World Cup 2030: Who Can Topple Spain From the Throne?

With Spain crowned world champions, The Guardian has cast an eye four years forward to ask who might challenge them in 2030. The piece notes that several giants of the game, among them Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Neymar, James Rodríguez and Guillermo Ochoa, made what could be their final World Cup appearances in 2026, departing the stage with emotional exits.

For any player aged 32 or older right now, the Guardian notes that selection for 2030 is far from guaranteed, and daily routines will need to change to stay competitive against younger rivals closing in.

On the United States side, the article points to a core of experienced players who should still be around for 2030, including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. Younger talents such as Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna are expected to be entering their prime by then. Despite a last-16 exit in 2026, a strong group of players gives the hosts real hope for home advantage in 2030.

Spain, meanwhile, will arrive as defending champions with a squad that could still be near its peak, making them the team everyone else will be measuring themselves against.