48 nations will contest the 2026 World Cup, but some need success more than others.

The competition’s minnows and debutants will simply be overjoyed to have secured their tickets to the festival of soccer staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, while heavyweights such as Argentina and France have already proven themselves during recent tournaments.

There is, however, a significant crop of countries tasked with matching lofty expectations this summer, many of whom are eager to right the wrongs of past tournaments when they take to the field. Some travel to North America with a major point to prove.

Here are those desperately in need of imposing themselves at the 2026 World Cup .

Belgium

Belgium has often failed to meet expectations. | Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Belgium has spent much of the past decade falling short of projections.…