The 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly upon us as 48 nations look to battle it out to see who will be crowned champions of the world in New York on July 19 - and Sky Sports' football writers have predicted their winners at the MetLife Stadium...
What a story it would be if, at 41-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo matches his arch rival Lionel Messi by helping Portugal to a first-ever World Cup this summer. The Argentina ace's supporters have been able to play a trump card whenever the debate about the two modern-day icons has been had since Messi's heroics in Qatar. Ronaldo now has a great chance to strike back.
While Messi inspired his capable but unspectacular team-mates to glory in 2022, Ronaldo arrives in North America with real quality all around him. Bruno Fernandes is the Premier League player of the year. There's the PSG clan of Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Ramos and Ballon d'Or third-place Vitinha who are coming into this off the back of a second straight Champions League win. Brilliant Bernardo Silva and the livewire Rafael Leao are in Roberto Martinez's squad too.
Portugal have recently shown their pedigree on the international stage with a 2025 Nations League final win over European champions Spain. The talent, experience - and storyline - is there for them to win this World Cup. Oh, and a potential showdown with Messi and Argentina could come in the quarter-finals if they both win their groups. Peter Smith
Winners in 2018, unlucky runners-up in 2022, you cannot rule France out on the World Cup stage. For all the narratives that exist at this World Cup, is Didier Deschamps' final adieu as Les Bleus boss not being talked about enough?
All you have to do is look at the array of attacking talent France have. Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Kylian Mbappe is a frightening front four - with Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Jean-Philippe Mateta among the options off the bench.
At the back, you have a cheat code duo of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano to snuff out any attacks. There's plenty of experience elsewhere on the pitch too including N'Golo Kante, Jules Kounde, Lucas Hernandez and Adrien Rabiot.
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Exciting and experienced, if France get the balance in their team right, it's theirs to lose. Sam Blitz
Only once has a European country won a World Cup when it was held outside of the continent. That was Spain, who claimed their only World Cup victory in South Africa back in 2010.
Sixteen years on, La Roja are one of, if not the best-placed European team to go all the way. But the conditions in North America could prove to be the difference.
None of the South American powerhouses have been overly convincing in recent times, but you'd have to guess that if the winner were to come from outside Europe, Argentina and Brazil would be favourites.
There is something quite romantic about one of the godfathers of management being appointed by the most famous footballing country to bring home the greatest prize in football for a record-extending sixth time. Plus, going back-to-back at a World Cup is no easy feat. That's why it hasn't been done since 1962.
There are flaws in Brazil's team. They are too attack-heavy and their midfield looks sparse. But why not stick your neck on the line and say that Don Carlo restores pride to the Canarinho? Callum Bishop
We now live in a world where Brazil , the nation with more World Cups than any other, are considered 'dark horses'.
This Brazil side is a far cry from the Joga Bonito Selecao of the past that would enter every competition among the favourites but that's where they will thrive.
If you're after a free-flowing side, stick to the Spains of this world. This is a workman's Brazil side. Led by Carlo Ancelotti, who gets over the line in knockout games by placing importance on defensive shape but allowing individual quality to shine through.
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Anchored by a veteran Casemiro, who can cap off a trophy-laden career with the holy grail of international football. At the back, a Champions League final defensive duo of Gabriel and Marquinhos will be difficult to top throughout the tournament.
The likes of Vinicius Jr and Raphinha will be looking forward to leaving a mark on a World Cup in a way they haven't before. Neymar is no longer the first name on the team sheet but whatever squad the now 34-year-old is part of will still be lifted by his presence.
This generation of Brazilian players still have a story to write. It may not be the poetic tales of the past, but under Ancelotti, a prosaic narrative with a touch of Samba may just suffice. William Bitibiri
Currently ranked No 2 in the world by FIFA, Spain absolutely have to be in the title picture.
They are the reigning European champions too, having beaten England in the final two years ago, and will be looking to add to their only World Cup title from 2010.
And what happened two years before that? Spain won Euro 2008 - and they will be hoping the same pattern will be repeating itself now.
Spain often have a who's who of title winners from across Europe, and this summer is no different. David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up. There are eight LaLiga winners from Barcelona - but, tellingly, none from Real Madrid.
All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world. Just 18 years old, he is tipped to be the young player of the tournament and already has the ability to spearhead his team to World Cup glory.
But there is also a point to prove. Since Spain's victory in South Africa, La Roja have not made it past the round of 16, exiting at that stage in the last two editions.
Their title defence in 2014 did not make it out of the group. Luis de la Fuente and his squad of stars will want to change that and with Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to come in Group H this summer, reaching the knockouts is unlikely to be a problem.
After that, it's every team for themselves and anything less than a semi-final will be seen as another failure for Spain on the biggest stage. Charlotte Marsh
I'm going to say it... England are going to win the World Cup!
Foolishness, I hear you cry, but why couldn't this be the summer that all those years of hurt finally come to an end?
Firstly, England have the squad and it's been picked for purpose by Thomas Tuchel. The egos have been left at home and this group, which is full of pace and running, has been picked to flourish in the conditions.
In England, we look at squads such as France and Spain and purr at the talent those countries have. But eyes around the world will be looking at England with amazement at the ability within Tuchel's squad and the talent they have also left at home.
Secondly, England have Harry Kane. What more can you say about the Bayern Munich striker? He just scores goals - 61 of them to be precise this season - and this summer he looks to be heading into the tournament in peak physical condition. He finally has that winning feeling at Bayern and maybe, just maybe, he's ready to fire England to glory too.
Finally, England have Tuchel. He's a winner and with the squad he's picked, he obviously has a plan. Gareth Southgate did a fabulous job, reaching back-to-back Euros finals with England, but his in-game management was called into question as he failed to get England over the line. That is where Tuchel excels and it could prove to be the difference maker for the Three Lions.
There are weather conditions to factor in and potential concerns about England's defence, but who doesn't suffer at one point or another to win a World Cup?
So, in short... It's finally coming home! Oliver Yew
Tournament football is often about adaptability. The teams that can solve different tactical puzzles, manage their energy levels and thrive in hostile conditions usually find themselves going deepest into the competition.
That's why Spain make the most appeal as the outright winners.
Luis de la Fuente's side are arguably the best-equipped team in the tournament because they possess two attributes that are often difficult to marry together. They can dominate possession for long spells, suffocating opponents and conserving energy through control of the ball - but they can also go direct and attack space quickly when the game demands it.
That flexibility feels particularly important in a World Cup likely to be played in extreme temperatures.
France will naturally sit near the top of most betting markets but they are easier to oppose than the odds suggest. The talent available to Didier Deschamps is eye-watering. Few nations in football history have possessed such an embarrassment of attacking riches. Yet there remains a nagging doubt over whether the France manager can truly maximise what he has at his disposal.
Deschamps has been in charge for 14 years and there are signs that his pragmatic approach may have reached its ceiling.
If you're looking beyond the obvious contenders, Ecuador leap off the page at 100/1.
That price looks like a significant underestimate of their chances.
Sebastian Beccacece's team are built for knockout football. They are robust, organised, physically powerful and extremely difficult to break down. With William Pacho and Moises Caicedo forming the spine of the team, they have the foundations required to frustrate even the elite nations. They conceded just eight goals across their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches, shutting out both Brazil and Argentina along the way.
They aren't the sexy pick - but they will be a nightmare draw for anyone in the knockouts. Lewis Jones
Yes, Portugal have never gone beyond the semi-finals at the World Cup, but something tells me this year is going to be different and if so, what a way for Cristiano Ronaldo to bring down the curtain on his illustrious international career.
Roberto Martinez has one of the most experienced and technically accomplished squads at the World Cup, crammed full of world stars at both ends of the pitch, such as Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves, Vitinha - the latter two recently crowned European champions with Paris Saint-Germain.
Portugal, who arrive in the US, Canada and Mexico ranked fifth in the world and fourth favourites for the tournament, are in a favourable-looking Group K alongside the likes of Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
They also won last summer's Nations League, getting the better of both Germany and Spain in the semi-finals and finals, with largely the same group of players.
And while their captain is now 41 years old, do not bet against the Al-Nassr forward inspiring his nation to the one trophy he has never got his hands on, 10 years on from doing the same at the Euros in France. Rich Morgan
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Sources: Sky Sports
