Between now and the 2026 World Cup, several countries have the chance to build entirely different teams; teams that could have the opportunity to shock the world on football’s biggest stage.
What can we already tell from this year’s World Cup?
Several teams have already shown signs of slowing down at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with shock results including the likes of Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina, who we’ll get to. The unexpected results have undoubtedly thrown off some World Cup predictions backing the so-called favourites up against sides that entered the tournament as underdogs. We could even see similar shocks at the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia to feel the effect of age by the 2026 World Cup?
First on the list is Croatia, who currently boasts the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Marcelo Brozovic in a list of impressive players. There is a slight issue with that, however, and that issue is age. Whilst many have rarely had Croatia down as one of the favourites to win previous tournaments in their World Cup bets, they face an even greater uphill climb in four years. They may even become contenders for an early exit.
The likes of Modric, whilst undoubtedly a player incapable of losing that glue-like touch of his, is currently 37 and will, therefore, likely be long-retired by the time 2026 rolls around. Meanwhile, Perisic is 33, and Brozovic is 30, and likely the only of the three aforementioned players set to feature for Croatia in four years.
A third consecutive difficult World Cup for Germany?
Another country that could struggle at the 2026 World Cup in Germany. Hansi Flick’s side unexpectedly crashed out at the Group Stage in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, making it two consecutive tournaments in which they have failed to reach the knockout stages. It doesn’t look as though things are on course to get any better, with age potentially taking its toll once more.
By the time the next tournament comes around, Joshua Kimmich will likely be one of the only current experienced leaders left playing at 31. The likes of Thomas Muller, Ilkay Gundogan, and Manuel Neuer are all likely to have hung up their boots before the next World Cup begins, leaving a new generation of players with a tough task.
Argentina to fail when forced to replace Lionel Messi’s magic?
It’s no secret that the 2022 Qatar World Cup is likely Lionel Messi’s last. The Argentine magician is set to bow out of the international stage in the hope of ending on ultimate glory rather than more heartbreak in pursuit of arguably football’s biggest prize.
Messi’s pending retirement presents Argentina with the ultimate issue. How does a team replace Messi? Is it even possible? Argentina will be forced to find out the hard way. Without the iconic forward, they could struggle to find a talisman at the 2026 World Cup, and, with that, suffer an early exit.
