Four years might not sound long, but for any team champing at the bit it will surely feel like an eternity. The showed just how well the years between two editions of the football extravaganza can be used, with more and more nations emerging from the shadows and growing into genuine contenders.
There is little doubt that the teams that were dreaming of the title over the past few weeks will be in contention again in 2030, but the number of sides capable of tripping up the big names is growing with every tournament. They may be dark horses today, but will they be in with a shout next time around?
With the dust now starting to settle on World Cup 2026, attention will soon start to shift to the next edition in four years’ time. Morocco, Portugal and Spain are all sure of their places , as are Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as the hosts of the special centenary celebrations.
Morocco and Spain were among the ten teams with the youngest average squad age in North America. The Atlas Lions’ performances proved that they are no flash in the pan, and their strong focus on youth development, with a particular emphasis on technical training, could well pay off in four years, especially when home advantage is added to the mix.
Given Spain’s dominance in North America, it wouldn’t be unthinkable for their talented young squad to mature further over the next World Cup cycle, a prospect that is likely to be a cause for concern for the rest of the world. A recent comment from coach Luis de la Fuente certainly sounded like a warning: “This team is absolutely unyielding.”
As the have players waiting in the wings for almost every position, they are likely to maintain their standards at the very least. The challenge will come in a different form: to retain their hunger and edge, now that virtually every trophy is already in La Roja's bulging cabinet.
Compared to their Iberian neighbours, Portugal took a slightly older squad to North America so there could well be more movement in their ranks come 2030. After their elimination in the Round of 16 by the eventual world champions, for instance, .
Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias, two other key figures in the spine of the team, are also among the more experienced members of the squad, but both could well have another World Cup in them. There is also a remarkably large group of talented players pushing for more playing time behind them. In short, all three co-hosts will be giving themselves a good chance of going deep in 2030.
Things get really interesting when you look beyond Morocco and further into Africa, and few 2026 World Cup participants deserve more praise than Côte d’Ivoire.
The squad with the youngest average age put in some courageous and determined performances in North America, and if the likes of Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo continue on their current trajectories they could well be among the stars in 2030. Coach Emerse Fae has certainly laid the foundations for what could be one of the most fascinating projects over the next few years.
Ghana, Tunisia and South Africa were three other African teams in North America whose average age was under 27, and if the continent's many impressive results and surprises are taken as an indicator — Cabo Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw, for instance, and took Argentina into extra time in the Round of 32) — there could be an even stronger wave of African teams heading for the World Cup in 2030.
No list would be complete without looking at contenders from other confederations, and the next generations from Ecuador and USA have all shown that they will be ones to watch in the future.
Of course, given the sheer depth of quality in the English and French squads, the two European heavyweights are also likely to be among the runners and riders again in 2030 – but they are not the only European sides with grand ambitions.
Are Norway here to stay? Will four-time champions Italy finally return to football’s grandest stage? Will coach-in-waiting Jurgen Klopp bring an end to Germany’s run of poor performances in final competitions? Will the Netherlands and Switzerland make even more of their potential?
Only time will tell how these stories unfold, and the conclusions won't be known until 2030.
Sources: FIFA Official
