But before there is glory, there is the group stage. In its current format, first utilized in France at the 1998 edition – France’s first triumph at the Copa Mundial – the world cup opens with its 32 participants sorted into 8 groups of 4. In each group, 2 survive, and 2, do not.
With the groups set – at a ceremony watched by 1.6 million– a comprehensive look at the 32 contestants is overdue. We will chart each national team’s history, their journey to Qatar, their strengths, weaknesses, and anything else that might help us determine who is destined for glory, and who is set to get grouped.
Key Factors
Performance denotes how a national team has recently performed. For a loose estimation of “how good they have been”, we’ll use two metrics, FIFA Rankings, and Elo Ratings.
FIFA Rankings rank teams based on results. Teams get 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. These points are then multiplied or divided based on various factors including recency, the type of competition the game took place in, and how good the opposing team is. FIFA Rankings are, relative to Elo Ratings, less reactive. They account for less factors, weigh competition type less, and don’t penalize knockout losses. This means they approximate longer stretches of “performance” than…
Elo Ratings are largely the basis for the current formula used for FIFA Rankings. They are similar to FIFA Rankings but have a few key differences. They factor in goal-difference – the margin of victory – when taking or giving points, weigh competition type more, and penalize teams for knockout losses. This makes them more reactive, meaning they approximate shorter stretches of “performance”.
Talent denotes how good the individual players on a national team are. For a loose estimation of “how good is this team on paper”, we’ll use two metrics, Transfermarkt Valuations(TMV), and – courtesy of redditor u/bl4klotus – World Cup Depth Chart Scores(WCDCS).
Transfermarkt Valuations are crowd-sourced estimates of player value. Valuations are derived from discussion and consensus as opposed to a formula. While subjective, they are taken seriously by those in the professional business of soccer. We’ll use the average TMV of each national team’s World Cup roster. As all players on a world cup roster influence the average, this ranking will skew towards depth.
World Cup Depth Chart Scores are averages based on my World Cup Positional Depth Chart, which guesses the most talented possible assortment of players that could start for each national team and then sorts everyone from that theoretical lineup into one of 5 tiers. As this average is only influenced by the best 11, it will skew towards stars.
Various other points will be considered, but these measures provide a baseline we can work off. Here’s how all 32 teams compare via these metrics:
Performance of World Cup Teams Talent of World Cup Teams
No
FIFA
Rank
Elo
Rank
No
TMV
Rank
WCDCS
Rank
1
Brazil
1
Brazil
1
1
England
1
Brazil
T-1
2
Belgium
2
Argentina
2
2
Brazil
2
Spain
T-1
3
Argentina
3
Spain
3
3
France
3
France
3
4
France
4
Netherlands
4
4
Portugal
4
Germany
4
5
England
5
Belgium
5
5
Germany
5
Portugal
5
6
Spain
7
France
6
6
Spain
6
England
6
7
Netherlands
8
Portugal
7
7
Argentina
7
Belgium
7
8
Portugal
9
Denmark
9
8
Netherlands
8
Argentina
8
9
Denmark
10
Germany
10
9
Belgium
9
Netherlands
9
10
Germany
11
Uruguay
11
10
Uruguay
10
Croatia
10
11
Croatia
12
Switzerland
12
11
Croatia
11
Switzerland
11
12
Mexico
13
Croatia
13
12
Serbia
12
Uruguay
12
13
Uruguay
14
England
14
13
Denmark
13
Denmark
13
14
Switzerland
15
Serbia
16
14
Senegal
14
Senegal
14
15
United States
16
Ecuador
18
15
Switzerland
15
United States
15
16
Senegal
18
Iran
21
16
United States
16
Serbia
16
17
Wales
19
Mexico
22
17
Poland
17
Poland
17
18
Iran
20
Poland
23
18
Morocco
18
Mexico
18
19
Serbia
21
United States
T-24
19
Ghana
19
Japan
19
20
Morocco
22
Japan
T-24
20
Canada
20
Morocco
20
21
Japan
24
Wales
26
21
Mexico
21
South Korea
T-21
22
Poland
26
South Korea
28
22
South Korea
22
Ghana
T-21
23
South Korea
28
Canada
29
23
Wales
23
Wales
T-23
24
Tunisia
30
Morocco
32
24
Cameroon
24
Ecuador
T-23
25
Costa Rica
31
Costa Rica
35
25
Japan
25
Canada
T-25
26
Australia
38
Australia
39
26
Tunisia
26
Cameroon
T-25
27
Canada
41
Tunisia
T-43
27
Iran
27
Costa Rica
27
28
Cameroon
43
Senegal
T-43
28
Ecuador
28
Saudi Arabia
28
29
Ecuador
44
Qatar
49
29
Australia
29
Iran
29
30
Qatar
50
Saudi Arabia
54
30
Saudi Arabia
30
Tunisia
30
31
Saudi Arabia
51
Cameroon
61
31
Costa Rica
31
Australia
31
32
Ghana
61
Ghana
74
32
Qatar
32
Qatar
32
Let’s begin.
Previews for each of the 8 groups will be released over the next week. We’ll start with Group A, and end with Group H.
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.
The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.
It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?
The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.
The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60
Gold Cup Player Stats
Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.
17-Kasey Keller 11-Tim Howard 8-Tony Meola 7-Matt Turner
Shutouts
14-Kasey Keller 8-Tim Howard 6-Tony Meola 6-Matt Turner
Captain
10-Michael Bradley 10-Kasey Keller 9-Carlos Bocanegra 8-Tony Meola 7-Claudio Reyna
Gold Cup Manager Stats
Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.
In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.
The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017. One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back. Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup. Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team. Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025. Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup. Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.
Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup. The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder. Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.
How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica? To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023.
LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography
Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed. On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.
Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography
Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2. Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury. What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches. The following season went according to plan for Wynder. Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches. He also scored four goals, all headers from corners.
His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media. That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense. Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match. He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.
As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage. The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team. A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season. That day may be coming sooner rather than later. Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign. This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season. If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.
Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors. Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th. Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC. Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
The release of new kits is always an exciting moment for U.S. Soccer fans. Traditionally, U.S. Soccer unveils new designs during the spring or summer international windows. The USMNT did have their 2022 World Cup kits released in September, three months before the World Cup.
The USWNT recently debuted their new home kit during their last two friendlies, while the USMNT is expected to showcase their new away kit in the lead-up to the 2025 Gold Cup.
U.S. Soccer has unveiled two stunning new kits for the USWNT. The home jersey, dubbed The Brilliant Kit, will make its debut when the USWNT faces China. The away jersey, known as The Heartbeat Kit, will be worn by both the USWNT and USMNT. Both designs have been met with widespread praise from fans, with many calling them among the best in recent memory. I believe these are the sharpest U.S. kits we’ve seen in nearly fifteen years.
History of the USWNT Kit
For those who follow me on social media, you might remember a project I completed back in 2022, where I tracked the history of the USMNT from the evolution of the U.S. Soccer crest to the iconic team kits. Now, I’m channeling that same passion into a new labor of love: researching and recreating the kits of the USWNT to help preserve and celebrate their rich history.
USWNT Kits – 1985 – 1993
Forty years ago, the U.S. Women’s National Team played it’s first-ever match, wearing a white Adidas home kit with red diagonal pinstripes. But like many things in those early days, the kit wasn’t made with the women’s player in mind. The kits were designed for the men’s players in size and fit. For years, USWNT players were forced to pin back and alter oversized uniforms just to keep them from getting in the way on the field. It wasn’t until 1994 that they finally received a kit specifically tailored for women.
USWNT Kits 1994 – 2011
In 1994, the final year Adidas outfitted U.S. Soccer, the USWNT finally received its first uniquely designed kit made specifically for women. This marked the beginning of a new era, with the team continuing to wear custom kits through the 2011 World Cup.
USWNT Kits – 2012 – Current
Starting in 2012, Nike decided to unify the look of the USWNT and USMNT by having both teams wear the same kits. However, there have been a few exceptions over the years where one team debuted a unique design. A recent example is the newly released USWNT home kit, while the USMNT continues to wear the 2024 home kit.
USWNT and USMNT Kits Going Forward
Nike hit the most recent kit release out of the pitch, and it raises the question of what will be next for the USWNT and USMNT kit creations. The 2026 World Cup will see at least two new kits for the USMNT, with the USWNT likely wearing one or both of them.
For decades, both the USWNT and USMNT have struggled to establish a strong, unified identity through their kits. While some designs are instantly recognizable, there’s still a sense that both teams lack a distinct visual representation that truly reflects who they are. I hope that Nike continues to create kits that bring both teams together, while also allowing for occasional unique designs, once or twice per cycle, that capture the essence of American identity, something both teams have long needed
The true identity of the USWNT and USMNT is embodied in the Stars and Stripes, woven together in red, white, and blue, perhaps with the addition of a bold sash to complete the look.