From a Thomas Tuchel-led England and the dominance of France, to a fairytale Cristiano Ronaldo send-off with Portugal, our panel of sports editors and football writers drop their definitive 2026 FIFA World Cup predictions. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The stage is set for the most expansive tournament in football history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, welcoming an expanded field of 48 nations across three host countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada. Over 39 days of intense competition, a record 104 matches will be contested before the champions lift the iconic trophy.
Here, Independent Media's sports department choose their favourites to win the championship on July 19.
The Fifa World Cup 2026 contenders.
Image: GraphicNews
Who will win the World Cup: Spain
La Roja arrive at the World Cup carrying more than just expectation. They arrive as European champions, owners of a record four Euro titles, and perhaps the most complete squad in international football.
If there is one team built to lift the trophy in North America this summer, it might just be them. Luis de la Fuente has moulded a squad that combines technical brilliance with the kind of mentality required to survive football's biggest pressure cooker. At the heart of the team is midfield general Rodri, whose ability to dictate matches has made him one of the most influential players in world football.
Around him are the creative talents of Pedri and Fabián Ruiz, while the electric wing partnership of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal gives Spain a directness to threaten the best defence.
Their odds: 9/2
And what about Bafana: Hebrews Chapter 6 Verse 19 reads, "We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure". That is all I have to say about Bafana in the World Cup.
My left-field prediction: ICE will try to deport a foreign fan from a stadium while a game is on.
Who will win the World Cup: England
In Thomas Tuchel, England have a cold-blooded manager who has shown he isn’t afraid to go with his gut and make the big decisions. The German tactician knows exactly how to navigate high-stakes knockout football, giving this golden generation of Three Lions players the mental and tactical tools they need to finally bring it home.
The 1966 winners arrived in North America having gone deep in the last few World Cup and Euro tournaments but were unable to get over the line. They have enough talent to do the business, boasting the world’s best No 9 in Harry Kane.
Now, it’s just about believing that “It’s Coming Home …”
Their odds: 7/1
And what about Bafana: My heart says a surprise run to the last 16, but my mind says they are coming home after the group stage…
My left-field prediction: Gianni Infantino will quit as president of FIFA after the worst FIFA World Cup of all time.
Fifa World Cup previosu winners.
Image: GraphicNews
Who will win the World Cup: Portugal
It will be the final World Cup for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (41), and with a strong spine of experienced players like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and defender Rúben Dias, they can potentially send off their legend with a rousing victory. It is the one major trophy still eluding him, and it will be the perfect way to end a glittering career.
Grouped with Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan, they should cruise through the group stages and start firing in the knockouts. Ronaldo, Fernandes and Dias are the key players, and head coach Roberto Martínez will hope his key experienced players step up.
Their odds: 11/1
And what about Bafana: They will qualify for the Round of 32, but that is where the dream will end.
Left-field prediction: Defending champions Argentina falling out in the Round of 32.
Who will win the World Cup: France
Blessed with immense talent and depth, Les Bleus are strong favourites for the title. Their competitive edge comes from winning the 2018 World Cup and being runners-up in 2022.
Tactical genius Didier Deschamps leads a squad featuring superstars who are soaring at club level. Recent Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé arrives in excellent form. Captain Kylian Mbappé, the team's best player in the last two World Cups, seeks to silence recent criticism from his Real Madrid supporters.
This tournament is his perfect chance to make his critics eat humble pie.
Their odds: 5/1
And what about Bafana: I expect them to reach the next round, but they have the potential to advance as far as the quarter-finals.
My left-field prediction: FIFA President Gianni Infantino celebrating as if this was his best global showpiece, though it could very well be the worst of his tenure.
Fifa World Cup 2026 team camps.
Image: GraphicNews
Who will win the World Cup: Spain
On Sunday, “Eviva España” will be ringing around the New Jersey Stadium as Spain win their second World Cup. A lot of folk are talking about Spain’s rivals, France, but while a good team on paper, the French are infamous for infighting, and I predict there will be another spontaneous combustion.
Spain are not the European champions for nothing — they have a clear way they want to play, they are not a collection of prima donnas, and that team unity is a huge strength.
Their odds: 9/2
And what about Bafana: Only Haiti are given a worse chance of winning the Cup than South Africa, which makes a last-16 bet well worth your while.
My left-field prediction: South Africa and New Zealand to meet somewhere along the line as a warm-up for the Greatest Rivalry rugby Test in Baltimore.
Who will win the World Cup: France
The 2018 champions and 2022 finalists are stacked. Despite what Real Madrid fans might feel this season, captain Kylian Mbappé is a superstar who has already lifted the Fifa World Cup trophy — a feat he shares with the equally impressive Ousmane Dembélé and N’Golo Kanté.
There is a core of PSG players within Les Bleus who weathered intense scrutiny during an impressive Uuefa Champions League title run. In coach Didier Deschamps, they have continuity and arguably one of the best tacticians in world football.
Their odds: 5/1
And what about Bafana: Round of 32, but I dream of a Round of 16 appearance.
My left-field prediction: Donald Trump won’t get the cue to leave the winners’ platform and will celebrate with the world champions as if he won the cup himself.
Fifa World Cup schedule.
Image: GraphicNews
Who will win the World Cup: Argentina
Just like four years ago in 2022, Argentina will arrive at a World Cup unfancied despite a proven trophy pedigree. Deemed to not have a squad of high enough quality before emerging as the ultimate powerhouse in Qatar, this Lionel Messi-led group faces different detractors despite being the defending champions.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has kept a huge chunk of his group from the last tournament, which some deem an ageing core, but I see a team brimming with chemistry, experience, big-match temperament and the attacking precision of not only Messi but Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Their odds: 9/1
And what about Bafana: Round of 16. History makers.
My left-field prediction: Probably not as left-field as most, but England will not meet expectations once more and will exit before or in the Round of 16.
Who will win the World Cup: Spain
The European champions have the pedigree and class. And the most talented teenager to grace the Fifa World Cup since the real Ronaldo in Yamine Lamal. Coach Luis de la Fuente has also been able to combine Spain’s traditional possession-based game with a greater directness.
He also showed he has the courage to make the big calls, excluding all Real Madrid players from La Roja for this World Cup. I also believe in fate and destiny, with Mexico hosting Bafana Bafana in a repeat of the 2010 Fifa World Cup opener, the likelihood of it ending in the same way with Spain lifting the trophy again 16 years after their first triumph is high.
Their odds: 9/2.
And what about Bafana: It will take an almighty effort to get out of the group, but Hugo Broos has shown before that he can work miracles with this team.
My left-field prediction: The UN intervenes and insists banished Somali referee Omar Artan enter the US, where he is dramatically called up to officiate the World Cup final.
Who will win the World Cup: Brazil
With a squad roster that already reads like the shortlist for the World Cup dream team and yet, the Seleção’s secret weapon this time around is not even among their players; rather, he comes in the form of a Don — the Italian-born, respect-commanding tactician Carlo Ancelotti.
If you consider that 2026 has so far, to a certain extent, been a year to end long title droughts — think Arsenal, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns — then the Seleção are well set to end their 24-year World Cup silverware drought.
Tip Vini, who has played his best football under Don Carlo, for both a Golden Boot and a Golden Shoe while you’re at it.
Mic drop!!!
Their odds: 9/1
And what about Bafana: At best they will move on to the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.
My left-field prediction: Mexico fans will stand out with the Mexican Wave, while less than a handful USA-based matches will be sold out.