The World Cup starts on Thursday!
Though the United States won’t host its first game until Friday night in Los Angeles, Mexico takes on South Africa and Czechia and South Korea also play in Mexico on Thursday.
You may have seen some warm-up matches for the World Cup being played at SEC stadiums in past weeks, including Lionel Messi’s Argentina squad playing at Kyle Field and Jordan-Hare Stadium.
That got us thinking… which World Cup squads are the most similar to each SEC football program? Here’s what we came up with:
Georgia Bulldogs: Argentina
The comparison is almost too easy. Argentina entered the 2020s by finally ending its drought and then followed it up with total global dominance. Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are the defending SEC champions and the sport’s new NFL factory. They are the standard by which all others are measured — technical, ruthless, and possessing a psychological edge before the whistle even blows.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Germany
Historically, you never bet against the machine. However, both Germany and Alabama find themselves in a transitional phase. After a decade of clinical efficiency, Germany has spent the last few years searching for a new identity. Alabama is doing the same in the post-Nick Saban era. The Tide are still terrifyingly talented and projected for 9-plus wins, but the aura of inevitability has been replaced by a dangerous-but-vulnerable tag.
Texas Longhorns: USA
The 2026 World Cup is a homecoming for the USMNT, and the 2026 season feels like a homecoming for Texas as a national power. With Arch Manning, the Christian Pulisic of college football, entering his third season as the face of the program, the hype has reached a fever pitch. Like the U.S., Texas has every resource imaginable, a home-field advantage, and the lingering question of whether it can actually beat the traditional world powers when the lights are brightest.
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Prediction Markets World Cup Winner? Learn more about Prediction Markets Kalshi Spain 17% France 16% England 10% Portugal 10% Argentina 9% Brazil 8% Germany 6% Netherlands 5% Norway 2% USA 2% PredictLSU Tigers: Brazil
In 2026, the LSU Tigers have embraced the Joga Bonito (the beautiful game) philosophy under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Like Brazil, LSU is where flair meets expectation. They have an all-star roster built through the portal and a party atmosphere that masks a deep, cultural obsession with winning. (After all, there’s no better environment than Death Valley on a Saturday night.) When they are on, they are the most entertaining team in the world. When they are off, the internal drama can be just as spectacular.
Ole Miss Rebels: Portugal
Coming off a 13-2 season and a CFP semifinal run in 2025, the Ole Miss Rebels are no longer just a fun story. They are Portugal — a team that was once a one-man show but has developed into a deep, dangerous squad with high-end individual stars that compare to Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss. They have the Ronaldo energy of a program that knows it belongs on the big stage and isn’t afraid to let you know it.
Texas A&M Aggies: Saudi Arabia
The Texas A&M Aggies represent the new money and massive ambition trying to disrupt the traditional hierarchy. After Mike Elko led them to an 11-win season and a Playoff appearance in 2025, the investment is finally seeing a return. Much like the Saudi league’s impact on global soccer, Texas A&M has used unprecedented resources to force its way into the national conversation.
Oklahoma Sooners: Netherlands
The Oklahoma Sooners are the “best team to never win it all” recently. They are technically sound, historically elite (with 7 national titles, but none since 2000), and consistently produce some of the best talent in the game. But like the Dutch, and especially in the Playoff era, they often find themselves 1 or 2 steps short of the ultimate prize. Brent Venables has built a defense-first identity that mirrors the tactical rigidity of a top European side — beautifully organized, yet still seeking that final breakthrough.
Tennessee Volunteers: England
The pressure in Knoxville is identical to the pressure in London. “It’s Coming Home” is the unofficial motto of a fan base that remembers their historical greatness and is convinced that this year is the year the drought ends. With an overhauled defense under Jim Knowles and an explosive offense (though questions at quarterback remain), the Tennessee Volunteers are a team that are a threat to anyone, provided they don’t buckle under the weight of their own history.
Missouri Tigers: Morocco
Mizzou was the 2022 World Cup’s Morocco — the team that shocked the world, proved its 10-win pedigree wasn’t a fluke, and established itself as a permanent thorn in the side of the elite. Eli Drinkwitz has created a strong culture that relies on elite backfield production (Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts) and a disciplined defense. The Tigers aren’t the flashiest, but they are the team no one wants to see on their schedule in November.
Florida Gators: Italy
A traditional giant that has spent too much time watching the big tournaments from home. After missing the mark in recent years, the Florida Gators have turned to a new coach in Jon Sumrall to rebuild the foundation. Like the Azzurri, Florida is focusing on a defense-first rebuild (the Gators have the most returning production on defense, per ESPN) and trying to reclaim its status as a program that makes it to (and does well in) big games.
Kentucky Wildcats: Croatia
Punching above your weight class is a lifestyle in Lexington and Zagreb. Both rely on a specific, gritty identity. They don’t have the 5-star depth of a Georgia or a France, but they have the developmental know-how and have the ability to drag anyone into a 60-minute street fight.
Auburn Tigers: France
Auburn is the ultimate high-variance team. On their best day, the Tigers have the talent to destroy the world’s best. On their worst day, internal chaos can lead to an early exit. Alex Golesh has brought a high-tempo, explosive system to the Plains that mirrors the French attack — speed, spacing, and the ability to score from anywhere. If the chemistry holds, they are a threat; if not, it’s a long winter.
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Vanderbilt Commodores: Japan
Coming off a magical 10-win season in 2025, Vanderbilt proved that intelligence and bursts of greatness can overcome a talent gap. The Commodores are the Japan of the SEC — organized, proficient, and capable of a “Giant Killing” at any moment. They play with a specific plan and rarely beat themselves, making every game a stressful experience for their opponents.
South Carolina Gamecocks: Mexico
The passion in Columbia rivals the passion in Mexico City. Both have host nation energy with a home-field advantage that is legitimately terrifying for visitors. “Sandstorm” makes the entire stadium shake. However, both Mexico and South Carolina are often stuck in that “mid-tier” reality where they are better than the bottom but struggle to break into the elite. Shane Beamer’s overhauled staff is looking for that one signature win that finally moves them into the knockout rounds of the SEC race.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Uruguay
Small population, massive chip on the shoulder, and a deep history of being tough as nails. Arkansas is in a rebuilding phase under Ryan Silverfield, looking to reclaim the physical identity that has defined the program for decades. They play a style of football that is often described as unpleasant for the opposition — exactly how Uruguay likes it.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: South Korea
Relentless work ethic and a refusal to go away. Mississippi State is the team that will run until the 90th minute (or the 4th quarter). Under Jeff Lebby’s system, the Bulldogs are a major trap team — a squad with enough tactical identity to punish you if you overlook them for even a single series.
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