- France: The 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up, are led by star player Kylian Mbappe and manager Didier Deschamps in his final tournament, aiming to leverage their formidable attacking talent while addressing concerns about cautious tactics from Euro 2024.
- Norway: makes its first World Cup appearance since 1998, spearheaded by prolific striker Erling Haaland, who boasts an exceptional goal-scoring record for his country, alongside captain Martin Odegaard, positioning them as potential dark horses.
- Senegal: Despite a disputed Africa Cup of Nations title, enters the tournament with an experienced squad featuring Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, with numerous players competing in top European leagues, providing a strong foundation for their campaign.
- Iraq: Qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years via intercontinental play-offs, with coach Graham Arnold tasked with guiding them to exceed expectations, featuring key players such as Ipswich's Ali Al-Hamadi and former Manchester United academy graduate Zidane Iqbal.
- Get all the latest news on the Fifa World Cup 2026 here.
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