The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico runs from June 11 to July 19 and features 48 teams. The expansion increases travel demands and raises the value of rotation. Teams that have good in-game management who can protect leads and avoid losing out on transitions should go far.
England
England’s biggest advantage is preparation time. Thomas Tuchel took up the manager’s role on January 1, 2025, with the Three Lions already qualified. This means camps between now and the tournament's kickoff can be used to prepare for what’s to come in North America this summer. The route to the final will be less about inventing a new identity and more about devising an approach reliable against different opposition.
Against elite nations, England must be comfortable without the ball for stretches, then strike with speed and precision. Against compact underdogs, they need patience and structure to prevent counterattacks. That means selecting a spine that features centre-backs who defend space, a goalkeeper steady under aerial pressure, and a midfield unit that wins second balls while still progressing play.
Set pieces are the other separator. A finalist usually steals at least one knockout tie through dead-ball quality: delivery, second-phase organisation and rehearsed responses to opposition routines. England have the physical prowess to make that a genuine edge, but only if preparation is obsessive.
Tuchel must pick roles, not just names. Depth can become noise if England rotate for the sake of it. The best tournament teams have a settled core and a clear plan with substitutions. World Cup betting markets suggest England have the best chance to make the final of all British teams.
Scotland
Scotland’s path is narrower, but knockout football rewards well-drilled sides. Steve Clarke has delivered Scotland’s first World Cup qualification since 1998, and that should help the group play with more freedom. Scotland already have a tournament-ready identity: compact lines, clear triggers, and direct attacking when opponents over-commit.
To go beyond the last 16, Scotland need two upgrades. First, more variety in chance creation so they can break a low block without relying on hopeful deliveries. Second, impact off the bench. The expanded format punishes teams who cannot change rhythm when required; Scotland need substitutes who can carry the ball, win fouls high up and create chances.
Wales and Northern Ireland
For Wales and Northern Ireland, the first step is getting through the play-offs in March. Wales, led by Craig Bellamy, should prioritise a settled defensive platform and simple attacking patterns. Northern Ireland, managed by Michael O’Neill, can lean into the underdog toolkit: set-piece sharpness, compact defensive unit distances, and a clear plan for matches where the scoreline is 0-0.
Across all four Home Nations, the fundamentals of tournament success are remarkably similar. Defensive organisation must be automatic, with the right spacing between units. Set pieces should be treated as a primary attacking weapon rather than a bonus with detailed routines and clear-phase plans. Squad rotation has to be strategic, not reactive, accounting for travel, climate and recovery time. Perhaps most importantly, players must show strong in-game management: knowing when to slow the tempo, draw fouls, or go direct. If the British nations can master these things, who knows how far they could go?
