Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFootball is moving into a different age and even the World Cup is not immune.Last season's Premier League saw a greater emphasis on physical prowess with Arsenal notably using their set-piece proficiency to end a 22-year wait for the title.Mikel Arteta's champions made considerable gains with 25 non-penalty goals gleaned from dead ball scenarios in the English top flight across the previous campaign.World Cup's tallest teams revealedBut the approach favoured by the Gunners is set to translate to the international stage, not least with their players forming the bulk of England's World Cup squadSeveral nations are similarly determined on making size count during this summer's tournament in North America based on FIFA's official findings on the tallest teams. You may like How to watch World Cup 2026: FREE live streams, groups, next matches World Cup 2026 odds: Who are the favourites to lift the trophy? World Cup 2026 power rankings: Are Lionel Messi and Argentina still the team to beat? All 48 teams taking part in the World Cup were ranked by order of their average squad height with each of the top five teams coming in at comfortably over six feet apiece.The Czech Republic actually boast the largest number of players by height with 10 members of Miroslav Koubek's current 26-man squad all measuring above 190cm.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.However their overall squad only stacks up at 185.7cm with perennial international dark horses Belgium faring fractionally better in fourth with an average of 185.8cm.Sweden's desire for physical prowess saw Graham Potter call up several statuesque players with Gustaf Nilsson and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom standing tallest at 197cm.Top spot belongs to two nations with Norway, whose talisman Erling Haaland measures 195cm, and Bosnia & Herzegovina both averaging out at 187.2cm.The distinction of the World Cup's tallest player overall belongs to Austria goalkeeper Florian Wiegele at 205cm - almost four inches greater than Haaland's stature.At the other end of the scale, Saudi Arabia were ranked as the smallest squad with an average of 178.4cm while Panama's Cesar Yanis is the shortest player overall at 160cm.But if the 170cm Lionel Messi has taught us anything, bigger is not always better.TOPICSErling HaalandCzech RepublicNorwayBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaSwedenWorld Cup 2026World CupRichard Buxton
