World Cup 2026: Argentina dream big, France make history bid, Croatia set for emotional farewell

World Cup 2026: Argentina dream big, France make history bid, Croatia set for emotional farewell The countdown is almost over, with less than 24 hours until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Four years may have passed since Qatar delivered one of the most memorable World Cups in history, but the stories forged in the desert still resonate today. As the most prestigious international tournament returns, we pay tribute to the four teams that stood tallest in 2022 and explore whether they can replicate their success in North America. Lionel Scaloni led Argentina to a long-awaited triumph in the Middle East and is now poised to go back-to-back, with France aiming to bounce back from a heartbreaking final loss. It’ll be equally exciting to see whether Croatia and Morocco can once again defy the odds and force their way into football’s elite on the grandest stage of all. Can Messi do it again? Only two nations in World Cup history have ever defended their crown. Italy did it just before World War II, while Brazil, led by Pele, replicated that feat in the 1960s. France came one step away from joining this select club in Qatar, only to see their valiant effort denied by Lionel Messi’s Argentina in what many consider to be the greatest World Cup final of all time. La Pulga conquered his final peak at Lusail Stadium. Though ‘haters’ would argue that the tournament was rigged so Messi could finally complete his trophy collection, the man from Rosario wrote the final chapter of an extraordinary footballing story. Or was it the final chapter? Four years on, Scaloni’s men arrive in North America with the same ambition that drove them in the Middle East. Armed with a battle-tested core and arguably the greatest player in football history, La Albiceleste have every reason to believe they can achieve what no reigning champion has managed in more than six decades. However, the task is nothing short of Herculean. Yet, if anyone can spring a miracle, although it won’t be one in its strictest sense, it’s the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. France seeking history Despite Argentina breaking their hearts in Qatar, France are on the brink of another World Cup milestone as they enter the tournament as one of the top contenders for the title. A road to the final is tumultuous and full of hurdles, yet it’d take a brave man to bet against Les Bleus going all the way in North America after two remarkable World Cup campaigns. Reaching another title-deciding fixture would see France become only the second nation in tournament history to appear in three consecutive finals, joining the Brazil side that achieved the same record between 1994 and 2002. Motivation won’t be in short supply, knowing this will be Didier Deschamps’ farewell World Cup in charge of the two-time world champions, whose attacking potential is bursting at the seams. From Kylian Mbappe to Michael Olise, Les Bleus may just be the most intimidating team on paper, with all due respect to the likes of Spain, Brazil, Argentina and England. If they can navigate another treacherous path to the final, Deschamps could bow out in the most fitting manner possible – by cementing France’s place among the greatest World Cup dynasties the game has ever seen. End of an era After being trounced by France in the 2018 final, many believed Croatia had reached their ceiling, with the country’s golden generation seemingly destined to fade into footballing folklore. Zlatko Dalic’s men were quick to silence their detractors in Qatar, making another deep run, though this time, there was no way past eventual winners Argentina in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, Luka Modric captained his team to a respectable bronze medal, and the 40-year-old superstar now gears up for his last dance. There’s little doubt he’ll do everything to make it one to behold. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time, Modric cemented his place among football’s immortals by inspiring his national team to unimaginable success. Meanwhile, his retirement from the national team will mark the end of the most successful era in Croatian football history. In a tournament many will probably remember as Messi’s or Cristiano Ronaldo’s final, we cannot afford to overlook one of the last true magicians of the beautiful game. We owe him that much! Lightning never strikes twice, or does it? It’ll be up to Morocco to prove that their extraordinary run to the semi-finals in Qatar was no flash in the pan after the Atlas Lions shattered long-standing barriers to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup’s final four. Heavyweights were falling like dominoes during Morocco’s Cinderella run in 2022, with Spain on the receiving end in the round of 16 and Portugal suffering the same fate in the quarter-finals. Walid Regragui’s side ultimately failed to return home with a medal, slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in a third-place match, but they earned something much more valuable than silverware. Indeed, they earned the respect and admiration of the entire footballing world, and now, they can no longer count on opposition underestimating them, with expectations soaring both at home and abroad. Fresh off one of the most controversial Africa Cup of Nations triumphs, Morocco will be looking to upset the established order once again and confirm Qatar wasn’t just a one-off. A winning start may go a long way, especially with Brazil set to put their credentials to the sternest of tests in a mouth-watering Group C opener. Top football stories From World Cup Willie to Tip and Tap – a nostalgic nod to the era of lovably quirky mascots New Jersey to offer 770 free World Cup tickets for games at MetLife Stadium Mexico will be on fire if we win the World Cup Football Today features Spain boss provides encouraging Lamine Yamal update ahead of World Cup opener FIFA are seriously considering a 64-team tournament at the 2030 World Cup Neville backs Kane to become England’s and the Premier League’s greatest-ever goalscorer What to watch With France widely expected to fight for the crown, all eyes will be on Mbappe. However, after a superb season with Bayern Munich, Olise could emerge as Les Bleus’ new hero. Deschamps’ final attempt to become only the second manager in World Cup history to win two titles after Vittorio Pozzo may well rest on the 24-year-old’s shoulders. In the meantime, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is likely to keep close tabs on the skilled winger, who could make a mega-money transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu after the tournament.