The World Cup is coming up. From June 11 to July 19, the championship will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams.
This is the 23rd World Cup.
Uruguay became world champions in 1930 and 1950, Italy in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006, Germany (West Germany) in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014, Brazil in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002, England in 1966, Argentina in 1978, 1986, and 2022, France in 1998 and 2018, and Spain in 2010.
Which teams seem likely to become world champions in 2026?
Medianews.az asked sports journalists this question.
Mahir Rüstəmli, editor-in-chief of the "Futbol+" newspaper and Football-plus.az site, says the main favorites are Spain and France: "There are also several other teams that are sufficiently strong - the national teams of England, Argentina, and Brazil. If the Turkish national team performs well, that is, does not advance as the third-placed team from the group but as one of the first two positions, it could advance up to the quarterfinals."
Aydın Bağırov, editor-in-chief of Qol.az site, anticipates a very interesting championship: "For the first time, 48 teams participate in the World Cup. Since 1998, the championship has been held with 32 teams. The number of teams has increased significantly, and I think it will be a diverse championship.
As the games will be held on the American continent, the time difference will cause some inconvenience for our fans. Many games will start early in the morning according to our time. Our fans will have to sacrifice their sleep to watch those matches. But there are also games scheduled for the evening hours by our time.
An exciting, colorful competition awaits us. In 2022, the World Cup winner was the Argentina national team. I think this time the World Cup will come to the European continent. The Spanish national team is in extremely good form. This team has both a lineup of good young players and a strong coach. Moreover, Spain is the current European champion. For these reasons, I see Spain as the main favorite."
We should not forget France either. The Brazilian national team is also preparing firmly for this competition under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti. Undoubtedly, they will strive to be the champion of the tournament, as they have not been world champions since 2002.
The last world champion, the Argentina national team, captained by Messi, is also among the favorites. But my first nominee is the Spanish national team."
Sports writer Rasim Mövsümzadə also considers the last European champion Spain team the main favorite for the 2026 World Cup: "This team has not lost in official matches during main or extra time for 3 years. Eight of its players are members of "Barcelona," which won the Spanish championship for the second consecutive season. Among them, the 18-year-old winger Lamin Yamal holds the greatest hopes.
Other favorites include France and England from Europe, and Argentina and Brazil from South America. The Norway national team could be the tournament's surprise team."
Medianews.az reminds that in the final round of the 23rd World Cup, the 48 teams are divided into 12 groups. Those who finish in the first two places and the best 8 teams among the third-placed teams will get tickets to the round of 16.
Group A
Mexico
CAR
South Korea
Czech Republic
Group B
Canada
Bosnia
Qatar
Switzerland
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Group D
USA
Paraguay
Australia
Turkey
Group E
Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
Sweden
Tunisia
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand
Group H
Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Group I
France
Senegal
Norway
Iraq
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Group K
Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Group L
England
Croatia
Panama
Ghana.
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az