As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off tonight, the world’s top six teams — Argentina (World No. 1), Spain (No. 2), France (No. 3), England (No. 4), Portugal (No. 5), and Brazil (No. 6) — are in prime position to get their hands on football’s biggest prize.

Brazil’s briliance 

No nation embodies World Cup success quite like Brazil (World No. 6). The five-time champions have traditionally been were the flag-bearers of international football across the late 20th century and early 2000s. Between 1994 and 2006, Brazil reached three World Cup finals, winning two. However, the years that followed brought disappointment. The painful 1-7 semi-final defeat to Germany in 2014 followed by quarter-final exits in 2018 and 2022, have left Brazilian fans waiting for a return to their golden age. Experienced manager, Carlo Ancelotti has some world-class performer this time in Neymar Junior, Raphinha, and Vinicius Junior, among others.