MIAMI, UNITED STATES — Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has identified France national football team, Brazil national football team, and Spain national football team as the leading favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite Argentina entering the tournament as defending champions.
Messi, who guided Argentina national football team to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, said the three nations possess the quality, squad depth, and international experience needed to challenge for football’s biggest prize.
According to the Argentine captain, France remain one of the strongest teams in world football because of their consistency in major tournaments and the quality of players available across multiple positions.
France reached consecutive World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022 and continue to boast a squad filled with elite talent competing in Europe’s top leagues.
Messi also highlighted Brazil’s attacking strength and football tradition, describing the South American giants as perennial contenders whenever the World Cup approaches.
The Brazilian national team is currently undergoing another rebuilding phase with several emerging stars expected to play central roles in the 2026 tournament.
Spain was equally identified by Messi as one of the most technically balanced teams preparing for the competition.
The Spanish side has impressed many analysts with its younger generation of players and possession-based style under a renewed tactical system.
Messi acknowledged that Argentina will still enter the tournament with confidence after their recent international successes, including the 2022 World Cup and Copa América triumphs.
However, he stressed that World Cups are always unpredictable and require consistency, mental strength, and squad balance to succeed.
Football analysts say Messi’s comments reflect the current global perception surrounding the strongest national teams heading toward the expanded 2026 tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the competition will feature 48 teams.
The expanded format is expected to create more competitive fixtures and broader continental representation.
Messi’s future participation in the tournament has remained a subject of global discussion, although the Argentine star has not fully confirmed whether he will retire from international football before the competition.
Supporters worldwide continue to hope the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will feature in one final World Cup campaign.
Football experts believe France, Brazil, Spain, England, and Argentina currently form the strongest group of contenders based on squad quality and recent international performances.
The countdown to the 2026 tournament has already generated major excitement as national teams intensify preparations, qualification campaigns, and long-term squad planning.
Attention now shifts to upcoming international fixtures and how leading football nations will shape their final squads ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup tournament.
