The countdown to the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City is nearly over. As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds. We have explored team analysis, stadium guides, and player profiles. Now, our team of writers shares predictions for the exhilarating six-week soccer event. Featuring opinions on key players, unmissable games, surprises, and shocks, these insights cover how the three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—are likely to perform. Here’s an overview of the predictions.

Meet the Panel

An esteemed panel of football writers offers their thoughts:

• Elias Burke: Reports on the Premier League, Champions League, and international football.
• Henry Bushnell: Senior writer covering his third World Cup.
• Carl Anka: Manchester United reporter and international football writer.
• Felipe Cardenas: Senior writer focusing on football across the Americas.
• Jack Lang: UK-based football writer covering his second World Cup.
• Oliver Kay: Football writer for The Athletic, covering his sixth World Cup.
• James Horncastle: International football writer with a focus on Italy.
• Paul Tenorio: Senior writer covering American soccer since 2007.
• Tamerra Griffin: Global women’s soccer writer, covering her second World Cup.
• Joshua Kloke: Canadian soccer reporter covering the sport since 2016.
• Melanie Anzidei: Sports writer covering her second World Cup.

Predicting the Winner

From France’s formidable squad to England’s potential comeback, opinions vary:

• Burke: Favors France’s powerful attack, with an eye on Kylian Mbappe.
• Anka: Originally backed Spain, highlighting Yamal and Rodri.
• Cardenas: Believes in England returning to glory.
• Lang: Praises Spain’s balance and midfield strength.
• Kay: Points to France’s experience, despite past challenges.
• Horncastle: Impressed by Spain’s egoless and skillful play.
• Tenorio: Enthralled by France’s depth and talent.
• Kloke: Views Spain’s path to the quarter-finals as favorable.
• Griffin: Acknowledges France’s robust lineup.
• Anzidei: Recognizes France’s mental resilience.
• Bushnell: Considers Portugal’s strong midfield a key factor.

Unexpected Performers

Spotlighting potential surprise teams:

• Burke: Highlights Ivory Coast’s attacking talent.
• Anka: Notes Senegal’s potential, despite challenges.
• Cardenas: Expects Brazil to regain strength.
• Lang: Points to Ecuador’s defensive prowess.
• Kay & Horncastle: Consider Ecuador and Norway as formidable challengers.
• Tenorio: Foresees Mexico leveraging home advantage.
• Kloke: Sees Switzerland as solid contenders.
• Griffin: Believes Cape Verde could captivate and surprise.
• Anzidei & Bushnell: Voice Argentina’s unpredictable potential.

Teams Often Overlooked

Predictions for teams prone to underperformance:

• Burke & Anka: Question Brazil and Spain’s ability to maintain high levels.
• Cardenas: Concerns over Norway’s first World Cup since 1998.
• Lang & Kay: Doubts surrounding Argentina’s title defense.
• Horncastle & Tenorio: Express skepticism about Argentina’s former excellence.
• Bushnell: Anticipates Belgium’s lackluster showing.

Progress of Host Nations

Assessments of the host teams’ prospects:

• Burke & Anka: Consider the U.S. as having high potential among host countries.
• Cardenas & Lang: Expect Mexico to capitalize on home-field advantage.
• Kay & Horncastle: See Mexico’s group as advantageous.
• Tenorio & Kloke: Envision balanced yet challenging paths for hosts.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Support Mexico’s strong, fan-driven performance.
• Bushnell: Predicts beneficial outcomes for the U.S. in favorable conditions.

Breakthrough Players

Identifying emerging football stars:

• Burke: Nusa shows promise with speed and attacking drive.
• Cardenas & Lang: Praise Mexico’s young talent, particularly Mora.
• Anka: Bosnia’s young wingers could attract major interest.
• Kay: Echoes Mora’s standout potential.
• Horncastle & Tenorio: Look to Turkish emerging stars.
• Kloke: Highlights Canada’s Ismael Kone.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Forecast standout performances for Senegal’s Ndiaye and Argentina’s Paz.
• Bushnell: Spotlights Diomande from Ivory Coast.

Golden Boot Favorites

Speculation on the tournament’s top goalscorer:

• Burke & Anka: Consider Lukaku and Kane as leading contenders.
• Cardenas & Lang: Predict Mbappe’s dominance in goal-scoring.
• Horncastle & Kay: Suggest Ronaldo and the larger stage offer opportunities.
• Tenorio & Kloke: Highlight Haaland and Kane as top goal scorers.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Endorse Haaland’s goal potential.
• Bushnell: Points out Oyarzabal as a strong candidate.

Golden Ball Contenders

Predictions for the tournament’s best player:

• Burke & Anka: Favor France’s Olise and Spain’s Yamal.
• Cardenas & Lang: Predict Kane’s and Pedri’s leadership roles.
• Kay & Tenorio: Hope for MBappe and Olise’s elevation in status.
• Horncastle & Kloke: Enjoy following Yamal’s potential for brilliance.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Support Portugal’s midfield trio and Spain’s young Yamal.

Players to Watch

Acknowledging players with imminent transfer potential:

• Burke & Cardenas: Smith Forest’s Anderson and Bosnia’s Bajraktarevic.
• Anka & Lang: Fans anticipate performances from Japan’s Kubo and Turkey’s Uzun.
• Kay & Horncastle: Mention potential Swiss and Bosnian midfield stars.
• Tenorio & Kloke: See potential in USMNT’s Balogun and Canada’s de Fougerolles.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Recognize Diomande and Bajraktarevic as names to watch.
• Bushnell: Highlights a strong defender from Australia.

Highly Anticipated Games

Key World Cup matches to look forward to:

• Burke & Cardenas: Excited for France vs. Senegal and Colombia vs. Portugal.
• Anka & Lang: Look forward to Ghana vs. England and the opener Mexico vs. South Africa.
• Kay & Horncastle: Anticipate Argentina vs. Algeria and Brazil vs. Scotland.
• Tenorio & Kloke: Opt for Colombia-Portugal and Germany-Ivory Coast in Toronto.
• Griffin & Anzidei: Can’t wait for Brazil vs. Haiti and the final match in East Rutherford.
• Bushnell: Highlights Iran’s presence in Los Angeles games.