Who will win the World Cup? Famous footballing names give their predictions

Winning the World Cup is the ultimate prize in football and a lifelong dream for any player.

This month, 48 teams will enter the tournament with that same dream, but only one will etch their name into World Cup folklore.

Only eight different nations have won the World Cup since 1930, so whose turn will it be in 2026? 

DAZN News has asked a plethora of famous footballing names the big question, and each has given their opinion on who they think will triumph in North America.

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - Dutch striker who played at France '98 

"You know what? I've always said France, but I've got a feeling... I'm getting a sneaky feeling. I've also got an eye on Ecuador and Japan, but I've just got this sneaky feeling—I don't know why—that Portugal is going to do well. They are going to do really, really well. 

"It's because four years ago, Messi won it. It sounds really stupid, and there is no evidence whatsoever, but they've got a hell of a squad. Really good players, so they should go far.

"Yeah, I've just got a feeling that Portugal is going to win it. It could be Ronaldo’s last dance and what a way to go out." 
 

Ray Parlour - Former England midfielder 

"It's all about can you handle the atmosphere and all that sort of stuff. Can you handle the heat? Certain teams will be playing in a lot hotter places and sometimes it's a little bit more difficult. 

"Can the Europeans handle that? France are going to be strong. Spain. Argentina. You look at those—the South Americans—Brazil's always going to be there or thereabouts.

"But I’m really optimistic for England. I don't take a lot out of the friendlies because you can't really judge Tuchel yet. You judge him on competitions.

"If everybody's fit going into it—I know it's a long old season in the Premier League, and a lot of the boys are playing in the Premier League—but if they can get the right formation, tactics, the balance of the team right, then I think England have got a good chance if everybody's firing on all cylinders.

"And I think most European nations will be looking at England saying they have got an unbelievable squad. As I said before, just keep Harry Kane fit and then we've got a chance."

Paul Parker - England Italia '90 defender 

"I’m not sure this England squad has all the tools to win a World Cup. The main contenders for me are France, Spain and Argentina. You have to look at Portugal as well.

"They have a lot of good players in some of the best teams in Europe – especially Joao Neves, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes at Paris Saint-Germain.

"They’ve got a load of great players in the Premier League as well; the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias. I think Portugal look better than England. 

"England have to aim for the quarter-finals and then hope the draw helps them from that point onwards. Individually, we haven’t got that many top players in good form.

As it stands, you really have to question whether they’re good enough to make it to the latter stages." 

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Gareth Barry - England World Cup 2010 midfielder 

"The two big South American teams (Brazil and Argentina). The conditions are going to play a massive part and they are used to those hot conditions and that style of slowing the games down.

"Argentina are masters of slowing the game down, fouls, still got the players to make the big moments, sit deep and counter-attack quickly.

"If you get the right team around these individuals, the likes of Messi are still at a level capable of big moments and producing.

"In the last World Cup when Argentina won, the players were playing so much for Messi and doing a lot of his running. Alvarez was unbelievable for him.

"If you have got players of that ability and the rest of the team are working for them, I still think both can do something at this World Cup.

Dominic Matteo - Ex-Scotland defender 

"I always seem to go with France.

"I always seem to think of France, but I don't know if the weather will have much impact. Obviously, a South American team could have a shout.

"Morocco has been good again, and they've got some good quality players in their depth. But if you ask me for one team, I'd definitely go for France." 

Stan Collymore - 90s England forward 

"I don’t think you can look past Brazil or Argentina, mostly because it’s going to be ridiculously hot during the fixtures over in America. Even the North East cities like Boston and New York will be really warm, so the game will be played at a slower tempo. 

"Most South American players grew up playing at a slower pace, with short bursts of tempo, in a way that European players didn’t. Brazil and Argentina will therefore definitely be up there and will be difficult to beat." 

Teddy Sheringham - Played for England at France '98 

"Probably a South American team because of the heat and the way they play football. The best option from Europe would be France, but I’d have to go for Argentina or Brazil. Brazil with Ancelotti in charge is a great option."

Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Bryan Robson - Legendary England captain who played in three World Cups 

"I think Spain are a really good team at this moment in time.

"Then you never know from South America. Countries like Argentina and Brazil, they've always got really good teams who compete at the highest level. So, it wouldn't surprise me, like I say, Spain, England, Brazil, Argentina, I would think would be probably the top four favourites." 

Kevin Doyle - former Republic of Ireland striker 

“I don't think Argentina is going to retain it.

“Kylian Mbappe might not be fully fit, but there is something about the French. I'll go with France then, because Mbappe just seems to come alive on the big stage.

“I think Lionel Messi and Argentina will be edged out, I'll go for France.”

Wayne Bridge - Played for England at 2002 finals 

"I’ll say England, won’t I? But you’ve got to be realistic — the South American teams, Argentina and Brazil, with the climate and everything.

"But with England they’ve always got a chance with the squad they’ve got. A lot of it will come down to the mentality in the squad, blocking out all the outside noise and just concentrating on themselves — not listening to all the other stuff that goes on back home." 

Emile Heskey - Former England striker who scored for England at 2002 World Cup

"You’ve got to look at France. You’ve got to look at France. Some of their best attackers don’t even get in the French team, and they would walk into other teams.

"They’ve got an abundance of talent and you’ve got to take your hat off to them because the reality is, I think from a very young age — 17, 18, 19 — they play them in first-team football, so they get used to that phase." 
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Marcel Desailly - World Cup winner with France 

"The answer is that when you look at the squad individually—the names we have—we are the best. There is no doubt. There is no other team up to the level of France on pure quality.

"When you look at it, I think he took eight strikers, and the midfielders are just amazing. Spain might be better on the field collectively—they beat us in the semi-final of the Euros quite easily—they might still be better in that sense.

"But collectively, if Didier Deschamps manages to set up a real tactical understanding for this team the same way he did in 2018 when they won it... nobody expected it then, but he was smart.

"He put N'Golo Kanté with Paul Pogba as two defensive midfielders, and he put Blaise Matuidi on the left. Bingo. The team had the spirit and something clicked.

"It is the same for this current team. The way he sets his team up with the kind of talent he has will likely take them to the final rounds." 
 

John Barnes - England legend who played at two World Cups 

“Argentina can win the World Cup again – absolutely – but I make France the favourites. They are powerful and physical and have the right balance of players who are also technical and very quick. They look really strong throughout their team.

“I don’t expect you will see much from Cristiano Ronaldo at this tournament. He may score a few goals for Portugal, but he won’t be as involved as he has been at previous World Cup tournaments.

“On the other hand, Lionel Messi will still be central to Argentina’s chances because he’s such a fantastic player. For France, you’d be looking at Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele as the two to make the difference. And for Spain, I’m looking forward to seeing Lamine Yamal.

“But as Paris Saint-Germain have shown in the last two Champions League seasons, having let Messi, Mbappe and Neymar go, modern football is not about having the best individuals, it’s about having the best team. And the top managers recognise that.

“Argentina, France, England, Spain and Germany are my leading contenders. Those are the usual suspects, but I can’t see things necessarily changing too much this time around.”

Freddy Adu - American cult hero 

"I think it will be between France and Spain.

"I think Argentina will make some noise, but I don't think they have the squad this time around to win it all, just because it's an older Messi and they don't have Di Maria. 

"Di Maria was always the big-game player. He was always the one who scored in every final, every important moment, every semi-final. I mean, he was just that type of player. And I don't think Argentina just has anyone to replace that kind of big-game impact for this cycle.

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Michael Owen - England legend who made his breakthrough at France '98 

"I think France, personally, are the best team.

"I picked France during the last World Cup as well, and even though Argentina beat them, I wasn't disappointed with my pick. I still think they were the best team in that tournament, despite them not winning it.
I still think they're the best team.

"I think some of the South American teams, obviously, with the weather, the location of the World Cup, I think some of the Brazilians and the Argentinians are probably going to hold a strong hand. But if I had to pick someone now, I would pick France.

Chris Waddle - England Italia '90 winger 

"Spain will be favourites, I would believe. And I agree with that. I think Spain have got players who are technically good. They don't mind the conditions. They love the conditions. In fact, it's all geared for Spain.

"As for the South Americans, Argentina, I don't know if they've got enough in their squad to win a tournament again and Brazil, for me, I don't feel they're going to have an impact in the tournament.

"Then you're going into Europe, Spain, France for me. Portugal, maybe it's a little bit getting on in the edge of the squad. Maybe a tournament too many for a lot of them." 

Frank Lebouef - World Cup winner with France in 1998 

"France. Yes, but I will have to share the first spot with Spain.  I think it's only fair, according to what they've done before. Only in the history of the World Cup, France the favourite.

"I'm going to cheer for France. And hopefully, France will do the job. Obviously, France has all the focus on their attack and on the amazing options that they have in attack." 

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