Ninety-six games played, just eight more to come. FIFA World Cup 2026 has lived up to its billing as the biggest of all time, and may yet end up in the conversation as the best tournament too.We’re down to the final eight nations with hopes of winning the trophy – four of them for the first time – while the other four are aiming to write a new glorious chapter in their football history.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listBut now the last 16 and the first rest day of the competition are out of the way, who has the best chance of being crowned champions in New York/New Jersey on July 19?Al Jazeera ranks the contenders for the title: Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi has been one of the breakout stars of World Cup 2026 [Alex Grimm/Getty Images via AFP]8. SwitzerlandIt feels like a place in the last eight for the first time in 72 years is already a win for the Swiss, and few expect them to make further history.Murat Yakin’s men benefitted from a kind draw which pitted them against the cohosts Canada, Bosnia and Qatar, and they only managed to ensure top of that group by withstanding late pressure from the Maple Leafs after being held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar in their opening match.They overcame Algeria without too much alarm in the last 32 but needed penalties to eliminate an off-form Colombia in the last round, with the Swiss failing to register a shot on target after the 32nd minute of normal time.The potential loss of speedy 20-year-old Johan Ma …
