Louis Smith – South American Football Writer – Spain

The European champions, they have played some exciting football. But not only that, they win football matches. I was torn between them and Nations League winners Portugal, but I think Spain, having shown in the Euros that they have a knack for getting the job done when it matters most.

They are hard to beat. They play exciting, fluid football and score plenty of goals. Think back to the 6-0 win over Turkey in September last year. They pretty much cruised through qualification and look like one of the most complete sides in the tournament.

Not only are they effective, but they are also very talented. If Lamine Yamal stays fit, there is a match-winner in there who can produce something out of nothing. But it is not just about him. They have the likes of Nico Williams, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who always seem to make an impact whether he starts or comes off the bench.

The only thing Spain really lacks is an out-and-out number nine. They do not have that traditional goalscoring striker leading the line, but they always seem to find a way to make up for it.

It is also hard to ignore the strength of their midfield. Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, and Pedri are as good a trio as you will find in international football. They control games, dictate the tempo, and have the quality to unlock defences.

Defensively, they are fairly solid too, with Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí leading things at centre-back. In goal, they have a bit of a selection headache between David Raya and Unai Simón. Luis de la Fuente has said Simón remains his number one, but surely he watched that Champions League final. Raya was outstanding, making several key saves and showing real bravery in one-on-one situations.

For me, Spain are the most complete side heading into the tournament, and that is why they are my favourites to lift the trophy.

France: Didier Deschamps has arguably the strongest and most balanced squad in international football, with elite quality in every area of the pitch.

From the attacking threat of Kylian Mbappé to the creativity of Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, France have match-winners all over the field. Further back, N’Golo Kanté, William Saliba and Mike Maignan provide the control and security needed to dominate games.

Add in Deschamps’ World Cup-winning pedigree as both a player and manager, and France look best placed to lift the trophy and bring it back to La République this summer.

Ben McFadyean – Bundesliga Expert – England

The Three Lions under Bavarian coach Thomas Tuchel waltzed through qualification without conceding a single goal, and have the in-form Harry Kane spearheading their charge. The side have edged closer to tournament success with back-to-back European Championship final defeats, but still have so much to prove. Now is the time for the former BVB coach to deliver for the nation.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Current Squad

To assess whether England can win the World Cup, a detailed analysis of the current squad, playing style, and competitiveness is needed:

The team possesses several strengths, making it a serious title contender. However, there are also certain structural and tactical weaknesses that cannot be ignored.

Young and Versatile Talent: England boasts a new generation of highly talented footballers, including Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Kobbie Mainoo. These players not only excel at their clubs in the top divisions but have also gained international experience despite their young age.

Valuable Experience: Players like Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, and Declan Rice bring leadership qualities and experience in major tournaments. This blend of youth and experience fosters internal balance within the team.

Squad depth: Competition for positions is fierce, allowing Tuchel tactical rotation and enabling him to maintain optimal fitness levels throughout the tournament. England boasts numerous high-quality options in midfield and attack in particular.

Tactical organization: Under the German coach, England has demonstrated tactical discipline and defensive stability. His preferred lineup in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that shifts into a high-intensity, possession-based 2-3-5 when attacking allows him to effectively switch between deep pressing and medium pressure.

Creative Problems: Although England possesses attacking talent, the team has occasionally lacked ideas in building attacks against tightly packed defenses. This has led to the side under-performing when confronted with deep-lying teams that prioritize defense.

Conservative Decisions: In spite of not conceding a goal in qualifying, Tuchel’s tendency to opt for defensive tactics in crucial matches has been criticized. Excessive caution can stifle the team’s creative potential.

Emotional Management: The media pressure and emotional strain of representing England are difficult to manage. In previous tournaments, this has led to mental breakdowns or missed penalties.

Vulnerability Against the Elite: Although England has beaten top teams, they have yet to face leading rivals such as France, Brazil, or Argentina in decisive matches. In particular, in the loss to African Champions Senegal, they showed their frailty. These encounters are often the true test of their competitiveness, and they will need to face them if they are to win.

The Impact of Injuries: This should also be highlighted as the team relies heavily on certain key players; any physical setback before or during the World Cup could drastically alter England’s prospects.

The heavy workload of the Premier League: With its demanding schedule, the English top tier can lead to exhaustion or physical overload, which has proven to be a handicap in past tournaments.

Overall, the current squad’s strengths are undeniable and well-suited to the demands of a World Cup. However, there have been some questions about the selection, particularly leaving out Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire, and the weaknesses outlined make England an outside favourite. Their success will depend on finding the perfect balance between unbridled talent and disciplined structure, without succumbing to the pressure.

Whilst at 15-2 England are only the bookmakers’ third favourites, if Tuchel has found the right squad balance for what will be a tournament under very demanding weather conditions, and they manage to overcome the key challenges in creativity, tactical planning, and emotional resilience, England could have one of their best chances of becoming world champions since Wembley 1966.

Can an African team finally win a World Cup? More knockout rounds could lead to more unpredictability, but even then, Morocco, not Senegal, might be the most fancied of the African teams.

But the Lions of Teranga bring plenty of motivation following the 2025 AFCON final debacle, as well as a range of promise and experience that saw them do so well at that most recent CAF showcase.

Despite playing his football away from the spotlight in Saudi Arabia, Sadio Mané remains a talismanic figure, as he showed during that AFCON final incident. Idrissa Gana Gueye can still get around midfield more than his 36 years might suggest, and he’s joined by some highly rated younger players, Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diarra, and 18-year-old Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, who spent last season at Bayern. Iliman Ndiaye can light up any game and will bring plenty of flair to the occasion.

Though many of their top players play for big teams in Europe, some, such as striker Nicolas Jackson, have not seen a huge amount of playing time in 2025/26, which may work in their favour in what is likely to be a gruelling World Cup in the North American heat.

Pape Thiaw stated in his interview with World Soccer Magazine that he wouldn’t be the manager if he didn’t believe they could win the World Cup.

Callum McFadden – Senior Writer – France

James Nalton – Senegal