Ahead of Friday's 2026 World Cup draw, AFP Sport runs the rule over the leading contenders at the first-ever 48-team finals to take place across North America next June and July.

How are the 2026 World Cup favourites shaping up?

FIFA revealed on Tuesday that the top four seeded nations at the 2026 World Cup will occupy two separate halves of the draw for the expanded 48-team tournament, meaning they could avoid facing each other until the semifinal stage.

FIFA to keep top seeds apart in expanded 2026 World Cup draw

Spain made almost certain of qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win in Georgia on Saturday.

Spain virtually seal World Cup qualification in Georgia romp

Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced on Tuesday.

Yamal released from World Cup qualifiers by 'upset' Spanish federation

The penultimate round of European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Who can qualify for 2026 World Cup in next round of European qualifiers

Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand has suffered a "high grade" knee injury, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday.

Atletico's Le Normand set to miss Spain qualifiers after knee injury

Harry Kane scored twice as England thrashed Latvia 5-0 on Tuesday to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were forced to wait to clinch their spot at the finals after being held by Hungary.

England clinch 2026 World Cup qualification, Portugal forced to wait

Spain continued their dominant World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from Jeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal at Elche's Manuel Martinez Valero stadium on Saturday.

Spain beat Georgia to edge closer to World Cup spot

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Highlights from the match between Spain and Netherlands which took place at Mestalla Stadium

Spain v Netherlands | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Netherlands and Spain which took place at Stadion Feijenoord.

Netherlands v Spain | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match Between Spain and Switzerland which took place at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López

Spain v Switzerland | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Denmark and Spain which took place in at Telia Parken, Copenhagen.

Denmark v Spain | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Spain and Serbia which took place at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel

Spain v Serbia | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Highlights from the match between Switzerland and Spain which took place in Stade de Geneve. 

Switzerland v Spain | Match Highlights | UEFA Nations League

Lamine Yamal, Nicholas Williams Arthuer Top All Actions of the 2023 Final, 2023 Semi-Finals and 4 other Season Parts

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams | UEFA EURO 2024

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