The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and with it, the much-anticipated update to FM26, which will bring the event and moreover international football finally to the game, via a long-term partnership with FIFA.
Now, we all like a challenge when playing FM, whether it’s the classic Journeyman save, a Build A Nation or Road To Glory, these long-term saves offer something to get your teeth into, but with this World Cup DLC incoming, a short, sharp international campaign could just be the ticket to breathe some energy into the game, so rather than try and win the tournament with Brazilian wonderkids or similar, how about attempting to win the event with one of the smaller participants playing this Summer?
In reality, betting sites will price the smaller nations at astronomical odds to win the 2026 World Cup, but in the cozy world of FM, anything can and usually does happen, so, how about a couple of choice ideas for when the DLC drops? Here are a couple of straightforward challengers to try once the World Cup drops on FM26.
The Smallest Nation Save?
When Uruguay won the World Cup back in 1930, their population was estimated to be around 1.5 million, with a rise to 2.5 million, when they won again back in 1950.
So, your task is “simple”, win the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the smallest nation (by population) possible.
There are six nations with a population of 5 million or less to try this out with:
- Panama – 4.57 million
- Croatia – 3.87 million
- Uruguay – 3.5 million
- Qatar – 3.2 million
- Cabo Verde – 525,000
- Curacao – 185,000
Achieving this with Croatia or Uruguay certainly looks achievable, but could you do the unthinkable and win with Curacao?
The First African Winner?
Morocco finished in 4th place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, making it the single greatest performance by an African nation in the history of the tournament.
Over the years, we have also seen Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal reach the last eight of the finals, but can you make history at the 2026 tournament?
There are nine nations from Africa appearing this Summer, with Morocco leading the candidates, but can you take them all to glory?
- Morocco (8th in FIFA Rankings)
- Senegal (14th)
- Algeria (28th)
- Egypt (29th)
- Cote D’Ivoire (34th)
- Tunisia (44th)
- DR Congo (46th)
- South Africa (60th)
- Cabo Verde (69th)
Want to add to the challenge? Try a side ranked outside the Top 40 to add extra spice to your campaign.
The First Timers!
The FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 nations, and with that, a handful of new nations will be making their first ever appearance too.
So, could you take any of the four nations below, to World Cup glory in their first ever finals appearance?
- Cabo Verde
- Curacao
- Jordan
- Uzbekistan
Alternatively, if you are looking to expand the scope of nations to pick from, how about incorporating sides that have just a single appearance to their names, which offers a further five options!
- Canada
- DR Congo (formally Zaire)
- Haiti
- Iraq
- Senegal
If you are really looking to enhance the challenge, you could go for Uzbekistan or Jordan, to double-up the challenge and make it a first timer / Asian winner, which would certainly be a management achievement of epic proportions!
The “It’s Nae Coming Home” Save
And one final save to consider!
It’s been 60 years since England won the World Cup, yet the public expectation has never been higher, thanks in part to consecutive losses at Euros Finals.
However, rather than go down the “It’s coming home” route, how about looking north and instead take the Tartan Army to glory?
Scotland may not have the huge names that the Three Lions do, but a large pool of players may help you find the perfect squad and tactic to build.
A tough opening group that features Brazil and Morocco will prepare you for the latter stages, so a defensively sound, counter-attacking setup may be the way forward.
Can you help Andy Robertson lift the World Cup trophy?
