For the last four editions of the men’s World Cup, there has been one constant: a European champion.
Ever since Brazil won its record fifth title in 2002, it has become the UEFA invitational, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France claiming the subsequent World Cup titles in succession. There’s no shortage of European contenders this time around. France, despite all of its injuries and question marks, remains—on paper, anyway—a legitimate candidate to become the first repeat champion since 1962. Germany has reloaded, while Spain took a step forward during Euro 2020 and appears poised to build upon it.
England has been ripe for the picking of late, but it has made at least the semifinals in each of its last two major tournaments under Gareth Southgate, while Croatia and Belgium enter as the reigning silver and bronze medalists, respectively.
