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The World Cup is nearly here, and it's bigger than ever.With an expanded field, more teams from every region had an opportunity to reach the finals. As the matches approach, USA TODAY Sports ranks all 48 teams from least likely to lift the trophy to most likely.Is Argentina the favorite to repeat? Can a minnow pull off a shock? And who's the dark horse?Here are the full rankings:48. CuracaoThe debutants make for an amazing story, but their group would be difficult even for a much larger nation.47. JordanAlready underdogs, Jordan couldn't afford to see key players go down with injury like it has.46. QatarSince narrowly securing qualification, Qatar hasn't won a match. Preparations being disrupted by the war in Iran is understandable, but it's tough to see them delivering a better showing than 2022.45. Cape VerdeAnother new face in the World Cup, the Blue Sharks are going to need some heroic performances from veteran players to get anything out of their first trip to the biggest stage.44. New ZealandThough they were defensively stout, results in 2025 were not positive for Darren Bazeley's squad, which will also have to prove it can defend against top teams.43. IraqGraham Arnold's squad overcame many obstacles to qualify from FIFA's intercontinental playoff, but a spot in the "Group of Death" is a rude reward.42. Saudi ArabiaA late managerial change rarely portends success, though March's friendlies didn't go well at all for the Green Falcons.41. PanamaCentral America's only representative in the World Cup would be higher were it not for two big blows: Uncertainty around do-it-all midfielder Coco Carrasquilla's fitness and getting drawn into a group with England, Croatia and Ghana.40. CzechiaThe draw for our lowest-ranked European team is favorable, but they'll still need to muck things up and get a bit fortunate in front of goal to move on.39. TunisiaThe AFCON was unimpressive, and the attack is too unpredictable to expect big things in Mexico (and one U.S. game).38. UzbekistanOur highest-ranked debutant, Uzbekistan has some real talent, but they're yet to be tested against the types of teams they're about to face.37. HaitiMore than just a remarkable story, Haiti blend veteran national team players with new recruits who play in top European leagues.36. IranA clear second-best in Asian qualification, it will be difficult to block out the off-field situation, even if staying in Tijuana is an elegant solution to the 'problem' of the team not spending the night in the U.S.35. South AfricaHugo Broos' squad is heavily domestic-based, but the standouts tha t are based abroad raise the level on a disciplined group.34. Bosnia & HerzegovinaThey clawed their way past Italy to get to the World Cup after a pair of tight March playoff games. Sergej Barbarez's style of aggressive defending may see them grind out a point or two, but perhaps not many more.33. AlgeriaAlgeria made quick work of its World Cup qualification group and outlasted fellow World Cup team DR Congo at the AFCON in the first knockout game, but the ceiling isn't as high as Fennecs teams of the past.32. ParaguayGustavo Alfaro's teams are rarely thrilling to watch, but he has a system that works with Paraguay - and even has seen a few attackers start to produce as well.31. DR CongoThe staunch defense will cause problems in their group, but even with a few top-level attackers, the scoring struggles can't be ignored.30. ScotlandQualification was sensational, and Scott McTominay continues to star, but there still seems to be a limit to where this team's talent can take it.29. EgyptThe defense looks dialed in, but if Mo Salah doesn't score, then it often feels like no one will, which was the issue in AFCON defeats to Senegal in the semifinals and Nigeria in the third-place game.28. SwedenWhich Sweden is the real team? The one that slumped to a last-place spot in World Cup qualification? Or the one that made relatively work of Ukraine and Poland in the playoff to get here behind a player like Viktor Gyökeres?27. AustraliaCristian Volpato's inclusion should boost Australia rather than cause friction, but they're still yet to excel against top teams.26. GhanaThe decision to bring in Carlos Queiroz will certainly lead to a certain style of soccer. It won't be fun to watch for neutrals, but perhaps it will suit a Ghana squad far too leaky at the back in the pre-tournament friendly matches.25. South KoreaWhile heavily dependent on Son Heung-Min and Lee Kang-In, the path is there for Korea to come out of the group in Mexico - and perhaps make some noise after.24. AustriaLeaders David Alaba and Marko Arnautović are both past 30, but the veteran squad has been on fire ever since qualification was in the picture.23. Ivory CoastManager Emerse Fae gets a few of the regulars who missed the African Cup of Nations back, and the March window went well. The group opener against Ecuador is crucial.22. TurkeyThere's no doubt the creativity is present in this squad with Arda Guler and Kenan Yıldız, but with a converted center forward playing as a No. 9, manager Vincenzo Montella has had to settle for a lot of 1-0 results.21. CanadaThe North American co-hosts would be much higher if Jesse Marsch could have confidence his team is fully fit. As it stands, too many key players ended the season with their clubs on the injury report to feel great about a deep run.20. UruguayA team that almost always pulls in the same direction experienced some dissent, but Marcelo Bielsa still brings a talented group back to North America after their third-place finish at the 2024 Copa América.19. MoroccoThe AFCON champions on paper, the performances during the tournament weren't all that convincing. Plus, a new manager leading the way after Walid Regragui left in March will have to work quickly to have any hope of replicating 2022's magic.18. SwitzerlandA good draw and a balanced team set Switzerland up to be a potential dark horse in the tournament, especially if forward Breel Embolo can get hot.17. CroatiaAfter podium finishes in the past two editions of the tournament, bet against Croatia at your own peril. But even with a strong, young defense, Luka Modric at 40 and Ivan Perisic at 37 have to slow down at some point.16. ColombiaJames Rodriguez won't be named best player of the tournament like he was in the 2024 Copa América as the Cafeteros made the final of the South American championship, but with Luis Díaz leading the attack and the same back line returning, they don't need him to shoulder as much of the load.15. JapanJapan will miss the injured Kaoru Mitoma, but there is still plenty of talent for a team that showed in qualification that it's the class of Asia.14. NorwayMost fans know Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. If casuals come away learning the names of defenders, it will mean a successful tournament.13. United StatesThe hosts have the potential to win over the nation and ride fan support to the best finish in the modern era. They also could totally collapse like they did in both March friendly matches and crash out in the group stage.12. MexicoHopes aren't high for El Tri, but if they can win the group they'll stay in Mexico for the next two (potential) knockout matches - a huge boost given the crowd and the altitude.11. BelgiumJeremy Doku tortured the United States and Mexico during the March window and with Kevin De Bryune and Youri Tielemans operating behind him, it's a Belgian team that once again looks like they could make a run.10. EcuadorWhat's not to like? Sebastián Beccacece has a group of dynamic attackers and top-level defenders, many of whom came through the Independiente del Valle academy. Veteran forward Enner Valencia must be effective in front of goal, though.9. SenegalReports of dissent between manager Pape Thiaw and the federation are concerning, but the vibes were fantastic in March when Senegal showed off its African Cup of Nations trophy in France, then back home. Africa's best hope, the back line will fluster even top attacks.8. PortugalCristiano Ronaldo can be a contributor, but the talent around him is perhaps even more important. Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Vitinha all will be more critical to their long-term success.7. BrazilCarlo Ancelotti has a less talented team than most Brazil squads of old - and including Neymar in the team was only further proof. Yet, even a 'bad' Brazil still has a lot of merit.6. GermanyThere is loads of experience in the Germany team, perhaps making the omission of game-changing teenager Said El Mala all the more surprising.5. NetherlandsThe Netherlands has lost once since exiting Euro 2024 in the semifinals, with its reliable back line shutting teams down. Memphis Depay is a wild card, but if he gets hot things could go very well.4. EnglandWith Thomas Tuchel managing the squad and Harry Kane in superb form in front of goal, an England triumph could come by way of Munich.3. ArgentinaThe defending champions still boast Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Dibu Martinez and other stars of 2022, but there are too many questions about fitness - including Messi's - to see them top the list.2. FranceDembélé, Mbappé, Tchouaméni, Upamecano, the names go on for France. Didier Deschamps needs to keep the vibes high, and the sky is clearly the limit.1. SpainGetting a clean bill of health for Lamine Yamal would solidify this ranking, but the current European champions haven't lost in 28 matches - a streak that is impossible to ignore.
