Paris (AFP) - With just three weeks to go until the World Cup kicks off, there are some of the 48 teams that could be considered potential title winners. What are they doing?
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France
France has won the World Cup twice in the last seven editions and lost in the finals twice. This will be the last under coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps, who has been in charge of the French team since 2012, says, “It’s a strange experience right now.” In March, France beat Brazil 2-1. Then they beat Colombia 3-1.
But this was a different France team, with most of the players playing in the United States. France are unbeaten since last June and their attack is extremely sharp. They include Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olis, Ryan Serki. It will be difficult for anyone to stop such a sharp attack.
Spain
European champions Spain are unbeaten since 2024. Luis de La’s team looks strong in itself. The key player of the team is Lamine Yamal. He is a Barcelona winger who has just turned 18. For now, he is trying to recover from his injury. He will probably miss the first two games of the league stage.
His Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez will also miss all the league games. Michael Merino, who scored 8 goals in 10 games for Spain in 2025, has not played since January. But this Spanish team is not weak, because the team still has strong players like Rodri and Pedri.
Argentina
Argentina, led by Lionel Scolani, will have one dream, to defend the World Cup title they won in 2022. Lionel Messi fulfilled his dream of winning the World Cup in that World Cup. However, recently he has not been the same player as before.
The only advantage is that this World Cup is like a home tournament for Messi. He has already scored 12 goals in 13 Major League Soccer games for Inter Miami this year. Argentina also won the Copa America in the United States in 2024. Even without Messi, where is Argentina without a single player?
England
Under the leadership of coach Gareth Southgate, England played the last two Euro finals. This is the team that reached the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022. Now the team has a coach, Germany's Thomas Tuchel. Will the English team's fortunes change under his leadership? England is dreaming of winning its first major title since 1966, and this has not been fulfilled.
England's performance in European qualifiers has remained strong. The team has not had any difficulties. But in recent friendly matches, they have also faced a draw against Uruguay and a defeat against Japan. Harry Kane has maintained the same rhythm for Bayern Munich, and it would be great if he could repeat that at the World Cup.
Portugal
Portugal has not yet passed the semi-finals of the World Cup. But this team is a candidate for the title, especially because of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is now 41 years old, playing in his sixth World Cup. He is not the only high-level player in the team. There are others.
Like Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. Last year's UEFA Nations League winners Portugal's qualifying campaign itself was not good. The match against Ireland was the most memorable. Ronaldo was shown a red card in that one. Ronaldo has not played for Portugal since the victory over the United States in Atlanta.
