Use Global Stock Market Returns to Pick a Backup World Cup 2026 SquadNEWS | 11 June 2026The World Cup is finally upon us. Mexico will host South Africa in the opening match, and then we'll be treated to 27 straight days of games.
You probably already have a primary team you're supporting. But it's good to have a backup in case your squad suffers an early exit. I'm hoping that's not an issue for the US team, but it's always good to be prepared (and a realist).
One option would be to look at the most heavily-favored teams. According to Vegas odds, they are, in order: Spain, France, England, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany. But isn't that a little boring?
I suggest going out on a bit of a limb and channeling your inner investor. What better way to hop onto a bandwagon than by picking a team whose country has a red-hot stock market?
Below is a ranking of the World Cup-qualifying nations whose major domestic stock indexes have returned 10% or more so far in 2026 — none of which are among the top favorites. They're presented in increasing order of year-to-date return through Wednesday.
And as a bonus for the soccer fans among us, I've included scouting reports for key players from each of these nations.
7. Belgium
Index: BEL 20
YTD return: +10%
MVP: Lotus Bakeries (+47%)
Player to watch: Jérémy Doku. The Premier League's most dangerous attacker this past season, Doku is a lightning-fast runner and dribbler who constantly spins up scoring chances out of nothing on the left wing.
6. Netherlands
Index: AEX
YTD return: +11%
MVP: BE Semiconductor Industries (+116%)
Player to watch: Virgil van Dijk. At 34 years old, van Dijk is no longer the world's best central defender (although he certainly was for a long time). But he's still capable of locking down star strikers, winning everything in the air, and scoring headers off corner kicks.
5. Austria
Index: ATX
YTD return: +12%
MVP: Austria Technologie & System (+325%)
Player to watch: Konrad Laimer. Austria loves to press. And Laimer, who plays at the highest level of club soccer for Bayern Munich, is exactly the type of tireless player that can cover tons of ground. He's not a flashy star, but he'll win every ball.
4. Poland
Index: WIG20
YTD return: +13%
MVP: Orlen SA (+50%)
Player to watch: Jakub Kiwior. I know, I know. Robert Lewandowski is the Polish soccer GOAT. But Kiwior is the new beating heart and defensive backbone of the Polish team. Club bonafides include stints at Arsenal and Porto.
3. Turkey
Index: BIST 100
YTD return: +22%
MVP: Katilimevim Tasarruf Finansman AS (+651%)
Player to watch: Arda Güler. After bursting onto the scene at the Euro 2024 tournament, Güler secured a move to Real Madrid and has spent the last two seasons fighting for minutes. He's magical when he plays, and Turkey's chances rest squarely on his lethal left foot.
2. Japan
Index: Nikkei 225
YTD return: +27%
MVP: Kioxia Holdings (+576%)
Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo. The team's offensive focal point in the absence of the injured Kaoru Mitoma, Kubo has been called the "Japanese Messi." Let's see if he can live up to it.
1. South Korea
Index: KOSPI
YTD return: +83%
MVP: Samsung (+608%)
Player to watch: Lee Kang-in. Korea's chief creator and top playmaker plies his trade for the world's best club team (Paris St. Germain) and will probably be involved in every goal his team scores.Author: More Stories. Joe Ciolli. Every Time. Look Out For An Alert In Your Inbox The Next Time. Source
