With 48 nations chasing football’s ultimate prize, predicting the winner of the 2026 World Cup is no easy task. The expanded tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, promises more contenders, more surprises and more drama than ever before. Our StarSport team are here to pick the champions of 2026.
• RODRIGO Rajes Paul
Argentina are not as dominant as their 2022 title winning side, and although I wish they would go far, I do not see Messi and Co. reaching beyond the quarter-finals.
• Do-RAI-Raj Nadason
I’ve always loved Brazil and Argentina but this time, my money’s on Spain. The Iniesta-led team won the Euros in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010. I expect a repeat. Spain won the 2024 Euros and should win the World Cup this year. However, France, England and Portugal are also in the reckoning. This could be one of the closest World Cups with 32 teams going into the knockout round.
• IVAN Tony
Germany will be back with a vengeance after enduring two straight group stage exits in 2018 and 2022. In this expanded World Cup with an extra knockout round, it will be the most resilient team who will win it. And history has shown that the Germans can outlast any opponent in long and extended battles.
• G-AVI
This will be Brazil’s World Cup and it will also mark the crowning achievement of Carlo Ancelotti, one of football’s greatest coaches.
While many Brazil fans still long for Neymar to rule the biggest stage, the Selecao have a team that can still succeed through their collective quality with emerging talents like Luiz Henrique and Danilo Santos capable of making a difference.
• AzmaHAKIMI
As usual, Portugal will be led by Cristiano Ronaldo, but this time Roberto Martinez’s side boast a strong midfield capable of mounting a serious challenge at the World Cup. Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto are among the key players expected to drive Portugal’s bid to end their long wait for a first World Cup title.
• Joel MATIP
SPAIN look ready to lift their second World Cup, driven by flawless teamwork, a genius midfield, and the electric energy of Lamine Yamal. Their recent championship momentum makes them truly unstoppable.
• N’GOLO KANTE Chia Yin
PORTUGAL have a strong squad from top to bottom, with a great mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. While teams like France and Spain are getting most of the attention, Portugal have the quality and depth to surprise people and lift the trophy.
• Devi BECKHAM
With inclusion of players like Pedri and Lamine Yamal, I believe Spain are a strong contender to win the World Cup.
• DIEGO Mara-Thana
There are, as usual, six favourites – Spain, Argentina, France, Brazil, Germany and Portugal. But Spain, the 2010 champions, have something extra in them to beat the other frontrunners to the trophy. The 20-year-old Lamine Yamal is in top form with Barcelona, and will definitely shine.
• LIM-INE Yamal
I’ll put my money on Spain. Including games at Euro 2024, Spain are now unbeaten in their last 31 competitive games, beating the famous 30-match run they enjoyed under Vicente del Bosque between 2010 and 2013 – a streak that saw them win both the World Cup and the Euros.
• Tyler Adam
France look well placed to lift a third World Cup title, with Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus boasting a squad packed with world-class talent. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who inspired Paris St Germain to the Champions League title a few weeks ago, will spearhead the attack alongside Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, giving France one of the most formidable forward lines in the tournament.
• Alexander ISAK-tesh
This World Cup will finally see a fairy-tale ending for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal where he will match Lionel Messi’s feat with Argentina in 2022. The Portuguese squad are good enough to go all the way with their good blend of experience and youth.
• Efny Johan CRUYFF
Spain proved me right at Euro 2024. Stable squad, Yamal available for the 2nd Round — La Roja will win it all.
• Eric CANTONA Samuel
I AM rooting for Portugal, led by their legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo, to lift the World Cup for the first time.
This is not only Ronaldo’s last dance, but also his best chance to lead Portugal’s world-class talent to the podium.
• Hariati KANE
Viva Espana! With an aggressively diverse attacking arsenal, the current Spain team are more than tiki taka. They will be difficult to stop.
• RIZALDO Hashim
Brazil blend elite world-class talent like Vinícius Junior with defensive solidity and a potential breakout star in Endrick. In their quest for the hexa, the Selecao possess a balanced squad with enough tactical depth under a great man-manager, Carlo Ancelotti. • DECLAN RICE Daryl Goh Brazil – I’m fading the Opta supercomputer and picking Brazil. King Carlo and the samba boys – Premier League and elsewhere – to make a deep run, 2002-style.
