Football · FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup

Explore every team, group, knockout and record across editions.

How the predictor works

Each team carries a World Football Elo rating (from eloratings.net, June 2026). The bigger the gap between two teams' ratings, the more likely the stronger side wins. We convert the rating gap into a win/draw/loss split using the standard Elo expected-score formula, with draws most likely when the teams are evenly matched.

It assumes a neutral venue and ignores form, injuries and tactics, so treat it as a conversation starter — not a betting tool. The likely scoreline is a soft illustration derived from the same ratings.

About the data

Squads are the final 26-player lists confirmed by FIFA on 2 June 2026. Appearances, titles and best results come from FIFA World Cup records. The 2026 edition expands to 48 teams in 12 groups — the top two of each group plus the eight best third-placed teams reach the new Round of 32. All figures are for educational and fan use.

Reading a team card

Learn

Each card summarises a nation's World Cup standing at a glance:

<b>Appearances</b> counts every finals tournament including 2026. Brazil leads the 2026 field with 23; four nations — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — are debutants with one.

<b>Titles</b> and <b>best result</b> capture past glory. Seven former champions are in the field (Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, Uruguay, England and Spain); four-time winner Italy failed to qualify.

<b>Elo strength</b> is the rating the match predictor uses. Open a team to see its coach, captain and full squad with clubs and caps.

What it doesn't capture

A rating-only model is deliberately simple. Keep these limits in mind:

  1. 01No form or injuries

    A star striker ruled out or a team peaking at the right time won't move the number — the rating is a season-long average.

  2. 02Neutral venue assumed

    Host advantage and travel are ignored by default. Real World Cup matches at altitude, in heat, or with a home crowd can shift the odds.

  3. 03One match, not the tournament

    The predictor estimates a single game. Knockout football is high-variance — upsets are the whole point of the World Cup.

Frequently asked questions

7 answers
Which teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

All 48 are listed here, grouped A–L. The field includes seven former champions and four debutants — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Notably, four-time winner Italy did not qualify.

How many players are at the 2026 World Cup?

FIFA confirmed 1,245 players on 2 June 2026. Each nation could register up to 26 players, including at least three goalkeepers; a few named fewer than 26.

How does the match predictor work?

It uses each team's World Football Elo rating. The rating gap is converted to win, draw and loss probabilities using the standard Elo expected-score formula, assuming a neutral venue. It's a fun estimate, not betting advice.

Why 48 teams and 12 groups in 2026?

The 2026 World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams across 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new Round of 32.

Who are the host nations?

The 2026 tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

How accurate are the squads and stats?

Squads are the final FIFA-confirmed lists as of 2 June 2026, and appearances/titles come from FIFA World Cup records, captured on 6 June 2026. Late changes (injury replacements) may not be reflected — always check the official FIFA source for the latest.

Is this an official FIFA tool?

No. It's an independent fan reference and educational estimate. It is not affiliated with FIFA, and the predictor should not be used for betting.

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