of the sport’s greatest moments, biggest upsets and most iconic champions.
For Nigerian fans, however, there remains a familiar feeling of disappointment. The Super Eagles will once again be absent from football’s grandest stage after failing to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup following their painful playoff defeat before Qatar 2022 and another unsuccessful qualification campaign.
Yet Nigeria’s absence is unlikely to diminish local interest. From Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Enugu, millions of Nigerians will still passionately follow the tournament, adopting favourite teams and players while hoping to witness history.
As the competition approaches, several nations have emerged as genuine contenders. While Argentina arrive as reigning champions, others boast extraordinary talent pools, while a few carry the weight of expectation built over decades.
Here is a detailed ranking of the seven teams best positioned to conquer the world.
The Argentines come in as reigning champions and have won the Mundial 3 times in 1978, 1986, 2022 also finishing as runners up thrice in 1930, 1990, 2014, making it a total of six World Cup final appearances.
Argentina enter the tournament carrying the confidence that only champions possess, and would be hoping they can make it at least seven finals.
Their triumph in Qatar 2022 ended a 36-year wait for World Cup glory and “completed” one of football’s greatest stories as Lionel Messi finally secured the one trophy missing from his legendary career.
Unlike many champions who decline after reaching the summit, Argentina have continued to evolve. Under Lionel Scaloni, they have transformed into one of the most tactically disciplined teams in international football.
While Messi remains the face of the team, Argentine fans would argue they are no longer dependent on him, as their squad features elite performers across Europe, including creative midfielders, dynamic attackers and defenders who have excelled at the highest level.
The biggest strength of this team is collective responsibility. Every player understands his role.
Scaloni’s system is known to prioritise defensive compactness, aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and an attempt at Midfield control.
They are comfortable dominating possession but equally capable of sitting deep and striking on the counterattack. That flexibility makes them incredibly difficult to prepare against.
Mentality. This group has repeatedly shown an ability to overcome adversity, whether in penalty shootouts, hostile environments or high-pressure knockout matches.
Age remains a concern as several core players like Lionel Messi, Nicholas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Emiliano Martinez are now deep into their 30s and maintaining peak physical levels throughout a month-long tournament may prove challenging.
9/10
Argentina possess experience, belief, tactical cohesion and perhaps the strongest winning mentality in international football today.
France have been World Champions twice 1998, 2018, and runners up twice as well, 2006, 2022. But no country has matched France’s consistency at major tournaments over the past decade.
They won the World Cup in 2018, reached the final in 2022 and have regularly advanced deep into European Championships.
France’s squad depth is unmatched. Their pool includes world-class performers in virtually every position. From Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, to PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue, not forgetting fleet footed and in-form Michael Olise of Bayern Munich are but a few of the bunch.
Even players left out of the squad would start for many other nations. The team’s attacking firepower remains frightening, while their midfield and defence combine athleticism with technical excellence.
Coach Didier Deschamps has often been criticised for pragmatism, but his approach consistently delivers results.
France rarely dominate possession unnecessarily. Instead, they defend compactly, exploit space quickly on the counter and attack ruthlessly to devastating effect in transition.
Their biggest strength is squad depth. If injuries occur, France can replace key players like for like without significantly weakening the team.
Occasional complacency, especially against perceived smaller nations. France sometimes perform below their level against supposedly weaker opponents, while, internal tensions have also surfaced during previous tournaments.
8.8/10
France possess every ingredient needed to become champions again. This is a team that definitely have its faith in its hands.
Portugal have never won the World Cup before. Remarkably, they have never reached a World Cup final despite producing some of football’s greatest players.
Third place has been their best finish since 1966, and falling to Morocco at the quarter final phase in 2022 is the closest they’ve been in the last decade to the trophy. But, that statistic could change this year.
Portugal’s current generation may be the strongest in their history. Previous Portuguese teams often relied heavily on one superstar but, this squad boasts elite quality throughout the pitch.
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