The 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen European teams dominate, but their initial slow start raised eyebrows. Despite the heat in North America being a talking point, European managers didn't blame conditions. Belgium's draw with Egypt and Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Qatar highlighted their initial struggles. However, as the tournament progressed, European teams found their stride. By the end of the group stage, they had 17 wins, 12 draws, and seven losses against non-European teams. This dominance continued in the knockouts, with England's battling display against Mexico, France's resilience against Paraguay, and Belgium's brush-aside of the USA. The format expansion to 48 teams and an extra knockout round has only emphasized their strength. European teams dominate the FIFA world rankings, with five of the top eight sides from Europe and four reaching the last eight. France, Spain, and England are the favorites, with France living up to expectations and Kylian Mbappe in Golden Boot contention. Norway's return to the World Cup, aided by Erling Haaland's brilliance, and Switzerland's historic run to the last eight, showcase the depth of European talent. The question remains: can a non-European team break the continent's stranglehold on the World Cup title?
