- England: Under coach Thomas Tuchel and featuring star striker Harry Kane, England carry high expectations to progress deep into the tournament, despite some concerns about their ability to overcome top-tier nations.
- Croatia: Led by veteran captain Luka Modric and coach Zlatko Dalic, aim to continue their strong World Cup record, having been runners-up in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, with a blend of experienced players and emerging talents like Luka Vuskovic.
- Ghana: Coached by Carlos Queiroz, Ghana’s success will depend on attacking players such as Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew, but their World Cup prospects are hampered by defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of squad depth, making their initial match against Panama particularly significant.
- Panama: Making their second World Cup appearance with coach Thomas Christiansen, seek to improve upon their 2018 campaign, bringing an experienced squad that has demonstrated strong performances in recent regional tournaments, including reaching the 2023 Gold Cup final.
- Get all the latest news on the Fifa World Cup 2026 here.
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