Building a portfolio in 2026 does not need to start with dozens of positions.
In many cases, a small number of well-chosen exchange traded funds (ETFs) can do most of the heavy lifting. The trick is finding funds that each play a clear role, so they work together rather than overlap.
Here are three ASX ETFs that could form the backbone of a portfolio this year.
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VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)
The first ASX ETF to consider is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.
Instead of chasing the fastest-growing companies, this fund leans into consistency.
It focuses on businesses with strong returns on equity, stable earnings, and low debt. These are often the companies that quietly keep delivering, regardless of the economic backdrop.
Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Visa (NYSE: V).
What makes the fund interesting in a portfolio is its role as a stabiliser. It does not rely on one theme or one cycle. It is built around the idea that high-quality businesses tend to keep compounding over time. It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
Another ASX ETF that could form a core position is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.
It is often seen as a simple way to invest in the US market, but it can also be thought of as a proxy for global innovation.
Many of the world's most influential companies are listed in the United States, and this ETF gives broad exposure to them in one trade.
Its holdings include NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL).
The strength of the iShares S&P 500 ETF is coverage. It does not try to pick winners. It owns the market, allowing the biggest and most successful companies to naturally take up more space over time.
BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)
A third ASX ETF that could complete the picture is BetaShares Australian Quality ETF.
It applies a similar quality lens as the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF, but to ASX shares.
It selects companies based on factors like profitability, earnings stability, and balance sheet strength. This results in a portfolio that looks quite different to the broader ASX 200.
Its holdings can include names such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).
This means that rather than always being heavily weighted to just banks and miners, it tilts toward businesses with stronger underlying fundamentals. It was recently recommended by analysts at BetaShares.
