Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
Home
»
World Cup 2026
»
WHO WILL LIFT THE TROPHY WITH THE MOST EMOTION?
Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement, but lifting the trophy with tears, shouts, and unbridled passion… that's something else entirely. Some teams arrive thirsty for revenge, others with golden generations on the verge of retirement, and still others because their history has never seen them crowned champions. Who will lift the trophy with the most emotion at the 2026 World Cup? In this article, we analyze it from every angle: historical emotion, symbolic weight, iconic figures, statistics, and even mystique. Because not all titles are celebrated the same way…
Teams that would be overflowing with emotion upon winning
Not all teams would feel the same way about lifting the World Cup. For some, it would be closing an open wound. For others, fulfilling a long-denied dream. Here we tell you which could be the most excited—and exciting—champions of 2026.
1. Argentina: Messi's farewell (or not?)
If Messi makes it to 2026 and Argentina wins again, no one could hold back the tears. It would be an epic farewell to the living legend of football, with tears from Rosario to Ushuaia. After what happened in Qatar, lifting another trophy would be a national explosion. It would be the first back-to-back championship since Brazil in 1962. Messi would reach 5 World Cups played, a total record. La Scaloneta maintains an impressive unbeaten record in the qualifiers. 2. Portugal: The missing title. Portugal has already won the Euros and the Nations League, but the crowning achievement is missing. Cristiano Ronaldo may no longer be on the pitch, but if this generation achieves it with him watching from the stands, tears will rain from Lisbon to Madeira. João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, and Leão lead the change. Cristiano played in 5 World Cups without lifting the trophy. It would be Portugal's first World Cup in their history. 3. Mexico: Breaking the curse. "The fifth game" is El Tri's eternal karma. Imagine if Mexico wins the World Cup at home, with their fans, and finally ends their drought. The Azteca Stadium would erupt with pure emotion, decades of frustration overflowing into a single roar.
They have played in 17 World Cups without making it past the quarterfinals.
They have never been as close as they were in 1986.
They have a generation with young players like Santiago Giménez and experienced veterans like Memo Ochoa.
Other Candidates with Reasons to Cry
There are teams that, although powerhouses, have been searching for years to taste glory again. For them, winning the 2026 World Cup would be more than just excitement: it would be redemption, revenge, historical justice. These are the names that could also lift the cup with tears in their eyes.
England: The Longest Wait
Since 1966, nothing. England has had golden generations, penalty shootout tragedies, and painful defeats. If they manage to win in 2026, after 60 years, the emotion would be national. And the pubs would probably run out of beer.
Finalists in Euro 2020, semi-finalists in Russia 2018.
They have a golden generation with Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane.
They lead several expected goals rankings in UEFA knockout rounds.
Netherlands: The eternal runners-up
They have played in three finals: 1974, 1978, 2010. In all of them, it slipped through their fingers. The Netherlands are the uncrowned kings of world football. If they lift the cup in 2026, the emotion will be historic. And even more so if they do it with their classic style of possession and high pressing. They qualified at a good pace despite the generational change. Xavi Simons, Gakpo, and Frenkie de Jong are the current stars. They have been in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings for a decade. Senegal: Africa at the top. An African champion would be pure excitement for an entire continent. Senegal has what it takes: talent, strength, mentality, and experience. And after Morocco's historic 2022 campaign, anything is possible. 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions. Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly as key players. They reached the Round of 16 in 2022 despite significant absences. Imagine Aliou Cissé, a player from the 2002 team, lifting the trophy now as manager. The tears would flow like stoppage-time goals.
It's not just about winning, it's about what it means
The emotion of lifting the cup isn't measured in goals or statistics. It's measured in history, in healed wounds, in dreams fulfilled. Every team has its reasons, but some will carry more emotion than others if they manage to reach the pinnacle.
More than football: identity and people
When a team lifts the cup, it does so for millions. For those who are here and those who are no longer with us. For generations who dreamed and didn't see it. For neighborhoods that come to a standstill, for radios that are on, for inherited jerseys. That's why some titles are more exciting than others.
Argentina 2022 felt like the end of an era.
Spain 2010 was a vindication after decades of frustration.
France 1998 was a celebration of unity and diversity.
What if a new country wins?
If the 2026 champion is a country that has never won, like Belgium, Mexico, Morocco, or South Korea, the excitement will be indescribable. The images of players crying, coaches embracing, and entire towns celebrating will remain forever. And you, who do you imagine lifting the cup with the most emotion? Because football is pure emotion. But when the cup is raised, everything is multiplied.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED
