World Cup 2026 - Preview and Prediction

World Cup 2026 - Preview and Predictions

The greatest show on earth returns. It doesn’t quite feel real that it’s that time again. It’s been (almost) four years since Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar, and now we do it all over again. It’s about as open a World Cup as I can remember. We’re going to undertake the very easy task of previewing the favourites and predicting a winner. One thing’s for certain: the world will watch, and we will feast on a summer of football.

Argentina

The world champions are seeking to do what no team has done since Brazil in 1962 and retain the World Cup. Since Qatar 2022, Argentina have retained the Copa América and stormed the South American qualifying stage, cementing themselves as South America’s leading nation.

Just like Spain, Argentina’s team is settled, with each player knowing exactly what they’re doing. Angel Di Maria is the only absentee from four years ago; however, it’s pretty much as you were for the rest of the squad. And yes, that little fella is still around. Just how good Lionel Messi still is, I guess none of us know. The majority of worldwide football fans haven’t watched him play football regularly in four years. We’ve lived off clips and snippets from social media of moments he’s produced in the MLS for Inter Miami. Just how much does the messiah have left?

A word on their coach too, Lionel Scaloni. A man who is right at the top of the pecking order in terms of the job he’s done. Two Copa América titles and a World Cup win is an incredible feat from where he inherited this Argentina side. He’s managed to build a winning team around Messi that’s streetwise, whilst also very impressive on and off the ball. Their demolition of Brazil last year was a marker. Sixth favourites is not where I would put Argentina, as you’d be a brave man to bet against them.

Spain

The European champions arrive at the World Cup as slight favourites. It’s been forgotten just how good Spain were at Euro 2024. They blew away the impressive Germany, thoroughly outplayed the less-than-impressive (but stacked) France, and deservedly beat England in the final. Sixteen-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams lit up the flanks, but it was the midfield that shone brightest in Germany. We forget, too, that La Roja were without one of their best players in Pedri.

Continuity is an under-appreciated aspect of winning football teams, and that’s what Spain have. Continuity in coach, playing squad and identity. We know what we’re getting; it’s just a question of how good it will be. If Spain are at their best, given the heat and conditions of this World Cup, they’ll be very difficult to defeat.

Weaknesses? Perhaps in defence, with a lack of household names. But hey, if you have the ball, how will the opposition score? Spain’s flying wingers, Yamal and Williams, are coming into the tournament with injury and fitness issues, and if they’re not at 100%, or near enough, Spain will not be as electric as they were at Euro 2024.

France

Va va voom! Their squad, particularly in attack, is mind-blowing. They have three of the best attackers in the world, all in their starting XI in Olise, Dembele and Mbappe. Their defence is strong, albeit they have a lack of top-quality full-backs, and their midfield is good without being spectacular. Their coach is a World Cup winner with France and came within a penalty shootout of retaining the World Cup four years ago.

And yet, there remains a feeling that he’s somehow, slightly, holding them back. The “water-carrier”, as he was known when he won the World Cup in 1998 as a player, has made the French team in his image. Disciplined, determined and, quite frankly, dull. If Deschamps can find the right balance between discipline and letting the attacking players do their thing, France could be unstoppable. It’s his last World Cup, and a World Cup triumph would see him go down as one of the best international coaches of all time. Perhaps he’ll ease off the handbrake and let these incredible players run riot.

France’s squad demands that they will be there or thereabouts, as does their recent World Cup record. Winners eight years ago, finalists four years ago. Can they cement themselves as one of the great international teams?

England

Is it coming home? Blah blah blah. The noise isn’t as loud as previous tournaments. The talent pool in the squad isn’t as deep as in previous tournaments. Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold have all been left at home, and by design, by England coach Thomas Tuchel. The German has been brought in to win the World Cup. Predecessor Southgate had us within whiskers of winning tournaments, so persuading Tuchel to leave club football and take up international management was ambitious and done for one reason only: to win.

Tuchel may be the deciding factor for England in America. He’s shown he’s elite tactically and, particularly in knockout football, evidenced by his Champions League win at Chelsea when he took over in the autumn, and the multiple cup finals he achieved there. Unlike Southgate at Euro 2024, Tuchel is ruthless and has picked — and not picked — players to fit the system he has in mind. “It’s your best 11 and not your 11 best” comes to mind.

On the pitch, England have arguably the world’s best striker in Harry Kane, and the selection of quick, direct players to play around him is a clear attempt to get the best out of him. England’s midfield options offer variety and they subtly have cheat codes at full-back in James and O’Reilly, who will supplement the midfield while the wingers play wide.

I’m as optimistic ahead of a World Cup as I’ve ever been as an England fan. A clear identity and a clear plan can hopefully lead to success in what looks a tougher route to the final than we’ve had in recent Euros. Semi-finals should be the expectation, and from there, who knows?

Will it come home? Maybe.

Brazil

I don’t know about you, but when I think of the World Cup, I think of Brazil. The first World Cup I can remember watching, in 2002, was dominated and won by Brazil, with stars Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. A good Brazil is good for the World Cup. Previous World Cups have been good despite Brazil being fairly lacklustre; however, there is renewed optimism that this iteration of Brazil, managed by Don Carlo, can shine.

On the pitch, there are star players in Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and, perhaps in more of a squad role than usual, Neymar. Their two centre-backs, Gabriel and Marquinhos, are a safe pair, as is, of course, Alisson in goal. Whilst this team might lack a natural playmaker in the middle of the park, Ancelotti is very adept at adapting his tactics to the players he has at his disposal.

Ancelotti may be the difference here. He knows how to get the best out of egos and talented players. His cup-competition record, particularly in the Champions League, speaks for itself. If anyone can unlock that sixth star for the Selecao, then why not him?

The Prediction

It genuinely is one of the toughest World Cups to call. No one will believe me when I say I tipped Argentina to win in Qatar in 2022. It might just be a little too much of a stretch for them this time, with an ageing squad.

France, Spain and England, I think, have the best chance here.

Given everything, I’ll go for France. The attacking talent is simply too much, and Deschamps can certainly organise a team to keep clean sheets.

France to win the 2026 World Cup!