As the 2026 World Cup approaches, seven nations have already qualified after the March international break. Alongside hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada, Japan, Argentina, New Zealand, and Iran have officially secured their places in the tournament. Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, qualified impressively, even after their dominant 4-1 victory over Brazil in Buenos Aires. While Asian and South American qualifiers are well underway, European teams are just beginning. We`re starting to see which teams to watch as the competition heats up to determine the final 48 teams for the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11 next year. Let`s examine the winners and losers from the recent international break.
Winner: Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed a strong start as England`s national team manager. The Three Lions began their group stage with wins against Albania and Latvia at Wembley. Tuchel has injected fresh energy into a talented team seeking to overcome the disappointment of losing two consecutive UEFA Euro finals in 2021 and the previous year under Gareth Southgate. Beyond the improved performances, Tuchel offers hope for a trophy win, becoming only the third foreign manager to lead England, following Sven-Göran Eriksson (2001-2006) and Fabio Capello (2007-2012).
Losers: Brazil
Brazil was the biggest disappointment of this international break. Dorival Junior`s team suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Argentina in Buenos Aires. Beyond the result, especially as Argentina had already qualified and then won convincingly, Brazil`s performance was concerning. Argentina, coached by Lionel Scaloni, demonstrated superior quality. Notably, Enzo Fernandez`s goal, Argentina`s second, followed a sequence of 37 passes, one of the longest passing sequences leading to a goal in this CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
Winners: Argentina
Argentina is the first South American team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Scaloni`s team will have the opportunity to defend their third World Cup title, won in a penalty shootout against France in Doha four years prior. After a period of expected instability following such a victory, Argentina is once again a strong contender for 2026. They qualified despite missing key players Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez due to minor injuries. This week boosted the team`s confidence and reaffirmed their ambition to win again.
Losers: Italy
Despite Italy`s European qualifying campaign yet to begin (having lost to Germany in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals), they already face challenges before the June matches. Following the loss to Julian Nagelsmann`s Germany, Italy is placed in Group I with Norway. Erling Haaland`s Norway team has won their first two matches against Moldavia and Israel. On June 6th, Norway hosts Italy in their first World Cup qualifier. Italy faces a potentially difficult situation if they don`t gain points in Oslo. The European powerhouse has missed the last two World Cups, and their last World Cup knockout game appearance was in 2006, when they won their fourth title by defeating France on penalties.
Dominic Ashworth