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Lucas Bergvall celebrates with the fans after winning their playoff with Poland. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty ImagesWith Graham Potter at the helm and Viktor Gyökeres finding form, hopes are high after playoff successThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.Sweden’s attempts to qualify for the World Cup could hardly have gone worse, picking up just one point from the first four games under Jon Dahl Tomasson before, in October 2025, the Dane was sacked after a 1-0 defeat against Kosovo.In came Graham Potter, who had his breakthrough in coaching at Swedish side Östersund between 2011 and 2017, taking them from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan, winning the cup and beating Arsenal in the Europa League.Under Potter’s leadership the focus shifted to more traditional values associated with the Swedish national team with a stubborn defence coupled with effective counterattacks. Having initially said he prefers a back four he set up with a 5-3-2 in the playoffs, with a focus on keeping things quiet at the back.With the Nations League having offered Sweden a route back into the World Cup qualifying process, they put in an impressive performance against Ukraine in Spain in the semi-finals, winning 3-1 after a Viktor Gyökeres hat-trick. The final, against Poland, was much tougher to watch with the visitors better for much of the game but Gyökeres again stepped up, scoring an 88th-minute winner in a 3-2 thriller.“It’s hard to explain, hard to describe,” said a delighted Potter. “Just an incredible evening, just so proud to be part of that and obviously proud to experience it. It was just the best night I’ve had in football. Incredible, like I was having some sort of out-of-body experience. I’m looking at the goal and suddenly all our bench is running and you’re thinking: ‘Am I here?’ I’m just grateful to be part of that.”So Sweden made it to the World Cup despite collecting two points from six games in their qualifying group. They now face Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan with hope of getting into the knockout stages – that’s the Potter effect for you.Injury wise they are without captain Dejan Kulusevski, whose influence on this team cannot be overstated. They will miss him in North America. There are also huge question marks over Alexander Isak’s form and fitness, although he did score in a worryingly one-sided 3-1 defeat against Norway on 1 June after coming on as a substitute.In October 2025 Graham Potter gave an interview to Fotbollskanalen that was not so much expressing an interest in becoming Sweden coach, but more of a come-and-get-me plea. “I have feelings for Sweden,” he said. “I love the country and I love Swedish football. Coaching the national team would be an incredible opportunity for me, absolutely.” A few days later he was in the job and, despite not winning either of his first two games, the Swedish FA was so smitten by him that they offered him a contract extension to 2030 in March. Potter speaks very good Swedish and for him it was the perfect job after difficult spells with Chelsea and West Ham.Alexander Isak became the most expensive transfer in Premier League history last year when he moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for £125 but after a tough first season at Anfield there is no question about who the talisman is for the national team: Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal forward also struggled initially at his new club but has hit form recently and scored four of Sweden’s six goals in the two playoff ties. His popularity took another upturn after the late goal against Poland with people from all over the country posting their own versions of his goal celebration, which is taken from Bane, the character played by Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises film.Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren aside, one player that might play a bigger role than expected for Sweden in North America is Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Braga defender put in a crucial performance in the playoff final against Poland, scoring with a thunderous header and keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet at the back. The fact that the former Celtic defender is a baron and 254th in line to the Swedish throne only adds to the intrigue. There are talks of a move to a big-five league this summer and a good showing at the World Cup will only increase his chances.If Sweden are to succeed this summer, they will have to win battles against a very technical side in the Netherlands and a very tenacious and technical Japan side. Jesper Karlström will have to play a big part. Captain of Serie A side Udinese, Karlström is a late bloomer who took time to establish himself at Djurgården before a move to Polish side Lech Poznan. He has talked about how he struggled with a gambling addiction at Djurgården but that the club and his family helped him beat it. Karlström possesses all the classical traits of a deep-lying midfielder, being solid in the tackle and capable of dictating play. The 30-year-old’s calming presence will be key in North America as he is surrounded by youngsters such as Yasin Ayari and Lucas Bergvall in midfield.Swedish supporters have a reputation of coming in large numbers for tournaments and making themselves heard. Fans of Blågult (blue and yellow) tend to be friendly and full of banter, interacting with opposition fans. The go-to song of the supporters is “Kanna på”, a song referencing beer pitchers that keep on arriving. Yes, the Swedes like a beer or six. The song also states: “We are coming with 100,000 men” and, while there might not be another Viking invasion expected in America, there will be a large yellow-and-blue delegation at the World Cup.“Look what happened in Sweden last night.” Those were the words of president Trump in 2017, when talking about problems with large scales of immigration and subsequent terrorist attacks. The only problem was that nothing of any dramatic nature had happened in Sweden the night before. Trump said later he had been referring to a TV report on Fox News, which did not clarify things greatly. Swedish paper Aftonbladet then summed up what had happened in the country on the day Trump was referring to:Famous singer Owe Thörnqvist suffered technical problems in rehearsalsA man set himself on fire at a plaza in central StockholmThere were road closures in northern Sweden due to “harsh weather”Written by Samuel Parts for fotbollskanalen.se.

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Jurriën Timber, Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders. Photograph: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty ImagesThe Oranje had high hopes but a spate of injuries has tempered expectationsThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.Has Ronald Koeman ever started a major tournament with more headaches? Probably not. He is known as an exceptionally ambitious perfectionist, which means the preparation for this World Cup has been the most troublesome of all his years as the national-team head coach.Injuries are part and parcel of the game but it becomes a real problem when, in the run-up to a major tournament, around half the starting XI is either ruled out completely or sidelined for months. In the spring Koeman said he would only take players who were fully fit and playing regularly, but that stance became difficult to maintain.Tottenham’s Xavi Simons suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April and won’t be back until next year. The PSV midfielder Jerdy Schouten is also recovering from the same injury. Matthijs de Ligt, who has often partnered Virgil van Dijk in central defence, has not regained full fitness after a back problem.Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong missed most of the season, Inter’s Denzel Dumfries was out for four months. Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders and Nathan Aké were often on the bench while Memphis Depay sustained a serious hamstring injury at the end of his season in Brazil.Koeman, a disciple of the Johan Cruyff school of football thinking, prefers attacking football and, during the qualifiers, stuck to a very traditional Dutch style, but he may have to abandon his favoured 4-3-3 system for the tournament.The Netherlands – who are in a tough group with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia – must now select their fittest and strongest players, rather than the most talented ones that reflect the Dutch footballing philosophy. The KNVB (the Royal Dutch Football Association) has made reaching the semi-finals a minimum target; Koeman wants to go even further and win the tournament. But that will require a lot of hard work.“What I’d like people to say about my team is that they play with a lot of intensity, that they can’t say we didn’t do enough,” Koeman told Fifa in May. “I want them to play with confidence, with personality, understanding what their qualities are. And to always respect every opponent despite the fact there may be so-called smaller nations at the World Cup.”While at Barcelona, Johan Cruyff once asked Ronald Koeman to share a room with a young talent named Pep Guardiola. The two developed under Cruyff’s attacking philosophy and took that with them into coaching. Koeman is the only coach in the Netherlands to have enjoyed success with all three major clubs – Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV – both as a player and as a manager. For that reason, he is widely respected across the country, has a strong reputation, and has long enjoyed a positive relationship with his international players.Koeman heads to the World Cup during a time when his wife, Bartina, is undergoing treatment for cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and it came back in 2018 and 2023. During the qualification campaign, Koeman occasionally left the training camp to be with her. “If I had to leave it was to be with my wife but she is incredibly strong and positive,” he said. “That is something very special. [But] it is very difficult. She cannot do everything she used to and she gets tired more easily because of the side effects [of chemotherapy]. But we focus on the things that matter most to us and give her energy. That is something beautiful to see.”For decades the Netherlands’ star players were forwards but the Dutch have struggled to produce world-class strikers in recent years so for the first time, the team’s strongest department is the defence, led by the formidable Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool defender is in effect Koeman’s extension on the pitch. The 33-year-old is the undisputed leader and the most vocal figure in the dressing room and on the field. He represents the squad in discussions with the federation and regularly consults Koeman on tactics. He is not immune to criticism from Koeman though, who says: “I have to stay on his back to make sure he remains sharp. He knows that – it has been the case since our time at Southampton. But he is a fantastic leader.”Micky van de Ven has been in the spotlight in the Netherlands for having to battle relegation with Tottenham and has been left out of Koeman’s squads in the past because the head coach was concerned about the defender picking up muscle injuries by playing too much. Van de Ven was never part of a big-club academy and had to fight his way to the Premier League via Volendam and Wolfsburg. He brings energy and power to the team with his exceptional pace, strong tackling and relentless running. At international level, he has had to battle to win a starting place but looks to have done so just before the World Cup.One thing the Americans can be certain of: the Oranje march will set Kansas City, Dallas and Houston alight. The famous orange double-decker bus was shipped to the United States a month before the World Cup and will travel to every city where the Dutch are playing. Thousands of Dutch fans will take part in city-centre processions. On its top deck, well-known Dutch artists, DJs and bands will perform, setting the tone and creating a good atmosphere. And we’ll also see the Links Rechts (left-right) routine to the song by Snollebollekes.King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have made several visits to Donald Trump in the White House. These visits are viewed as a strategic strengthening of relations between the Netherlands and the US, with the king acting as a diplomatic bridge. However, public opinion in the Netherlands towards Trump is largely negative and prominent Dutch politicians have in the past been outspoken, with some describing Trump as “a political charlatan”.Written by Marcel van der Kraan for De Telegraaf.

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Ebola outbreak occurred in African country last monthDR Congo have been based in Belgium before World CupA pre-World Cup friendly involving the Democratic Republic of Congo has been cancelled by the mayor of the Spanish town hosting the match over health concerns regarding the Ebola outbreak in the African country.“I have signed the decree banning the holding of the June 9 match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile,” said Juan Franco, mayor of La Línea de la Concepción in southern Spain.Franco said it was a precautionary measure and he was following recommendations by the Andalusia regional government’s health service.The mayor of La Línea, which has a population of 65,000 and is close to the border with Gibraltar, added that the head of the municipality’s medical service had also advised against holding the match.“A report by the head of the mayoralty’s health service of La Línea advised categorically against hosting the match given the health risks which might arise,” he said.The DR Congo – who have qualified for their first World Cup since they featured in the 1974 edition [as Zaire] – are scheduled to play a friendly against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on Wednesday.The team cancelled a pre-World Cup training camp at home after the country was hit by an Ebola outbreak last month, basing themselves in Belgium instead.The outbreak of the contagious haemorrhagic fever was declared in eastern DRC in mid-May.On 22 May US authorities said the DR Congo squad must isolate for 21 days before they would be allowed into the US for the World Cup, which runs from 11 June to 19 July and is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.They plan to be based in Houston, where they will play their first Group K match on 17 June against Portugal.The DR Congo are then scheduled to head to Guadalajara, Mexico, to play Colombia on 24 June before returning to the US to play Uzbekistan in Atlanta on 28 June.

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Mexico has campaigned to eradicate the chantWorld Cup opener features Mexico at the AztecaThe Mexican soccer federation on Tuesday lost its latest appeal against Fifa punishments for fans chanting an anti-gay slur at opponents’ players.The latest ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in a series of Mexico v Fifa appeal cases over more than 10 years comes as Mexico prepare to host South Africa in the World Cup opener on 11 June at Azteca Stadium, a venue where the chant is often heard.The chant, a one-word slur that means male prostitute in Spanish, usually occurs when the opposing goalkeeper is taking a goal kick.It went viral in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was heard again at the next editions in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar. Mexico fans have defied requests and education programs by the federation aiming to control the abuse.The latest case at Cas followed Fifa prosecutions of incidents at games in 2024 against Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil and the United States. The chant was heard by anti-discrimination monitors who also will work for Fifa at the World Cup’s 104 games in Mexico, the US and Canada.Cas said its judges upheld Fifa-imposed fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs ($178,000). They lifted a sanction of closing part of a stadium at a Fifa-organized game such as the World Cup.The court said its judges at a hearing in Miami in March weighed the Mexican federation mitigation that it had “put measures in place since 2015 to educate, prevent and eradicate the chant.”“They [the judges] observed that the conduct of the fans was collective and widespread, and not merely a one-off occurrence,” Cas said in a statement.Noting the “unique nature” of the challenge facing Mexican soccer officials, the court said the federation should not escape liability.Mexico will also host World Cup group-stage games against South Korea in Guadalajara and the Czech Republic at the Azteca.

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Supporters of Japan in Osaka. Photograph: Masashi Hara/Getty ImagesImpressive results have fuelled belief that Hajime Moriyasu’s side can not just survive against the best but beat them tooThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.Japan are no longer at a stage where speaking openly about “winning the World Cup” invites ridicule. Their historic victories over Germany and Spain in 2022 proved that they are capable of producing much more than just a one-off upset. Over nearly eight years in charge the head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, has built a side capable not merely of surviving against the world’s elite, but of defeating them too. This was backed up by wins against Brazil in October and England – at Wembley – in March.The expected system is a 3-4-2-1, though Japan also experimented with a 3-1-4-2 against England, suggesting tactical flexibility depending on the oppostion. Pressing aggressively from the top is important, with players such as Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito all excellent at putting pressure on opponents.Leading the line is Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda, who won the Eredivisie Golden Boot in 2025-26, scoring an impressive 25 goals in 31 appearances. The spine is strong with Parma’s Zion Suzuki in goal and Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi and Tsuyoshi Watanabe as key defenders.Kaishu Sano is set to anchor the midfield and the fact that players such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo have to settle for a place on the bench at times is evidence that Japan’s squad depth has never been stronger. Injuries to Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma are very unfortunate but, again, this team are not so fragile as to collapse because of the absence of one or two missing star players. Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada will play an important role.Still, Group F will be tough with the two European sides, the Netherlands and Sweden, having strong squads while Tunisia may in fact turn out to be the most difficult stylistic matchup of the three.Hopes are high back home, though, and the former Japan coach Akira Nishino, who led the side at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, says of the current squad: “It’s not about individuals acting like egoists. This group of players fight together and within that unity, individuality emerges. There is a strength in these ‘Japanised’ individuals.”This team genuinely believe they can win the World Cup.As a player, Hajime Moriyasu played as a defensive midfielder for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the Japan national team. Since taking charge of Japan after the 2018 World Cup, he has built the squad step by step. He has respected experienced players while gradually integrating a new generation that now forms the core of the team. His methods – focused on harmony, discipline and continuity rather than radical change – can at times appear conservative, but there is no denying his ability to create a stable and highly competitive environment. With the World Cup in sight, Moriyasu continues to shape his blueprint for success. “By making use of Japan’s ability to steadily build and the qualities of Japanese people, I want football to change the belief that Japan cannot become the best in the world in a contact sport,” he says.The player who brings the greatest spark to Japan’s attack is Takefusa Kubo. Receiving the ball on the right flank, he draws defenders in with delicate touches and his unique sense of timing, exploiting even the smallest openings to create chances. Having been labelled the “Japanese Messi” early on in his career, he signed for Real Madrid at the age of 18 in 2019. Several loan spells followed before he joined Real Sociedad in 2022. There he has become the focal point of the attack and he continues to play a decisive role for the national team as well. Against Bahrain, he provided the assist for the opening goal before scoring another that in effect sealed Japan’s qualification for the World Cup.The man entrusted with keeping Japan’s goal safe is Zion Suzuki. Blessed with outstanding physical attributes, he also possesses every essential quality expected of a top-class goalkeeper. At the Asian Cup two years ago, his inconsistency drew criticism, exposing him to the harsh realities of being Japan’s No 1. Then, last November, he fractured his left hand, with his grip strength suffering as a result. Even so, he continued to gain experience at club level before returning to the national team’s goal. His potential is immense and he could be the face of Japan’s goalkeeping position for a decade.Standing at 1.88m (6ft 2in), left-footed and capable of playing centre-back and left-back, Hiroki Ito offers a rare combination of size, versatility and technical quality. Injuries have disrupted his progress at club level, but the very fact that a Japanese defender now plays for Bayern Munich speaks volumes about how much the landscape of the country’s football has changed. “In Germany I have had to learn how to defend smartly,” says the 27-year-old, who played a lot of futsal and spent some time with Santos in Brazil as a youngster.Japan’s supporters are widely regarded as one of the most disciplined fan groups in world football. The stands are filled with the national team’s signature blue, while chants of “Nippon” echo in rhythm with the drums. Unlike the overwhelming intensity or flamboyance often associated with European or South American crowds, Japanese supporters are defined by their organisation, discipline and respect for opponents.Their habit of cleaning up trash in the stands after matches drew international attention at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, offering a glimpse into the sense of courtesy and responsibility often associated with Japanese culture. At this tournament, with more locally based fans expected to join them, the sea of blue inside stadiums will likely be even more visible than at the last World Cup.It is unlikely that the national team or the Japan Football Association will make any political statements regarding the United States or Donald Trump. Part of that stems from the longstanding relationship between Japan and the US, but it also reflects a broader Japanese tendency to avoid unnecessary controversy while showing respect toward the host nation. The feeling is mutual, with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, recently saying: “Under President Trump, we have ushered in a new golden age for US-Japan relations that upholds a free and open Indo-Pacific and brings peace and prosperity to the region.”Written by Takashi Ogami for Shukyu Magazine.

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Just days away from the opener, the tournament has yet to feel fully real for fans and even some playersOrganizationally speaking, the 2026 World Cup began on 13 June 2018, when then-Fifa general secretary Fatma Samoura sternly instructed the delegates to cast their vote in a cavernous conference hall in Moscow.Yet mere days away from the tournament’s kickoff in Mexico City, it doesn’t really feel like the thing is here yet. At least, not in the US. And not in New York, the host city for the final.It can be oddly difficult to tell when and where a World Cup has well and truly started. It’s not when the draw takes place; there’s too much winter left, too much club soccer to be played. It also isn’t the opening match, or the preceding ceremony; if anything, those seem late. The thing exists tangibly in the weeks and months before that, as the world prepares and positions itself for the impending tournament.Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, who will probably make up much of the United States men’s national team midfield this summer, were 19 when their home country was named as a co-host. That’s when they knew that their nation, for which both men had made their senior debuts on the same day seven months earlier, had qualified automatically as one of the three co-hosts.“For me, it started to feel real probably after [this past] season finished, because we had a lot of pressure at our club level,” said McKennie. “So I wanted to just finish my season off with Juventus and then, after that … I think it’ll start to hit me more. Obviously, whenever you get the message that you’re named to the roster, that’s another big moment where you realize, OK, it’s starting.”“Two days ago, I was playing against Nottingham Forest, hoping to achieve something,” said Adams, a Bournemouth player in the Premier League. “Yesterday, [I] got off the plane and we’re in Times Square. I think it’ll probably hit tomorrow, when we start training properly and really start preparing.”Adams and McKennie were speaking at US Soccer’s World Cup roster unveiling event at the swanky Pier 17 complex at South Street Seaport in Manhattan. In a bonanza of red, white and blue, the 26 players picked by head coach Mauricio Pochettino were announced one by one, trundling on to a large concert stage on the building’s rooftop. They emerged to loud music and from in between blasts of smoke, clad in grey suits over knitted T-shirts and white sneakers. Then they stood about as the rapper Gunna performed in front of them.The whole thing was a bit much. “That’s America,” Adams wryly noted.Yet such events exist exactly to signal that the World Cup really is here, that it isn’t just a far-off notion. This remains tricky in a country where, as much as the popularity of soccer has grown, the international game is still mostly treated like the Olympics, something to get into for a few weeks every four years. The NBA playoffs are near their apotheosis – with the New York Knicks in the finals, no less – while the hockey and baseball seasons are ongoing as well. There’s a lot going on, and the World Cup, for now, is just one of those things.The most evidence of the impending tournament can be found in the various businesses that sponsor the thing. Shop for a bucket of paint or a rake at a hardware chain and you may stumble on some signage, if you’re paying attention. Pharmacies have plush mascots for sale among other officially licensed trinkets. “To see all the different branding and things that are being put up around the country has made it that much more real in the past couple weeks,” said the US captain, Tim Ream.Weighing anticipation and the present is a tricky balance for players to strike. They are expected to live day to day, practice to practice, game to game. And for the US, absent a qualification process that stretched over a year or two, they lacked the usual signage that demarcates the cycle.“I think I kind of felt it on the horizon,” said Christian Pulisic. “Obviously, you’re focusing on what you’re doing at your club, but I’d say once I got here and kind of was with the team and felt these fans and support and buzz around the World Cup, is when I really started to feel it.”Players on the bubble experienced Monday’s Fifa roster deadline differently. “Probably within the last month was sort of when all these players were very, very nervous and wondering what was going to happen and hoping to be there,” said Gio Reyna, whose eventual inclusion felt unlikely for long stretches of the past year. “Coming down the last couple of weeks of the season, I think it was on everyone’s mind.”And now that the team has finally assembled, some members still don’t entirely sense that the moment is here. “Maybe that first game of the World Cup, being a part of that, maybe is when it will really hit; or maybe it will be a week after the entire World Cup – I’m not sure,” said defender Miles Robinson. “It’s slow to really sink in.”Leander Schaerlaeckens is the author of The Long Game: U.S. Men’s Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts, which is out now. He teaches at Marist University.

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Germany’s fans have been trying to improve the atmosphere at games of late. Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesJulian Nagelsmann will rely on a Bayern-based core, but individual class is in worryingly short supplyThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.Predicting Germany’s tactics is not entirely straightforward because Julian Nagelsmann likes to change his lineup and system. The result was five mediocre to poor performances in the qualifiers, including a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia that could easily have been heavier. But they were convincing in the return fixture, sweeping their opponents aside 6-0, and won their group convincingly.Nagelsmann will probably base his team from that match in Leipzig and will demand passion from his players. “We have to play with emotion,” says Nagelsmann, who is regarded as a tactical obsessive and is often seen shouting and raging in the technical area.The team’s traditional recipe for success has been to adopt the things that work well at Bayern Munich and in 1974 and 2014 that led to World Cup triumphs. The chances of a repeat initially appear favourable: this season has gone exceptionally well for Germany’s only world-class club. Nagelsmann is therefore likely to rely on a Bayern core of Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala and the impact substitute Lennart Karl (with Serge Gnabry out through injury) as well as Manuel Neuer, who ended his international retirement in May to play in his fifth World Cup.But can the Munich axis be relied upon? Musiala is out of form and in recent months was not much more influential for Bayern than Goretzka, who sat on the bench in all the important matches in the second half of the season yet still seems certain to start under Nagelsmann. And Kimmich will play in a different position for Germany than he does for Bayern: at right-back rather than in central midfield. It is a solution with risks.Kimmich embodies a problem in German football: there is a lack of individual class. He is certainly a master of the traditional virtues, but as captain, because of his shortcomings in tackles and one-on-ones, he does not measure up to predecessors such as Lothar Matthäus, Michael Ballack or Philipp Lahm. Germany also used to pride themselves on their goalkeepers and defenders. That, too, is lacking, despite the return of the 40-year-old Neuer. Nor are there any midfield strategists in the mould of Toni Kroos or Mesut Özil.The hope lies up front. In the No 10 role, Nagelsmann has a wide range of options in Florian Wirtz, Musiala, Kai Havertz and Karl, all of whom possess outstanding skills. He will probably use Havertz as a deep-lying centre-forward as there was never any doubt about the Arsenal forward’s technical ability, only about his efficiency. Will he be more clinical than he was at Euro 2024? He will need to be because, with Niclas Füllkrug and Nick Woltemade still not established, this is a team without a classic goalscorer.Florian Wirtz combines the qualities of a playmaker with those of a tireless team player in a way that is exceedingly rare. “He is extremely hard-working and not a classic No 10 who only wants the ball, but someone who also puts in a lot of work,” said Nagelsmann, who defended Wirtz when he came in for criticism in the months after he moved to England. Wirtz did not have a terrible season at Liverpool, but measured against his class and his transfer fee it has not been a particularly good one. The same applies, to some extent, to the national team. Against non-elite opponents, as in the 4-3 win in Switzerland in March, Wirtz can blow everyone away with his technique and interplay with Havertz or Karl. But if Germany are to be successful the 23-year-old will have to perform against major sides.At the age of 10, Lennart Karl had a trial at the Bernabéu, but decided to stay in Germany. When he said in January that Real Madrid was his dream club and he definitely wanted to play for them one day, some Bayern fans took offence. Yet it is probably this mixture of self-confidence and carefree ease that defines the 18-year-old. A year ago, he was playing for Bayern’s under-19s; now his dribbling is feared everywhere. He made his international debut in March. “He is calmer than I expected,” said Nagelsmann. “I had absolutely no sense the hype had gone to his head.”Nico Schlotterbeck and Antonio Rüdiger attract more attention, but Germany’s best defender is Jonathan Tah. His strength in the tackle and his composure on the ball will be crucial. Tah is not a man of many words and comes across as quiet off the pitch. On it, however, he seems to have found his role, and in the United States he will play his first World Cup match at the age of 30. “It was never pleasant playing against me, because I have a certain physicality,” he told Zeit two years ago. “But now I’m even more unpleasant, because I always keep my opponent in view and stay right on him.”“Olé, super Deutschland, olé!” “Deutschlaand, Deutschlaaand, Deutschlaaaand!” German terrace chants cannot quite keep up with the creativity of Musiala’s or Karl’s dribbling and during the home Euros two years agoNagelsmann complained that Germany’s fans were too quiet. Being typically German, the DFB set up a working group in 2024 to improve the atmosphere: the AG Stimmung. “People want to sing, they just need someone to tell them what to sing,” said lead chanter Bengt Kunkel. However, Kunkel will not be travelling to the United States. He feels the same as many fans, for whom this World Cup is simply too big and too expensive. Even so, there will probably be a few more supporters in the US, Mexico and Canada than there were in Qatar.Much like German football, it has seen better days. At the end of April, Friedrich Merz criticised Donald Trump in front of school pupils, saying he had gone to war with Iran without any strategy whatsoever. Trump’s response was that Merz had no idea what he was talking about and was doing a terrible job. That it may not always be wise to say every thought out loud is something the chancellor and the national coach still have to learn, the latter having had to row back on several occasions in his career. No one should expect any sign of rebellion from the DFB in the United States. There was some discussion in Germany about boycotting the World Cup because of the Greenland crisis, but only briefly. The DFB still seems traumatised by the One Love armband affair at the World Cup in Qatar. “I’m no longer taking part in the political discussion,” said the captain, Joshua Kimmich. “We’ve seen that it’s not really productive when we players speak out politically.”Written by Nico Horn and Oliver Fritsch for Die Zeit.

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Moisés Caicedo’s status in Ecuador is shown by a mural in the capital, Santo Domingo. ‘We can’t settle for just qualifying,’ he said. Photograph: Rodrigo Buendía/AFP/Getty ImagesSebastián Beccacece has established a miserly defence and Moisés Caicedo’s ability in midfield could help team take the next stepThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.La Tri arrive as one of the most solid and respected teams in Conmebol. They finished second in the qualifiers behind Argentina despite the points deduction from the 2022 Byron Castillo case, standing out for having one of the continent’s best defences and a long unbeaten streak.Sebastián Beccacece – influenced by Jorge Sampaoli and Marcelo Bielsa – relies on high intensity, aggressive pressing and quick transitions. He frequently uses 4-2-3-1 along with 4-4-2 or variations of it featuring a solid double pivot, a creative attacking midfielder and explosive wingers. The block remains compact, with emphasis on defensive solidity and vertical attacks. The defensive line is the team’s greatest strength: Willian Pacho (Paris St-Germain), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), Pervis Estupiñán (Milan) and Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge), who sometimes plays as a full-back, all provide balance and strength. In midfield, Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) is the box-to-box engine; up front Enner Valencia (Pachuca) remains lethal, while Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo) brings pace and flair.After an inconsistent 2024 Copa América campaign, when they won only one game in the group before being knocked out by Argentina, the eventual champions, in the quarter-finals, Ecuador secured World Cup qualification with victories that showed collective maturity. This is not a team dependent on one superstar; it is young and balanced. However, goals remains a problem; they scored 14 , conceding five, n 18 games in the qualifiers.“We wanted to maintain the defensive solidity the team already had … but also release the chains to maximise the players’ individual strengths,” said Beccacece. The head coach has had some mild criticism for sometimes being too cautious and his declarations are no longer as well received by a significant portion of fans, something that may not be as visible abroad.Ecuador are a dangerous dark horse: disciplined, athletic and eager to get through Group E against Germany, Côte d’Ivoire and Curaçao to repeat the success of advancing beyond the first round like they did at the 2006 edition in Germany.The Argentinian Sebastián Beccacece took charge in August 2024 when Félix Sánchez was sacked after Ecuador’s Copa América quarter-final defeat. A former assistant to Sampaoli with Chile and Argentina, Beccacece previously coached Racing, Independiente and Elche, but this is his first experience as a national head coach. He has brought structure, intensity and tactical flexibility and under his leadership, Ecuador breezed to second in Conmebol’s qualifications. His rock star-like style has rejuvenated La Tri and although some still criticise him for a style of play that does not fully excite fans he is focused on the majority: “The most rewarding and satisfying thing since we’ve been at the helm is seeing the fans reconnect with the players and rekindle their love for the national team. The fans have fallen back in love with the national team, particularly with this group of players.” He is one of the continent’s most respected – and talked about – coaches.Moisés Caicedo. A relentless midfield engine, he recovers balls, distributes with precision and constantly arrives in attacking areas. He is considered one of the best in the world in his position, with top-level experience in the Premier League and Champions League. Alongside Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, he forms the core of Ecuador’s new European-based generation. “It’s a short competition and we have to make the most of it,” Caicedo said. “We can’t settle for just qualifying: we know we’re capable of more. We’re raring to take that next step so that the days when simply qualifying was the be-all and end-all are confined to the past.” A future captain in the making, Caicedo combines physicality, technique and leadership. Ecuador no longer depends solely on Antonio Valencia; Caicedo is the axis that makes everything work.Kendry Páez remains Ecuador’s biggest emerging talent, although his European career has not exploded as expected. After his multimillion-dollar move to Chelsea, he struggled for consistency and has been far from the level many predicted, leading to loan spells at Strasbourg and River Plate. At River, he has earned only sporadic playing time and in recent weeks has not been a regular part of the squad. Even so, Beccacece continues to trust his dribbling ability, vision and immense potential. This could the perfect opportunity to prove why he is considered one of South America’s most exciting prospects. A rough diamond that needs to shine now.Willian Pacho and Alan Franco are Ecuador’s silent heroes. Pacho is the elegant left-footed centre-back who organises the defence with composure in buildup play and flawless duels. He does the quiet work that allows Ecuador to press high without taking unnecessary risks. Franco, meanwhile, is the all-action midfielder responsible for the dirty work: recovering balls, covering spaces, helping defensively and bringing balance to midfield. They do not steal headlines like Caicedo or Valencia, but they are fundamental to Ecuador’s collective solidity.Ecuadorian fans are expected to travel to the US in strong numbers thanks to the proximity and they will be boosted by the large migrant community. Expect bright yellow everywhere, giant flags, hats and nonstop joy. Supporters loudly sing “¡Ecuador, Ecuador!” and “Sí se puede”. The atmosphere will be vibrant, festive and generally peaceful – more dancing than fighting. Fans are expected to turn the venues into a true tricolor celebration filled with colour, drums and unconditional support as they seek revenge after Qatar 2022, where the team exited in the group stage. Bring sunscreen and patience for the traffic.Ecuador, under president Daniel Noboa, maintains a cordial and pragmatic relationship with the US and Donald Trump: cooperation against drug trafficking, trade agreements and generally good chemistry. Trump has spoken positively about Ecuador regarding economic matters. The national team and the Ecuadorian federation remain politically neutral and focused on football (Beccacece is Argentinian, so he avoids political comments) and fans appreciate the proximity because many Ecuadorians live in the US. Overall, the vibe is good between the countries: fans will arrive ready to enjoy the World Cup with no major political drama … just some reggaeton and ceviche.Written by Francisco Limongi for Studio Fútbol.

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‘The heat is a challenge but we are prepared already’Head coach believes team can go far at tournamentHeat and humidity will be obstacles to overcome but England have full belief in their ability and can go far at the World Cup, Thomas Tuchel has said. The head coach has received help from Team GB, drawing on their Olympic experiences, and other specialists to find solutions for the weather conditions.Some of Tuchel’s 26-player squad flew from Birmingham to Miami on Monday for a 10-day hot-weather acclimatisation camp. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have been given more time to recover after Saturday’s Champions League final and Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson, who played the Conference League final last week, is also expected to be a later arrival.The other 21 players, some of them on holiday in the Americas and Caribbean, will meet up in West Palm Beach to prepare for a friendly against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday. Tuchel recognised the heat would not be to England’s advantage after a long and demanding club season.“We are not used to being in this kind of heat and humidity, and even altitude if we play in Mexico,” he told Sky Sports. “There will be a lot of challenges in this World Cup. The heat is one of them but we are prepared already.“We know the individual reaction of the players to the heat and we have cooling strategies in place. We’ve had help from Team GB and specialists all over the world to come up with solutions that help the players to adapt.“We know exactly the amount of time we want to expose them in pre-camp, the ideal amount of time that you should train in the sun and that we also don’t do too much.”Scorching heat was a major concern at the June-July 2025 Club World Cup in the US, with medical experts and players’ unions expressing concerns about heat stress, dehydration and slower recovery times. Tuchel said England were not making excuses before the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico.“It [the heat] is a factor but it should not come across that we are already making excuses,” he said. “It’s just not in our favour and it is an obstacle to overcome.”Tuchel said he was positive about what lies ahead. “When I reconnected with the games and built our training sessions and meetings to reconnect the team in Florida with what we have built already, I saw a lot of quality,” he said. “That instantly gave me the full belief and excitement that we can go a long way.”