How to Pick a Team to Support at the World Cup
There is no wrong answer. Here's every way to do it — and why it doesn't matter how many teams you back.
One of the first things people ask when they start getting into the World Cup is: "Who am I supposed to support?"
The honest answer is: whoever you want. There's no test to pass, no committee to apply to. Nobody is going to question your credentials or tell you your reason isn't valid enough. The best fans in the world chose their team for all sorts of reasons — and the only wrong reason is if you don't actually want to support them.
From the pitch — a former competitive player
"My teams are France, England, Argentina, Brazil — and every single African team. I want to see Africa do well every tournament. 2026 has the most African nations ever at a World Cup and that's huge for the continent. But the thing is — those are my teams because I chose them. Nobody gave me a list. Pick your teams, own them, and support them with everything you've got. Multiple teams is completely fine. The World Cup is long — you want to stay invested all the way through."
5 Legitimate Ways to Pick Your Team
Your heritage or where you're from
The most common way. Where were you born? Where are your parents or grandparents from? A lot of people find that once they start watching a country they have roots in, the connection hits differently. You're not just watching a game — you feel like you have skin in it. If you're American, Mexican, or Canadian, you've got a host nation to shout for right on home soil.
A player you admire
You don't need to know anything about a country to follow them — you just need to know one player. Messi plays for Argentina. Mbappe plays for France. Ronaldo is probably playing his last ever World Cup for Portugal. Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha lead Brazil. Pick a player who caught your eye and follow their team. That's a completely legitimate way to pick, and plenty of lifelong fans started exactly like that.
The jersey
This gets more eyerolls than it deserves. But honestly? If you see a kit and think it looks incredible, that's a real reason. You're going to be wearing it, watching in it, and representing it at watch parties. Argentina's light blue and white stripes, Brazil's yellow, Morocco's red — if the shirt speaks to you, run with it. You'll care more about the team once you own their colours.
The underdog
Some people can't bring themselves to support a favourite. If you'd rather get behind a team with something to prove — a nation punching above their weight, making the tournament for the first time, or carrying an entire continent on their back — those are the stories that make the World Cup special. The underdogs always produce the moments everyone's still talking about decades later.
The host nations
USA, Canada, and Mexico are all co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. If you're in North America and you haven't had a team before, this is your moment. Rooting for a host nation at a home tournament is electric — the crowd, the atmosphere, the whole country behind them. All three have squads capable of going deep. This is the easiest entry point there is.
The African Teams — Historic at 2026
The 2026 World Cup will feature ten African nations— the most in the tournament's history. For the first time, the continent has the representation it deserves. DR Congo secured the 10th spot by beating Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff, making it a historic moment for African football. Ten nations, ten stories, and an entire continent watching.
Morocco
Senegal
Egypt
Ghana
Algeria
Tunisia
Ivory Coast
South Africa
Cape Verde
DR CongoDR Congo secured the 10th African spot by beating Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff — a historic first for African football.
Can I support more than one team?
Yes. Absolutely yes. The World Cup runs for a month with 48 teams. Your main team might go out in the group stage. What then — do you just stop watching? Of course not.
Most real fans have a primary team they bleed for, and then a whole list of teams they're rooting for throughout the rest of the tournament. You might support England as your main team but also want Morocco to go deep because you love watching them play. That's not contradictory — that's just being a proper football fan.
The only rule is this: whatever teams you pick, support them because you genuinely want to. Not because someone told you to. Not to look cool. Pick them because something about them caught you — and then they're yours.
Whoever you pick — that's your team.
Own it. Shout for them. Don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
Need inspiration?
The 10 Teams to Watch
Breakdowns of the favourites and dark horses — find a squad that gets you going.
Got your team?
Now learn how to watch
What to look for before kickoff, during the match, and when the big moments happen.