World Cup 2026 Predictions

So here we are. It’s world cup time again and I need to come up with some predictions. Well, I don’t need to come up with predictions, but you know how it works; people expect a forecast of some description. Football knowledge is one of the easiest ways to blend into the early 21^st century society that we’re a part of. Well, that some of us are a part of. Not including the USA, of course, where on this occasion the tournament just happens to be taking place. Alongside Canada and Mexico.

Anyway, enough fluff, you’ve come for the predictions. So who are the contenders? Let’s say the likely semi-finalists?

So, first of all, it has to be Brazil. When it comes to international football tournaments, having and experienced and able manager is one of the most important ingredients for success. And when we say manager here, then it’s probably correct to identify man-management skills rather than tactical acumen as the most relevant factor. In this sense, Ancelotti is clearly the ideal man for this Brazil squad, which has more than enough talent to win any tournament. Vini jnr and 10 others would be enough to pose a threat most teams and the “others” here are pretty good by most nations’ standards.

The next favourite is probably the French. Deschamps is also a good experienced manager and they have some talent too; Olise, Mbappe, Doue, Dembele.

I think the problem is clear here; they have too much talent. I’m sorry but I don’t care how good Deschamps is at motivating these millionaires, there comes a point when all that brilliance is impossible to harness. I don’t think they will make the semis on this occasion.

What about the weather? Should we take the baking hot temperatures into account? I think we should. I think the football instincts developed in hotter climates cannot be learned in a few weeks. Or put another way, the instincts learned in colder climates can’t be unlearned so quickly. England especially, whose manager has decided to bring runners rather than ball players to the tournament, could be in for a nasty surprise when they realise chasing the ball for 90 minutes in 35 degree heat is not conducive to winning football. So forget the English.

Another question that needs to be asked at this time is the following; who wants to win the world cup?

Let’s be honest, not every nation is built equally. It is a tournament of nations, but what is a nation? Will players sacrifice every last drop of sweat for the national cause, or simply show their skills in the first few matches and then down tools when their agent gets a call from the Wrexham. Some teams drop off rather quickly when the rubber meets the road and it’s not just talent that escapes them. It’s a willingness to pretend that their flag is more important than their livelihood. I’m sorry. I know it’s cynical but patriotism is not divided equally between nations. Having said that, with 48 teams in the tournament, I can’t pretend to guess whose team spirit will carry them furthest. I really don’t know how patriotic the Curacaons are? Or the uzbeks? But yes, I’m sceptical about the Dutch and suspect that the Japanese players will be keen to secure national hero status in their homeland.

Now that I’m being cynical, I should perhaps move on to the elephant in the room; the host nations. And it is an elephant, because we all know that the treatment of the home nation is often rather favourable when it comes to major football tournaments. What chance USA, Canada and Mexico all making the semi-finals? Stranger things have happened, but no I wouldn’t go that far. With the highly respected Pochettino in charge of the USA I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that one of the host nations goes quite far in 2026.

Shop Now!

What about a story? A drama? A fairytale? I can certainly see a scenario where Portugal manage to provide the tournament with some interesting narratives. Cristiano Ronaldo has one last chance to win the world cup; Diogo Jota missed out on his chance after dying last year in a tragic car accident. It won’t be a surprise if Portugal go deep in the draw; they have the pedigree and ball skills to flourish in the punishing conditions of North America. In fact, wasn’t it a Portuguese man who discovered USA in the first place?

And what about the dark horses? As a Scot, I’m hopeful of something special from our squad of talented superstars; McTominay, McGinn, Robertson…….Well these three can reasonably be described in such lofty terms. But I’ve seen Scotland in world cups before, and I can’t help but feel our chance of losing to Haiti are greater than our chances of Surprising Brazil in the group stages.

Norway have Haaland  and most probably a great team spirit. In knockout football, they could cause a couple of surprises. Although really Haaland scoring a bunch of goals is never a surprise.

When it comes to the African nations, I’d say Senegal is the most likely to go deep. They’ll enjoy the conditions and Sadio Mane is a character we can all happily support. Morrocco and Ghana will be worth watching too.

And what about Messi and Argentina? They have some players, no doubt. And they showed 4 years ago what they are capable of. I’m hesitating, but I’m not sure why……I suppose I just think they are not such a great team to win on consecutive occasions. They could, I guess, but really I feel it’s unlikely.

So yes who does that leave us with? My semi-final predictions are ; Brazil, Portugal, USA and Senegal. Senegal snuck in at the last minute there ahead of Japan.

And the winners will be Portugal. It’s written in the stars. Well, it’s written in this blog now.