World Cup 2026 · Complete — Champions: 🇪🇸 Spain · this edition is now a permanent retrospective

Hidden Gems & First-Timers

Discoveries

The under-the-radar players who could light up the tournament — proven at top clubs but carrying unfancied nations — and the countries stepping onto the World Cup stage for the very first time.

Underrated by Continent

Europe (UEFA)

Ousmane Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé

Midfielder · 🇫🇷 France

Paris Saint GermainParis Saint GermainLigue 1

A standout at Paris Saint Germain in the Ligue 1, Dembélé is France's class act — yet the model gives France just 0.0% to win it all. One of UEFA's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the semi-finals.

Nation title odds0.0%
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland

Forward · 🇳🇴 Norway

Manchester CityManchester CityPremier League

A standout at Manchester City in the Premier League, Haaland is Norway's class act — yet the model gives Norway just 0.0% to win it all. One of UEFA's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Nation title odds0.0%
Harry Kane
Harry Kane

Forward · 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

Bayern MünchenBayern MünchenBundesliga

A standout at Bayern München in the Bundesliga, Kane is England's class act — yet the model gives England just 0.0% to win it all. One of UEFA's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the semi-finals.

Nation title odds0.0%

South America (CONMEBOL)

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi

Forward · 🇦🇷 Argentina

Inter MiamiInter MiamiMajor League Soccer

A standout at Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer, Messi is Argentina's class act — yet the model gives Argentina just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONMEBOL's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. They ultimately fell in the final.

Nation title odds0.0%
Bruno Guimarães
Bruno Guimarães

Midfielder · 🇧🇷 Brazil

NewcastleNewcastlePremier League

A standout at Newcastle in the Premier League, Guimarães is Brazil's class act — yet the model gives Brazil just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONMEBOL's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.

Nation title odds0.0%
Maximiliano Araújo
Maximiliano Araújo

Midfielder · 🇺🇾 Uruguay

Sporting CPSporting CPPrimeira Liga

A standout at Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga, Araújo is Uruguay's class act — yet the model gives Uruguay just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONMEBOL's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the group stage.

Nation title odds0.0%

N. & C. America (CONCACAF)

Malik Tillman
Malik Tillman

Midfielder · 🇺🇸 USA

Bayer LeverkusenBayer LeverkusenBundesliga

A standout at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Tillman is USA's class act — yet the model gives USA just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONCACAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.

Nation title odds0.0%
Stephen Eustáquio
Stephen Eustáquio

Midfielder · 🇨🇦 Canada

FC PortoFC PortoPrimeira Liga

A standout at FC Porto in the Primeira Liga, Eustáquio is Canada's class act — yet the model gives Canada just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONCACAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.

Nation title odds0.0%
Santiago Giménez
Santiago Giménez

Forward · 🇲🇽 Mexico

AC MilanAC MilanSerie A

A standout at AC Milan in the Serie A, Giménez is Mexico's class act — yet the model gives Mexico just 0.0% to win it all. One of CONCACAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.

Nation title odds0.0%

Africa (CAF)

Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi

Defender · 🇲🇦 Morocco

Paris Saint GermainParis Saint GermainLigue 1

A standout at Paris Saint Germain in the Ligue 1, Hakimi is Morocco's class act — yet the model gives Morocco just 0.0% to win it all. One of CAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Nation title odds0.0%
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah

Forward · 🇪🇬 Egypt

LiverpoolLiverpoolPremier League

A standout at Liverpool in the Premier League, Salah is Egypt's class act — yet the model gives Egypt just 0.0% to win it all. One of CAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 16.

Nation title odds0.0%
Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo

Midfielder · 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast

Manchester UnitedManchester UnitedPremier League

A standout at Manchester United in the Premier League, Diallo is Ivory Coast's class act — yet the model gives Ivory Coast just 0.0% to win it all. One of CAF's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 32.

Nation title odds0.0%

Asia (AFC)

Lee Kang-In
Lee Kang-In

Forward · 🇰🇷 South Korea

Paris Saint GermainParis Saint GermainLigue 1

A standout at Paris Saint Germain in the Ligue 1, Kang-In is South Korea's class act — yet the model gives South Korea just 0.0% to win it all. One of AFC's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the group stage.

Nation title odds0.0%
Ko Itakura
Ko Itakura

Defender · 🇯🇵 Japan

AjaxAjaxEredivisie

A standout at Ajax in the Eredivisie, Itakura is Japan's class act — yet the model gives Japan just 0.0% to win it all. One of AFC's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the round of 32.

Nation title odds0.0%
Mousa Tamari
Mousa Tamari

Midfielder · 🇯🇴 Jordan

RennesRennesLigue 1

Proven at Rennes in the Ligue 1, Tamari is Jordan's class act — yet the model gives Jordan just 0.0% to win it all. One of AFC's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the group stage.

Nation title odds0.0%

Oceania (OFC)

Christopher Wood
Christopher Wood

Forward · 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Nottingham ForestNottingham ForestPremier League

Proven at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Wood is New Zealand's class act — yet the model gives New Zealand just 0.0% to win it all. One of OFC's genuine under-the-radar difference-makers. But that run is over — eliminated in the group stage.

Nation title odds0.0%

First-Timers· debut nations

CPV
🇨🇻

Cape Verde Islands

CAF · Group H · 26-player squad

Debut

Cape Verde Islands reach the World Cup for the very first time, drawn into Group H. Their campaign leans on European-based talent like Carlos dos Santos (San Diego).

Coach: Pedro Leitão Brito

JOR
🇯🇴

Jordan

AFC · Group J · 32-player squad

Debut

Jordan reach the World Cup for the very first time, drawn into Group J. Their campaign leans on European-based talent like Noor Al Rawabdeh (Al Najma).

Coach: Jamal Sellami

UZB
🇺🇿

Uzbekistan

AFC · Group K · 27-player squad

Debut

Uzbekistan reach the World Cup for the very first time, drawn into Group K. Their campaign leans on European-based talent like Abduqodir Khusanov (Lens).

Coach: Fabio Cannavaro

CUR
🇨🇼

Curaçao

CONCACAF · Group E · 26-player squad

Debut

Curaçao reach the World Cup for the very first time, drawn into Group E. Their campaign leans on European-based talent like Tyrick Bodak (Telstar).

Coach: Dick Advocaat