Who Will Win the 2026 World cup? ESPN FC’s Predictions
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It’s mid-November, and qualification for the 2026 World Cup — to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer — is in its final dramatic stages, with many automatic spots to be filled over the next week and several other nations vying for a spot in March’s intercontinental playoffs.
Before we get there, though — and before we get to the World Cup draw, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5 — let’s ask ourselves a simple question: If the World Cup started today, who would win it?
ESPN FC’s writers and analysts were asked exactly that, so here’s how they feel about the state of the tournament right now and which teams look ready to walk away with the trophy.
Last World Cup win: 2010
FIFA rank: 1
Mark Ogden: The 2026 World Cup is going to be won by the team that can best deal with the conditions of a stifling-hot summer in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Spain tick more boxes than any other contender. They are the reigning European champions — their pedigree is unquestioned — but Luis de la Fuente’s side will win the World Cup because they can dominate possession and wear down their opponents.
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Alex Kirkland: Am I biased,## Spain and England Lead the Pack as World Cup Favorites
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming World Cup, ESPN’s panel of experts has weighed in on which nations stand the best chance of lifting the trophy. Here’s a breakdown of the top contenders:
SPAIN (5 votes)
Last World Cup win: 2010
FIFA rank: 8
James Olley: Spain! They lifted the Euro 2024 trophy by becoming the first team to win all seven matches without requiring penalties.And the caliber of the teams they beat — Italy, Germany, France and England among them — suggested it was no fluke.
Williams and Yamal are two years older with more experience; Rodri should be relatively fresh assuming he recovers from his persistent injury problems, but if not, Zubimendi — who deputized for Rodri in the Euros final against England — has arguably taken his game to another level at Arsenal this season. Spain do need other players to kick on — Dean Huijsen switching his allegiance from Netherlands last year could be a major boost if he thrives at Real Madrid — but they still look the team to beat.
ENGLAND (3 votes)
Last World Cup win: 1966
FIFA rank: 4
julien Laurens: The biggest factor here besides England’s talent is that they finally have a manager who is not afraid of making big calls and being honest about it. Thomas Tuchel can deal with big egos better than anyone else, having worked for high-profile teams from Chelsea to Paris saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.He has extensive experience managing unhappy players and leaving behind anyone who isn’t on board with his ideology and team spirit. One of the best tacticians in world football, Tuchel is the right guy to finally lead EngCole Palmer will come back from injury fresh and rested, ready to have a big impact whether as a starter or as a sub. And leaders like Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice or marc Guéhi will shine.Tuchel also explained the obvious this week: Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden can’t start together. It didn’t work in the past, and it won’t work at the World Cup this summer. The team would not be balanced enough, and in this structure, it is not possible to have them three together from the start. This England team will be built differently, on and off the pitch and that will be the reason for their success.
Bill Connelly: They currently have the best combination of talent, depth, coaching, center forward play and good health. (Spain would be my answer, if not for those last two parts.) Tuchel’s combination of caution and individualized tactics should work and also anything in a long combination with so many knockout rounds, and while he probably doesn’t have the fullback situation figured out as well as he would prefer, no one does.
This is a battle-tested squad with a bench loaded with players would start for all but the most elite countries in the world. They’re in great shape, and if the overall health of the squad hasn’t fallen apart seven months from now, they’ll have everything they need.
Gab Marcotti: I’m applying the process of elimination here.Right now,Yamal and Pedri are injured (sorry,Spain); Brazil have a lot to prove under Carlo Ancelotti; Arg
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Ryan O’Hanlon: They’ve made the past two World Cup finals, and the last time they lost a knockout game at a World Cup, Barack Obama was the U.S. president and England was still part of the European Union. Their potential front three of Mbappé, Dembele, and Michael Olise is better than anything any club team can offer. Their starting center backs are currently starting for club teams that have allowed 11 combined goals through their first 21 matches of domestic play.
This will be the most talented team at the tournament next summer — and it won’t be close.
ARGENTINA (1 vote)
Last World Cup win: 2022
Argentina Aim to Build on World Cup Glory at 2026 Tournament
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, are poised to be strong contenders at the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson,managing the climate and conditions across North America will be a key factor for success,potentially posing a challenge for European nations.
Dawson highlights the strength of Argentina’s core squad, which remains largely intact from their victorious 2022 campaign in Qatar. While acknowledging that /id/158626/emiliano-martinez”>Emiliano Martínez, defenders /id/249299/alexis-mac-allister”>alexis Mac Allister and /id/277206/julian-alvarez”>Julian Alvarez.
Dawson believes Argentina’s invaluable experience from their accomplished 2022 run will be crucial, noting that World Cups are often won by teams that improve throughout the tournament. He identifies Argentina as “the ones to beat” in 2026.
Recently, hundreds of fans gathered in Spain to watch Argentina train ahead of a friendly match against Angola, demonstrating the continued support for the national team. (ESPN)