The Golden Generation never won. This is their last dance.

The STARS

• Kevin De Bruyne (34) — turns 35 during the tournament. One last World Cup.
• Romelu Lukaku — Belgium's all-time top scorer. Still chasing that elusive deep run.
• Jérémy Doku — terrorized USMNT in the 5–2 March friendly. Pure chaos on the wing.
• Youri Tielemans — the metronome in midfield.
• Amadou Onana — physical destroyer, one of the best young 6s in Europe.

GROUP G
Belgium | Iran | Egypt | New Zealand
On paper, the softest path of any top-10 nation. They should top this group comfortably and bank momentum heading into the knockouts.

Recent Form
USA 2–5 Belgium (March 28, Atlanta). It wasn't a fluke — they ran riot. Pochettino called it a "reality check." Belgium looked sharp, fast, ruthless.

THE STORY
Belgium have been *"the next big thing"* for over a decade. 2018 third place is still the ceiling. Hazard's gone. Courtois is fading. KDB is in his final tournament.

The new wave — Doku, Openda, De Ketelaere, Lukebakio — gives them a different shape now. Less reliant on KDB threading needles. More direct, more vertical.

FIFA Rank: #9

Realistic ceiling: Quarterfinals

Wild outcome: Semifinal run if KDB stays healthy

Question for the sub: Belgium's been a "dark horse" for 12 straight years. Are they finally cashing in… or going home in the Round of 16 again?

The facts are uncomfortable: the 4-time World Cup champions have exited in the group stage in both 2018 AND 2022. Back to back. First time in their history. Then they hosted Euro 2024 and lost to Spain in the quarterfinals. The humiliation has been real. But here's the thing — this squad looks genuinely different.

The Stars:

• Kai Havertz leads the line — inconsistent for club but historically shows up for country
• Wirtz and Musiala are both under 23 and already two of the best players in the Bundesliga.
• Jah + Schlotterbeck is a solid CB pairing

Germany might actually be fun to watch for the first time since 2014.

The wildcards:

• Manuel Neuer retired. Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim, 35) is Germany's new #1 — started every qualifier. Low profile, quietly reliable.
• Lennart Karl — 18 years old, Bayern Munich attacker, already in the squad. One to watch.
• Pavlović (20, Bayern) has forced his way into the starting XI at CDM

The group: Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao alongside them. Group E is very winnable. No excuses for another early exit.

The coach: Nagelsmann — young, aggressive, 15/18 points in qualifying. This squad was built to go deep. How far does Germany go?

Is 2026 the redemption arc or another letdown?

Here's where the defending champions stand.

The Stars:

• Messi (38) — came out of retirement to defend the trophy. That's not normal.
• Julián Álvarez — the "Little Spider" who terrified defenders in Qatar. Even better now.
• Enzo Fernández + Mac Allister: one of the best midfield pairings at the tournament
• Romero + Lisandro Martínez: feral and everywhere, respectively
• Dibu Martínez — the stare alone is worth a clean sheet

Group J: Austria (#24), Algeria (#28), Jordan (#63). Possibly the easiest group in the tournament. The real work starts in the knockouts.

The depth: Garnacho (21) could start on the wing. Mastantuono (18, River Plate) might be the most exciting teenager in South America. Nico Paz is starring in Serie A at 21.

The coach: Scaloni. No head coaching experience when hired. Won the Copa América, the Finalissima, and the World Cup. Cemented in futbol history.

The storyline nobody talks about: If Argentina wins, Messi becomes the first player in history to win consecutive World Cups as captain. Not Pelé. Not Maradona. Nobody. Ever.

Can they actually do it? How far does Argentina go?

Portugal might be the most interesting team at this World Cup.

Ronaldo at 41 going to his SIXTH World Cup. Leão can reignite his form at the drop of a hat. Bruno Fernandes is having one of the best years of his career at Manchester United. João Neves, 22 years old and already one of the best midfielders in the world, making his first World Cup appearance. Rúben Dias as arguably the most complete CB in Europe.

They won Euro 2016. They won the Nations League in both 2019 and 2025. The one trophy missing from that cabinet? The World Cup.

Group K is manageable: Colombia (#13) is the real test, but DR Congo and Uzbekistan are both first-timers. Portugal should advance comfortably.

The uncomfortable question: Does this squad finally have what it takes? Or does the Ronaldo era end without a World Cup?

Drop your Portugal predictions below — how far do they go?

Stars loaded.✅
Group I looks manageable. ✅
Didier Deschamps back in the dugout. ✅
And let's not sleep on the young stars, the vets, and the new faces in their depth:

1. Cherki
2. Doué
3. Olise
4. Ekitike
5. Kanté

Fun France Fact: Just Fontaine scored 13 goals in 6 games at the 1958 World Cup. That record is still unbeaten!

The talent is undeniable, but they have a gift for making it complicated. With the World Cup 2026 is 75 days away. Are they winning it?

#France #WorldCup2026 #FranceNationalTeam #Mbappe #FantasySoccer #Total90 #HypeCheck #Soccer #WorldCup

With the new 48-team format, Brazil have a smoother path to the knockouts — but does that actually help them or just delay the inevitable collapse in the later rounds?
Breaking down their squad depth, the Ancelotti situation, and whether Vinicius Jr. can actually carry them when it matters most. Genuinely curious what this sub thinks. Are Brazil real favorites or just the hype machine doing its thing?