Pick the team you think will lift the trophy on July 19, then test your World Cup knowledge with a quick five-question quiz. Your pick is saved on this device — come back after the final to see if you called it.
Every World Cup has its favorites, but the tournament rarely goes to script — Germany were eliminated in the group stage in 2018 as defending champions, and Morocco reached the semi-finals as outsiders in 2022. With 48 teams and a brand-new knockout format starting at the Round of 32, 2026 has more paths to the final than any World Cup before it. Below, pick the nation you think will be lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19 — based on FIFA rankings, squad depth, and group draw difficulty, these eight sides are considered the leading contenders.
Tap a team below. You can change your pick any time before the final.
How well do you really know the World Cup? Answer all five to get your score.