ESPN weighs Uzbekistan’s chances at the 2026 World Cup

Spanish sports outlet ESPN has assessed the performance potential of the strongest national teams that have already qualified for, or are most likely to take part in, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ranking includes 87 national teams – some of which have already secured their place at the tournament, while others are still competing in the qualification rounds.

The evaluation was based on two main criteria – the teams’ recent results and the overall market value of their players.

France, led by Didier Deschamps, topped the ranking. At the 2026 World Cup, Les Bleus are expected to feature an attacking lineup of Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé. ESPN notes that France’s attacking depth remains unmatched, with reserve forwards playing for top clubs such as Liverpool, PSG, Inter Milan, and Manchester City. Even defenders from Arsenal, Bayern Munich, or Liverpool could find themselves on the bench – a reflection of France’s extraordinary squad depth. Experts therefore regard France as the main favorite for the 2026 World Cup title.

Spain ranked second in the list, followed by England – the first European team to secure qualification for the tournament.

Uzbekistan, coached by Italian specialist Fabio Cannavaro, was placed 53rd in the ranking. Among Asian teams, Japan earned the highest position, ranking 25th. Other Asian representatives in ESPN’s top 87 include South Korea (42), Australia (45), Iran (48), Uzbekistan (53), the United Arab Emirates (60), Jordan (61), Saudi Arabia (62), and Qatar (73).

Prepared by: Дониёр Тухсинов

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