Brazil
(Best result: Champion, 22 appearances, 6th in world ranking)
The five-time champions and World Cup icons need no introduction. Brazil might not have won it since 2002 and head to the States with relatively low expectations for their lofty standards but the World Cup wouldn’t be the same without the South American giants. Aside from claiming the 2002 crown in Japan, A Selecao were world champions in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994.
The only final Brazil have lost was the 1998 final in France, so you can fancy their chances if they make it to the final on July 19th. Incredibly, they have qualified for every single World Cup in history.
Brazil are currently sixth in the FIFA world rankings.
Path to the finals
Brazil got off to a good start to South American qualifying, winning three of their first four games, but it was against nations they would expect to beat. However, their qualifying campaign quickly derailed after that as they won just one of their next five games in a run that included a humbling 4-1 defeat against their biggest rivals, Argentina.
Losing in that manner to Argentina and finding themselves at risk of not qualifying, the Brazil FA were forced into parting ways with head coach Dorival Junio at the end of March and in May, legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti was appointed his successor.
That would prove to be a timely change as under Ancelotti, Brazil won three of their final four qualifying matches to secure the top-five finish they needed to book their place in the United States.
Key player
Vinicius Junior is growing into a world-class player, but is yet to shine for the national side. Under his former Real Madrid boss, Ancelotti however, can that change this summer?
Editor’s view
Brazil are no longer feared by their rivals, and their 26-man squad is underwhelming compared to the star-studded squads of past tournaments. They struggled to score goals throughout qualifying and a fifth-place finish to sneak into the World Cup was a far cry from Brazilian teams of the past. They possess quality in core positions, and if star players like Raphinha and Vini Jr. can finally step up for their country, Brazil have the potential to go further than many anticipate.
Flashscore prediction
The expectation in Brazil will always be to win the World Cup but we think the media will be forgiving if they reach the quarter-finals this time around, and that is where we think their tournament will end. Brazil should always be aiming to make the semi-finals at least but given their woes in qualifying and a squad that isn’t what it once was, the quarter-finals would be more than acceptable.
Fixtures
June 13th, 23:00 BST: Brazil v Morocco - New York New Jersey Stadium
June 20th, 01:30 BST: Brazil v Haiti - Philadelphia Stadium
June 24th, 23:00 BST: Scotland v Brazil - Miami Stadium
Morocco
(Best result: semi-final, six appearances, 8th in world rankings)
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was a historic one for Morocco. After stunning one of the tournament's favourites, Portugal, in the quarter-finals, they became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals. The 2026 edition will be Morocco’s third consecutive World Cup and seventh total appearance after previously qualifying in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018 and 2022.
Morocco are currently eighth in the world rankings.
Path to the finals
Unlike Brazil, Morocco had a seamless qualification to the finals after winning Group E in African qualifying and becoming the first African side to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup. After winning their first six group games, Morocco thrashed Niger 5-0 in matchday seven to guarantee their World Cup place. Morocco would end World Cup qualifying with eight wins from eight, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two.
It can’t get much more resounding than that.
Key player
After winning his second successive Champions League with PSG, Achraf Hakimi will be on top of the world heading into his second World Cup. He is an influential figure going forward as he is staying back for the Atlas Lions, and will be a key figure if they are to go deep once more in the Americas.
Editor’s view
Morocco have every chance of having another very successful tournament in the United States. Even though the circumstances in which they were crowned African Cup of Nations earlier this year was extremely controversial, The Atlas Lions still had a brilliant tournament, and just like in Qatar four years ago, they showcased a level of togetherness, team spirit and quality that make them a danger this summer.
With quality players in almost every position and an impressive track record in tournament football, Morocco are very much ones to watch.
Flashscore prediction
Some of the big World Cup nations look a lot stronger heading to the States than they did four years ago, and because of that, it is hard to see Morocco having such a good tournament, but they will be hard to beat.
With that in mind, Morocco will bow out at the quarter-final stage.
Fixtures
June 13th, 23:00 BST: Brazil v Morocco - New York New Jersey Stadium
June 19th, 23:00 BST: Scotland v Morocco - Boston Stadium
June 24th, 23:00 BST: Morocco v Haiti - Atlanta Stadium
Haiti
(Best result: Group stages, one appearance, world ranking 83rd)
Haiti are preparing for just their second World Cup appearance, with their only other qualification coming 52 years ago in 1974. In that World Cup, Haiti were drawn in a group of death that included Italy, Argentina and Poland. Unsurprisingly, they lost all three group games and headed home at the earliest opportunity. Haiti are ranked 83rd in the FIFA world rankings.
Path to the finals
After reaching the third stage of qualifying in North & Central America, Haiti made a slow start to the final stage of qualifying as they drew their opening two games against Honduras and Costa Rica. However, they then won three of their last four games, with their only setback coming away to Honduras. With Costa Rica and Honduras drawing in the final group games, Haiti secured their World Cup berth with a 2-0 win at home to Nicaragua
Key player
In a team starved of world-class quality, Wilson Isidor shines through. He is one of two Premier League players in the squad - alongside Jeanricher Bellegrade of relegated Wolves - and has proven himself with Sunderland this season. On national duty, he is still yet to find his feet, after making his debut in March after confirming his allegiance to Haiti. He did score in that game against Iceland, to show some promise.
Editor’s view
Haiti should be incredibly proud to make it to this World Cup, especially to win a difficult group that included Costa Rica, who had qualified for the last three tournaments before this one. Expectations are low heading to the States and in a group with five-time champions Brazil and Africa’s best, Morocco: it is a huge challenge. If Haiti avoid defeat in one of their three games to go one better than in 1974, they will go home feeling like they have maximised their potential.
Flashscore prediction
Haiti will be pinning their hopes on getting a result against Scotland, but given the strength of the Scots, it feels like a long shot. Three defeats from three and last in the group is our prediction. Wilson Isidor’s decision to represent Haiti might prove crucial to their chances, and he does boost Haiti’s hopes of getting a draw against Scotland after scoring six goals in his debut season in the Premier League.
Fixtures
June 14th, 02:00 BST: Haiti v Scotland - Boston Stadium
June 19th, 01:30 BST: Brazil v Haiti - Philadelphia Stadium
June 24th, 23:00 BST: Morocco v Haiti - Atlanta Stadium
Scotland
(Best result: Group stage, eight appearances, 43rd in world ranking)
Scotland are heading to their first World Cup in 28 years, as their last appearance came all the way back in France 1998. Scotland have appeared in eight World Cups in their history (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1998), but in those appearances, they have never made it past the group stages. Scotland are currently ranked 43rd in the world rankings.
Path to the finals
After holding the pre-group favourites Denmark in their opening qualifier, Scotland won their next three games before a shock 3-2 defeat in Greece in matchday five.
Impressively though, that would prove to be Scotland’s only defeat in qualifying as they bounced back to win a crucial group decider against rivals Denmark at Hampden Park to dramatically book their place at the World Cup and end 28 years of hurt.
Key player
Scott by name, Scot by nature - Scott McTominay is the definitive Scottish international. He is an all-action box-to-box midfielder and has flourished under the tutelage of Steve Clarke. His overhead kick against Denmark in the play-off showed just how valuable he is to his side, and after another successful season in Serie A, he is ready to kick on further at this World Cup.
Editor's view
On the one hand, Scotland will be happy just to be at the World Cup after being absent from the past six tournaments. On the other hand, they will be desperate to make the most, as it will be easier than ever to make it out of the group stages. Scotland also have somewhat of a golden generation with star players like John McGinn and McTominay playing leading roles at Aston Villa and Napoli, respectively.
Flashscore’s prediction
Scotland will have had a very good tournament if they make it out of the group stages for the first time, but we believe they will, as one of the best third-place teams. It would probably mean beating Haiti by a big margin and not losing too badly to Brazil and Morocco, and there is every reason to believe they can do that.
Fixtures
June 14th, 02:00 BST: Haiti v Scotland - Boston Stadium
June 19th, 23:00 BST: Scotland v Morocco - Boston Stadium
June 24th, 23:00 BST: Scotland v Brazil - Miami Stadium