The greatest football extravaganza on the planet returns this month, as the sport’s global superstars descend on the USA, Canada, and Mexico for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup promises to be the largest yet, expanding to feature 48 nations for the first time, of whom all carry the dream of hoisting aloft football’s most sought after prize on July 19.
It will also be held across three different nations for the first time, and features a range of new laws that will be implemented to help speed up the pace of the game, expand VAR protocols, and manage player behaviour.
For the first time in 16 years, OFC will also be represented at the FIFA World Cup™, with New Zealand returning to the global finals for a third time after appearances in 1982 and 2010.
As the tournament prepares for kick off at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, we’ve decided to take a look at the contenders and challengers for the Jules Rimet Trophy, as well as the New Zealand squad ready to represent Oceania.
The Contenders
Four years ago in Qatar it was Lionel Messi who held the Jules Rimet Trophy for Argentina, defeating France on penalties in one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time. Argentina return with ambitions of becoming just the third nation to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup’s, coasting through South American qualifying and remaining the #1 ranked team on the FIFA World Rankings.
Their opponents in that 2022 final, France, are also amongst the top contenders again, and have been able to pull together a strong squad spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe. The French were winners as recently as 2018, and just like Argentina, also went unbeaten through their European qualifying campaign.
European champions Spain can’t be overlooked either, and feature an attacking-minded young squad, led by 18-year old global sensation Lamine Yamal in his first World Cup. Behind him, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Pedri, combine to create a world-class midfield.
Aside from the trio of top contenders, 5-time world champions Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Thomas Tuchel’s England, and a reinvigorated Netherlands remain a threat.
The Challengers
Outside of the established football superpowers, there are a couple of nations waiting in the wings to make a deep run or go even better by getting their hands on the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time.
Despite having never previously progressed past the Round of 16, Japan are many people’s dark horses and have defeated both Brazil and England in the lead-up to the World Cup. 2022 semi-finalists Morocco are another carrying some expectation, having been awarded the African Cup of Nations title earlier in the year. Both are looking to make history by becoming the first nation outside of either Europe or South America to win a World Cup.
From South America, Colombia were Copa America runners-up in 2024 and produced a 28-game unbeaten run from 2022-2024. They’ll be returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2018, with veteran James Rodriguez still a national icon.
Meanwhile from Europe, Norway are returning to the global finals for the first time since 1998, arguably with the greatest striker in world football at their disposal, Erling Haaland.
What about New Zealand?
Due to the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams and the awarding of a direct qualification spot to OFC for the first time, New Zealand will represent Oceania at a FIFA World Cup for the third time at this year’s edition.
They secured qualification for the tournament with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia in the OFC qualifying final, scoring 29 goals and conceding just once across the course of their qualifying campaign.
It comes 16 years after the All Whites last appearance at the global finals – a memorable campaign which saw New Zealand finish as the only unbeaten team at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Prior to that, New Zealand’s only other appearance at the World Cup came in Spain in 1982, losing all three of their group stage matches to Scotland, the USSR, and Brazil.
This time New Zealand will be captained by all-time goalscorer and appearance-holder Chris Wood – one of only two players who remain in the squad from their last World Cup appearance – and will be coached by Darren Bazeley.
How might they fare?
New Zealand have been drawn into Group G at FIFA World Cup 2026™ alongside European heavyweights Belgium, record African champions Egypt, and Central Asian superpowers Iran. They’ll play their opening match against Iran in Los Angeles on June 15, before heading to Vancouver for their remaining two group stage fixtures with Egypt and Belgium.
Undoubtedly, it’s a tough draw for the All Whites, who have only won two of their 12 matches since qualifying for the World Cup last March and have also only scored a goal in one of their last five fixtures – losing both of their World Cup warm-up matches to Haiti and England.
Those two victories were meaningful ones though, defeating then-African champions Ivory Coast last June, and recording their first victory over South American opposition against Chile at Eden Park just three months ago. Under Bazeley’s guidance since 2023 they’ve also drawn with the USA, Norway, and Tunisia – all of whom will compete at the World Cup.
There is some hope then, and Bazeley has made it clear that the All Whites ambition is to make history by winning a game at the World Cup for the first time during their stay in the USA and Canada. If they do, it may even be enough to reach the knockout stages for the first time, with expanded format meaning eight of the best third-placed teams will also progress.
New Zealand’s World Cup Schedule:
Iran vs New Zealand | Los Angeles Stadium, USA | Monday June 15, 6pm local time (June 16, 1pm NZT)
New Zealand vs Egypt | BC Place Vancouver, Canada |Sunday June 21, 6pm (Monday June 22, 1pm NZT)
New Zealand vs Belgium | BC Place Vancouver, Canada | Friday June 26, 8pm (Saturday June 27, 3pm NZ time)
* OFC will provide coverage of the World Cup with daily wraps and individual match reports for New Zealand fixtures throughout the event.