Khlone's World Cup Preview

THE WORLD CUP IS HERE!!! 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially starts on Thursday with (Group A) Mexico v South Africa. Interestingly enough, that is the inverse match from the 2010 South Africa World Cup opener that gave us a famous celebration following South Africa’s goal scored by Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala. That match will then be followed with the other two Group A teams, South Korea v Czechia. 

For those unaware, there are 12 groups (A-L) of four nations each. The group stage will last from June 11-27. Each teams plays 3 group stage matches, one against every team in their group. The top 2 teams in each group will advance to the Round of 32, also referred to as the Knockout Stages because every match from there on out is win or go home. But isn’t that only 24 teams? Yes, the top 8 teams remaining, who did not finish top 2 in their group, also advance into the Round of 32. Those 16 matches will be played June 28-July 3. Winners will advance to the Round of 16, played July 4-7. These means that people from all over the world get to experience a 4th of July celebration and hopefully watch Joey Chestnut display his greatness! The quarterfinals will then be July 9-11; semifinals July 14 & 15: 3rd place match July 18, and lastly the Final on July 19. 

Speaking of the final…Who are the favorites? Spain, France, England, Portugal, and of course, the reigning champions of the world: Argentina are the betting favorites. Spain are the current champions of Europe, as they won the Euros in 2024. They will be hoping for Lamine Yamal hamstring injury to be fully healed and ready to lead them. France has, without debate, the most lethal attack in the world. Mbappe, Doue, Olise, Cherki, and of course Dembele who is the reigning Ballon d’Or Winner. They also have the best defender in the world, William Saliba. England is has great players all over the pitch, but Manager Thomas Tuchel has selected a team that raised many questions amongst English supporters by leaving out names like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Portugal, in what is almost certainly Cristiano Ronaldo’s last go, will lean on a very strong midfield to carry them through the tournament. Lastly, Argentina. The reigning champs have exactly that, championship pedigree. A team that has won it all most recently than anyone else and a very important person who is also likely in their last world cup, Leo Messi. 

What other nations are there to look out for? As always, Brazil and their potent attack can be very dangerous to any team in the tourney. Betting odds have them as the 6th most likely team to win. Two more teams to look for are the Netherlands and Ecuador. Both built with a very strong defense and a more than capable attack to pair with it. Morocco also looks to be a threat once again. Slowly, but surely, they are making themselves a well known international team that can threaten anyone. It way beyond a cinderella team with a few good players now. Germany is a “big name” country that, I believe, has questions to answer. The team just feels like something is missing that would take them from a possible winner to a likely winner. They have a lot of players who occupy the same spaces in possession and will have to work that out. Hopefully, Kai Havertz (my dark horse pick for the Golden Boot, if Germany make a run of course) can be the glue that holds that attack together as a cohesive unit. Belgium also deserves a shout; the Red Devils are always a threat to put something together with names like Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois in the team sheet. Turkey can also be dangerous. Arda Guler playing freely is one of the best young players in the world, no question. The two last teams that I can see punching above their weight class are Senegal and Norway. Senegal recently won AFCON and could be riding high from that. Norway have the best stiker in the world: Erling Haaland. He will be dangerous every second he’s on the pitch, and if Martin Odegaard can stay healthy in that midfield, they will have more control in games than many probably expect them to. 

Who will be the world’s favorite underdog this year?