The international break is upon us – the focus turns to the national teams. With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, who are the dark horses?
Sweden
There’s no stronger strike partnership than Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. Whilst the pair are yet to start a game together in 2025, they were deployed in a fearsome 3-4-1-2 in the 2024 Nations League. The Swedish team is far more than just the two up top – supporting options include Kulusevski’s creativity between the lines, Elanga’s pace out wide and Bergvall’s emergence in midfield. Having failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, they’ve got a point to prove in 2026. Their mix of youthful energy and proven top-league talent makes them a far more competitive side than their reputation suggests.
Norway
Any team with Erling Haaland in will be a threat, especially with Martin Ødegaard supplying the ammunition. Sander Berge provides control in midfield, enabling Norway to sustain pressure rather than just play purely on the transition. A 3-0 win over Italy in the World Cup Qualifiers has been the standout result from a perfect start, having picked up four wins out of four. Norway’s last World Cup appearance was in 1998, before Haaland was even born. They won’t just be there to make up the numbers though; Norway will fancy a run deep into the knock-outs.
Ecuador
Sitting above Brazil and Uruguay in South American qualifying, Ecuador have built their campaign on defensive stability. They’ve held Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay to goalless draws. The concern is at the other end – only a handful of goals across six qualifiers shows a reliance on narrow margins. Still, Ecuador’s compact system makes them one of the hardest sides to break down on the continent.
Uruguay
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay have shifted into a high-energy pressing unit, blending established experience with stars hitting their peak. Federico Valverde is in the conversation for the best midfielder on the planet at the moment, ably assisted by Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur. The defensive pairing of Giménez and Araújo is as good as any at the tournament. If Darwin Núñez packs his shooting boots, expect Uruguay to go far.
USA
Host nations often perform above and beyond in front of their home crowd. The USA team is stacked with players plying their trade in the biggest leagues. Christian Pulisic remains the headline name, but Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie have provided athleticism and range in midfield, while Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest offer attacking support from full-back. Defeats to Switzerland and Turkey over the summer show that the USA have plenty of work to do to trouble the big boys, but form often goes out of the window in the big tournaments. A generous group stage draw could see momentum carry them further than expected.
Morocco
Semi-finalists in Qatar, Morocco haven’t lost momentum. Five straight wins in 2025 qualifying suggest a team that remains difficult to beat. The goals haven’t been flowing, but tournament football often favours the defensively solid teams. Led by Achraf Hakimi, the best right back in world football, Morocco will at the very least back themselves to replicate their success from 2022.
