For English football supporters, every World Cup begins the same way.

Hope arrives long before the first ball is kicked. It starts during qualification, grows throughout the domestic season, and reaches fever pitch once the squad is announced. Memories of past disappointments are temporarily pushed aside as supporters begin to wonder whether this might finally be the year.

The question has been asked before every World Cup for decades, but it feels particularly relevant ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Can England finally bring football home?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be unlike anything the sport has experienced before. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches spread across three countries.

The scale is unprecedented, and so too are the expectations surrounding several of the tournament's leading contenders.

For England supporters, there is genuine reason for optimism. Unlike previous generations that often arrived at major tournaments carrying more hype than substance, this England side continues to develop around a core of world-class players who have already demonstrated they can compete deep into major competitions.

Of course, they will not be alone. France remain football's benchmark. Spain appear to be entering another golden period. Brazil are desperate to reclaim their place at the summit of world football, while Argentina will attempt to defend the title Lionel Messi helped them capture in Qatar.

As the countdown to kick-off continues, the storylines are beginning to take shape.

Betting on World Cup 2026 at bet365

The World Cup is one of the biggest betting events in the sporting calendar, and bet365 is expected to offer extensive coverage throughout the tournament.

Check out World Cup 2026 Betting Lines at Bet365

Long before the opening match, bettors can explore outright winner markets, backing nations such as England, France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal to lift the trophy.

As the competition unfolds, bet365 is likely to provide a wide range of betting options beyond traditional match result markets. Popular choices include top goalscorer betting, player specials, handicaps, corners, cards and tournament-long wagers such as the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.

England fans will have plenty of opportunities to back the Three Lions throughout the tournament, with markets expected to cover everything from group-stage performance to how far Gareth Southgate's side can progress. If England make a deep run, betting interest across the UK is likely to surge.

Live betting is also expected to be a major attraction, allowing bettors to react to key moments as matches unfold.

With more teams, more matches and more betting markets than ever before, World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the busiest football betting events in recent memory. As always, gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

A New Era for the World Cup

The first thing fans will notice about World Cup 2026 is its sheer size.

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams represents the most significant structural change in the tournament's modern history. FIFA believes the larger field will increase global participation and provide more opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the sport's biggest stage.

Whether supporters embrace the new format remains to be seen. Traditionalists have argued that expanding the tournament could weaken the group stage, while others believe it will create more opportunities for memorable underdog stories.

Personally, I've always felt that the World Cup is at its best when it introduces fans to teams and players they know little about. Few people expected Morocco to reach the semi-finals in 2022, yet their remarkable run became one of the tournament's defining stories. The expanded format increases the likelihood of similar surprises.

At the same time, the traditional powers are unlikely to disappear. History suggests that while smaller nations may enjoy breakthrough moments, the latter stages are still likely to be dominated by football's established elite.

The difference is that there will be far more opportunities for drama along the way.

England's Greatest Chance Since 1966?

English football supporters have become experts in managing expectations.

For years, England teams arrived at tournaments burdened by pressure, media hype and unrealistic predictions. The so-called “golden generation” of the 2000s often looked better on paper than they did on the pitch, while earlier squads struggled to convert talent into silverware.

This current group feels different.

England have reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020 and the final of Euro 2024. They are no longer outsiders hoping to cause an upset. They are genuine contenders expected to compete for major honours.

That shift in perception matters.

Players such as Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer have spent years performing in high-pressure environments at club level. Many of them will arrive in North America entering the peak years of their careers.

Bellingham, in particular, looks destined to become one of the defining players of the tournament. His combination of technical ability, physical presence and leadership qualities make him uniquely suited to international football.

While England have often relied heavily on a single superstar, this squad appears capable of winning matches through several different avenues.

The biggest challenge may be psychological.

England's recent tournament exits have often come against opponents equally talented but perhaps slightly more ruthless when the pressure reaches its highest point. Whether that final hurdle can be cleared remains the biggest question hanging over the squad.

France Remain the Team to Beat

While England will attract significant attention in the UK, France enter the tournament as perhaps the most complete team in world football.

For nearly a decade, they have been blessed with extraordinary depth. Every major tournament seems to reveal another generation of elite French talent ready to step into the spotlight. Their ability to consistently produce world-class players across every position remains unmatched.

At the centre of everything is Kylian Mbappé.

By the summer of 2026, Mbappé should be firmly in the prime of his career. He has already won a World Cup, reached another final and delivered some of the greatest performances the competition has ever seen. If France lift the trophy once again, there is every chance he will be the driving force behind their success.

What makes France particularly dangerous is their flexibility. They possess explosive pace in attack, physicality in midfield and experience throughout the squad. Unlike many international teams, they rarely appear dependent on one tactical approach.

It is difficult to identify a weakness.

That alone makes them one of the leading favourites.

Can Argentina Repeat the Magic?

The images from Qatar in 2022 remain unforgettable.

Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy after one of the greatest finals ever played provided football with a fairytale ending. For Argentina, it ended decades of frustration and secured Messi's place among the sport's immortals.

The challenge now is entirely different.

Defending a World Cup title has historically proven incredibly difficult. The emotional fuel that powered Argentina through Qatar will no longer exist. Expectations will be higher, opponents will be better prepared and several key members of the squad will be older.

The biggest storyline surrounds Messi himself.

Whether he ultimately participates remains uncertain, but even if he does, Argentina will increasingly rely on the next generation of talent to carry them forward. The encouraging news for Argentine supporters is that the production line continues to deliver quality players capable of competing at the highest level.

They may not enter the tournament as favourites, but dismissing a reigning champion would be foolish.

Brazil's Long Wait Continues

No nation approaches the World Cup with greater expectations than Brazil.

Five world titles have created a standard few countries could ever hope to match. Yet despite regularly producing elite players, Brazil have not lifted the trophy since 2002.

By Brazilian standards, that feels like an eternity.

Every World Cup begins with the same debate. Is this finally the squad capable of restoring Brazil to the top of world football?

The talent is certainly there.

Brazil continue to produce technically gifted attackers who can decide matches in an instant. The challenge has often been finding the right balance between flair and structure. International tournaments are rarely won through attacking brilliance alone. Defensive organisation and tactical discipline often prove equally important.

If Brazil can combine their traditional creativity with greater consistency, they have every chance of ending their long wait for another title.

Spain's Next Golden Generation

Spain's footballing cycle appears to be moving upward once again.

After dominating international football between 2008 and 2012, Spain spent several years searching for a new identity. The signs now suggest they may have found it.

A new generation of technically gifted players has emerged, combining the possession-based principles that defined their greatest era with greater athleticism and attacking intent.

The emergence of exciting young stars has transformed expectations. Spain no longer feel like a rebuilding nation. They feel like a contender.

For English supporters, Spain may represent one of the biggest obstacles to World Cup success. Their ability to control possession and dictate tempo makes them a difficult opponent for any team.

Should they continue their current trajectory, few would be surprised to see them competing for the trophy deep into July.

Dark Horses to Watch

Every World Cup produces at least one surprise package.

The expanded format means there are more opportunities than ever for unexpected nations to make a deep run.

Portugal are perhaps the most obvious candidate. They possess exceptional depth and a blend of experienced leaders and emerging stars. The Netherlands continue to develop talented squads capable of competing with anyone on their day.

Croatia have spent the past decade proving that population size means very little in international football. Their consistency at major tournaments deserves enormous respect.

Meanwhile, Morocco's historic achievement in 2022 demonstrated the growing strength of African football. Several African nations will arrive believing they can replicate or even surpass that accomplishment.

The beauty of the World Cup is that predictions often collapse within the opening fortnight. One unexpected result can completely reshape the tournament.

Players Who Could Define the Tournament

Every World Cup creates new legends.

Before 1998, few casual supporters knew much about Michael Owen. Before 2006, Lionel Messi was still introducing himself to the global audience. Before 2018, Kylian Mbappé had yet to become a household name.

The 2026 tournament will undoubtedly produce similar stories.

Jude Bellingham appears destined for a starring role. Mbappé remains football's biggest attraction. Spain's emerging stars could announce themselves to the world, while established names such as Vinícius Júnior and Phil Foden will be eager to cement their international legacies.

Yet experience suggests the tournament's defining player may be someone few supporters are currently discussing.

That's the magic of the World Cup.

Unknown talents become national heroes overnight.

Final Thoughts

As a football fan growing up in the UK, there is always something uniquely special about a World Cup summer.

The weather improves, pub gardens fill with supporters, conversations turn to predicted line-ups and penalty shootouts, and every match feels important. Even neutral games somehow become impossible to ignore.

World Cup 2026 feels particularly significant because it represents the beginning of a new chapter for international football. The Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era is fading. New stars are taking centre stage. The tournament itself is expanding, and football's global reach continues to grow.

For England, the opportunity is obvious.

This may be the most talented and experienced squad the nation has taken to a World Cup in decades. Expectations will be enormous, but perhaps for the first time in a generation they feel justified.

Whether England can finally end 60 years of hurt remains to be seen.

What is certain is that the road to the trophy will be filled with unforgettable moments, dramatic upsets and stories that will be discussed for years to come.

And if England can navigate the challenges ahead, supporters across the country will dare to dream once again that football might finally be coming home.