X-ray of the top contenders 100 days before the World Cup

Questions such as the presence of stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar and the level of Germany , certainties like the good form of Spain and France : the seven favorite teams for the title of the 2026 World Cup are experiencing different moments 100 days before the opening kick-off.

The first World Cup with 48 teams, jointly organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will begin on June 11.

See also: All the news from Gazeta Esportiva Gazeta Esportiva’s YouTube Channel Follow Gazeta Esportiva on Instagram Join Gazeta Esportiva’s WhatsApp channel

In charge of the national team since June last year (four wins, two draws, and two losses), Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti still has work to do to make Brazil feared once again.

The team had the worst campaign in its history in the South American Qualifiers under the current format (28 points in 18 games) and is struggling to find reliable full-backs and center-forwards.

The good news is the excellent form of forwards João Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Igor Thiago, Vinícius Júnior, and Endrick, as well as the experienced midfielder Casemiro.

And the big question mark hovers over Neymar , 34, who has yet to play for the national team under Ancelotti due to recurring injuries.

All signs point to Lionel Messi reaching the record for most World Cup appearances by playing in his sixth edition, a feat he could share with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo . But the Argentine star, who will turn 39 during the tournament, has yet to give his definitive “yes.”

Messi has already said his presence will depend on his physical condition, but his great 2025 season and contract extension with Inter Miami until 2028 suggest he will seek a second consecutive world title with the ‘Albiceleste.’

In the unlikely event they lose their captain, the Argentine team has already proven to be a solid side, comfortably leading the Qualifiers and winning the 2024 Copa América in the United States.

For this, coach Lionel Scaloni has other good options: Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Giuliano Simeone, and Lautaro Martínez.

With the goal of avoiding the embarrassments of 2018 and 2022, when they were eliminated in the group stage, Germany is experiencing a bittersweet moment in pursuit of a fifth title.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann celebrates the return to form of midfielder Jamal Musiala at Bayern Munich but laments the recent injury to goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who may miss the tournament.

Without the natural replacement for Manuel Neuer, who retired from the national team, Nagelsmann opted for Oliver Baumann from Hoffenheim.

The current European champions have several injured players (Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams, Pablo Barrios, Gavi, Samu Aghehowa) or those who have recently recovered (Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand).

Even star Lamine Yamal is having an inconsistent season due to pubalgia issues.

Moreover, coach Luis de la Fuente still does not have a true number 9, and more and more people are calling for him to select Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Joan García, one of the best in the league but not yet in the coach’s plans.

The Finalissima, which will pit Spain and Argentina against each other in Doha on March 27, will be a good indicator of the current form of ‘La Roja.’

After suffering a left knee injury and missing Real Madrid’s recent matches, Kylian Mbappé’s physical condition is France’s main concern.

At the most important moment of the season, the ‘Bleus’ captain was forced to stop after a spectacular start: 38 goals in 33 games for the Merengues.

The other big star, Ousmane Dembélé, is also not at his best. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner has yet to regain his top physical form due to recurring muscle injuries.

With 45 goals and five assists in 37 games for Bayern Munich this season, striker Harry Kane is undoubtedly England’s main player and one of the big stars who will be at the World Cup .

The captain’s good form gives confidence to the ‘Three Lions,’ European runners-up in 2024, who have seen great generations of players disappoint at football’s biggest competition.

But three months before the start of the World Cup , in addition to the likely absence of midfielder Jack Grealish due to injury, the English team still has several good players like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Kobbie Mainoo.

The big question mark? The inconsistent Jude Bellingham.

On the road to 1,000 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal’s main asset in the quest for their first world title.

But the 41-year-old star, who scored 22 goals in 26 games in the 2025/2026 season for Al-Nassr, is not the only weapon for the Portuguese team, which is still recovering from the unexpected death of Diogo Jota in July last year.

Winners of the Nations League in 2025, Portugal is also pinning its hopes on the good form of Bruno Fernandes with Manchester United and the class of Vitinha in the Paris Saint-Germain midfield.

*With content from AFP

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.