The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today, June 11th, and with the tremendous amounts of hype and proximity, I have decided to cover the event from Sentry Media’s home base of Pittsburgh. Through these weekly updates, I’ll give my thoughts and predictions for the biggest sporting event in the world, with some contributions from my colleagues over the course of the 104-game tournament.
For this first edition, I’ll hit on all the big points outlets across the world have been hitting on in the lead-up to tomorrow’s kick-off: the favorites and dark horses.
Potential Winners
Spain
La Roja’s next golden generation has already cemented itself in history with their Euro 2024 success, defeating giants like Germany, France, and England in the process, but are now seeking eternal glory with the World Cup, a prize they last won in 2010.
That squad that defeated the Netherlands over 15 years ago was packed to the brim with players who were the best in their positions, and the squad that enters the USA is similar in that sense. Barcelona’s Pedri and Lamine Yamal are two of the biggest and most talented names in the sport, with the latter a favorite for the Ballon D’or last year and this year. Their defense is also no slouch, and will have support from former Ballon D’or winner Rodri and newly crowned Premier League champion Marin Zubemendi.
Yamal is dealing with a hamstring injury that could see him miss between none or all of the group stage matches, but Euro 24 breakout Nico Williams should be good to go alongside Ferran Toress, meaning the attack should be able to hold without the young superstar.
France
The last two World Cups have seen France go all the way to the final, winning in 2018 and succumbing to Argentina in penalties in 2022. Les Bleus, like teams prior, have so many threats all over the field. The team they’re bringing this year is slightly younger and more inexperienced, but the sheer skill they have up top is sure to get many excited.
Last year’s Ballon D’or and now back to back champions league winner Ousmane Dembele and his PSG teammate, Desire Doue, are must-see TV. Look no further than their performance against fellow French attacker Michael Olise in the UCL semi-final this year. Olise, himself, has been one of the best players in the world this season, and has been scoring for fun in the exhibition games leading up to the tournament.
Ryan Cherki was Manchester City’s talisman this year, and of course, rounding out the team, you have Kylian Mbappé, whose last World Cup appearance was maybe one of the best individual displays in tournament history. France might not be in their best form, but their unique attack and reliable backline should see another extensive run in the tournament.
Portugal
Rounding out my favorites list is Portugal. Many might be surprised Argentina isn’t here, but I think this edition of Portugal is very similar to what Argentina was in 2022. No, not because it’s a good team surrounding one of the best players of all time, but because of the setup of said team.
Argentina, prior to 2022, was consistently a team with talent and competitiveness, but could never put it all together at the right time. There were constant variations of good squads, but never the right one. Finally, Argentina was able to put it together with one of their most talented squads ever, who had all individually displayed their own winning ability before coming together.
Now Portugal finds themself in the same spot. Desperate to bring home the long-sought World Cup for not only their hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, but for themselves, too. The midfield is the biggest upgrade from years past. Back-to-back Champions League winners with PSG, Joao Neves and Vitinha, have been the best midfield duo in the last two years, and pairing them with Bruno Fernandes, whose lights-out performances saw him break the Premier League assist record this year, is a cheat code.
Manchester City’s Ruben Dias anchors an exciting young supporting cast in defense, like PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Sporting’s Gonçalo Inácio. Gonçalo Guedes, Raphael Leao, Joao Felix, and Bernardo Silva also provide attacking support that Ronaldo has not always had in the past.
If there was a year to win, this is it for Portugal. I personally think they will do it, not simply because of the “last dance” nature of the team, but because of the proven winners the squad hasn’t had before.
Dark Horses
Norway
Norway is one of the most said responses to the question of who could be a surprise winner in this year’s tournament. Personally, I don’t think this squad is what others make it out to be, but I’ll try my best to build a case for the Røde, Hvite, and Blå.
Erling Haaland. That’s it. That’s the case. If Norway wants any shot of winning, they need Erling Haaland to capitalize on every opportunity he gets. Not only is Norway in one of the most difficult groups in the tournament, but they will also likely face a juggernaut in the first round of the knockout stage.
Haaland has decent support from Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb. Fellow potential stars Antonio Nusa, who plays for RB Leipzig, and Andreas Schjelderup, who plays for SL Benfica, also will support the attack. But an aged, inexperienced backline and inconsistent midfield caps Norway at a low, first-round exit, in my eyes.
Morocco
Another one of the huge favorites, likely because of their performances during the last World Cup and since, is Morocco. Filled with talent across the pitch, Morocco made it all the way to the semis in 2022. Now, off the back of a controversial African Cup win, the team looks poised to make a run even better than 4 years prior.
Key names to watch for are midfielders Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss of Real Madrid and Stuttgart, respectively. Forward Chemsidine Talbi of Sunderland, and utility defender and attacker Achraf Hakimi of PSG.
They have the experience and confidence as one of the big teams, and drew fellow dark horse Norway a couple of days ago. The hype around most teams should be the same around Morocco come their World Cup opener on Saturday.
Netherlands
Maybe this is cheating, putting a top 10 FIFA-ranked team as a dark horse, but realistically, to win the World Cup, you have to be a top team, with talented starters and a deep bench, and a player with generational ability. I think the Netherlands checks all of those boxes, yet no one seems to be considering them for the top prize come July.
The Dutch have been close on many occasions, notably losing in the final of 2010, semis in 2014, and to eventual winners Argentina in 2022. The team failed to qualify in 2018 and has not fared as well in the Euros, though. Yet the light does shine favorably for the Oranje. A relatively safe group and route to the quarter finals does mean the Netherlands can find themselves within arm’s reach of the long-coveted championship.
The defense that’s headlined by Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and midfield of Ryan Gravenberch and Frankie De Jong consistently does their job, but the Dutch do need a boost in the attack. Van Dijk’s Liverpool teammate Cody Gakpo is clinical, but a lack of threat in the final third displays why the team isn’t consistently regarded as a real threat in the tournament. Yet if things fall the right way, maybe it could finally be the year the Netherlands proves the critics wrong.
Be sure to stay tuned weekly for predictions and recaps covering the world’s biggest sporting event. And be sure to check out Sentry Media on Instagram for stories and other fun content.
