The favourites
The usual suspects head the field: the reigning champions, the perennial European powerhouses, and the South American giants. These are nations with deep squads, tournament experience, and a winning pedigree. In a tournament this long, depth matters as much as star power — the eight-match path to the title rewards squads that can rotate without dropping off.
The home-soil factor
The USA, Mexico and Canada all benefit from familiar conditions, partisan crowds and no qualification fatigue. Host nations historically over-perform, and with the bulk of matches in the United States, the co-hosts will fancy their chances of a deep run that exceeds their pre-tournament billing.
The dark horses
Every tournament throws up a surprise package. Look to well-organised sides with a world-class spine and a talismanic forward — teams capable of grinding through a favourable bracket and catching a giant on an off day. The expanded format and extra knockout round can help a disciplined, in-form underdog build momentum.
What will decide it
- Heat and travel — summer conditions across vast distances will test fitness and recovery.
- Squad depth — eight knockout matches reward rotation and resilience.
- Tournament temperament — penalty shootouts and one-off knockout pressure favour the experienced.
- A hot goalkeeper or striker — individual brilliance often tips the finest margins.