Lionel Messi has shared his thoughts on World Cup 2026 as he bids to retain the trophy he won with Argentina last time out in Qatar.
There will obviously be a host of Barcelona players at the World Cup, with Spain one of the favorites heading into the tournament.
Lamine Yamal is expected to be fit in time for the tournament and is likely to join Barca team-mates such as Pedri, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi in ths squad.
Messi feels that Argentina aren’t the hot favorites ahead of the competition and shared his thoughts on who might end up being crowned world champions.
“We have to get excited, like Argentinians always do whenever there’s an official competition, whether it’s the Copa América or the World Cup, but we also have to know that there are other favorites ahead of us, who are coming in better as a group and as a team,” he said in an interview with the YouTube channel Lo del Pollo.
“This Argentina team will always compete and give their best, just like they have since this group came together.
“Right now, France looks very good again. They have many top-level players. I think Spain, Brazil—although they haven’t been at their best lately—are always contenders and have the players to compete in all official competitions.
“Then we all say the same things. Germany, England, the big powers… Portugal has a very competitive and good team too. And then there’s always some surprise…”
Who do you think will win World Cup 2026? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!