32 Teams, One Trophy: My 2026 World Cup Predictions

The World Cup is finally here. 48 teams, 16 cities, and one trophy. Here's who I think takes it home.

Dark Horse: Japan

Japan is a team that is more on the radar after their last few World Cup trips. At the last tournament they beat both Spain and Germany and were unlucky to be knocked out in the round of 16 on penalties against Croatia. They have already beaten Brazil and England in friendlies since qualifying, which they rolled through losing just once in 16 matches. They are a very organized, technical team that will give most sides they face trouble.

The difference this time is this squad has been here before. They don't fear the big occasion. While Mitoma being out is a blow, I think they have enough cover to make a run.

Winners: France

Not a surprising pick here. But the number 1 ranked team in the world has so much talent that I think they will be back on top of the mountain. Dembélé just came off winning the Ballon d'Or and backed it up by winning the Champions League again this season. Mbappé meanwhile is well within reach of matching Klose's all-time record of 16 World Cup goals — he arrives at this tournament on 12.

They have a very manageable group and once we get to the knockout rounds France will be a hard team to beat.

Disappointment: Netherlands

With 48 teams in this tournament, most sides will make the knockouts. So by disappointment I mean a team that fails to live up to their potential in the later rounds. Though I think think the Dutch get out of the group stages, I struggle to see Holland going deep. As usual their roster is filled with European talent but I think they lack in the attacking areas.

Xavi Simons being ruled out through injury will be a huge miss. Add Timber and De Ligt to that injury list and I think this team will struggle to go the distance.

Player to Watch: Haaland

Not going out on a limb here either. Haaland has been widely accepted as the best striker in the world for the past few years and now he finally has his chance to prove it on the international stage. This is Norway's first appearance at a World Cup since 1998 — and Haaland wasn't even born the last time they qualified. In qualifying he scored 16 goals in 8 matches, a European record, and he arrives on 55 international goals in just 49 caps.

Norway has a difficult group which should be very entertaining to watch. If they want to make a deep run Haaland will need to be the main man.