This year’s FIFA World Cup has a new format and, for the first time since 1994, games in the United States. With a rising Spanish team, a resilient French team, and Argentina looking to defend their title, this will be one of the most intriguing FIFA World Cups ever.
One thing adding to the excitement is the new format this year. For the first time, there will be 48 teams in the group stage split across 12 groups of four teams. Along with that, the knockout stages will start with the Round of 32. Meaning the top eight teams in points that finish third in their group will claim an at-large spot and move on to the knockout stages.
Despite this, a few standout groups have come about. Group I, for example, has France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. A tough group that any team could realistically win, but I have chalked France topping the group, Senegal taking second, Norway taking third with an at-large spot, and Iraq finishing last.
Group J has a clear favorite in Argentina, but Algeria, Austria, or even Jordan could take second in the group, and whoever takes third should take one of the at-large spots. I have Argentina topping the group, Algeria taking second, Austria taking third with an at-large, and Jordan finishing last.
Finally, Group K has a clear fight for the top between Portugal and Colombia, with Uzbekistan and DR Congo fighting for the at-large spot. While I have Uzbekistan at third, I don’t think they can earn an at-large spot. The rest of the group has DR Congo finishing last, and in a shocking turn of events, Colombia topping the group, with Portugal taking second.
Another interesting part of the Group Stage is that eight third-place teams go to the Knockout Rounds. The eight I have going through are Czechia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Scotland, Australia, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Norway, and Algeria.
With all of that, the most anticipated sporting event of the year is the FIFA World Cup final. Lionel Messi, the aging superstar looking to lead Argentina to be the third country to go back-to-back, vs. Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Spanish phenom looking to lead Spain to their first title since 2010. While Argentina will put up a good fight, the Spanish squad remains the most likely winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Although this is a team game, there are three major individual awards: the Golden Ball (the best player), the Golden Boot (top scorer), and the Golden Glove (best goalkeeper). With a projected gold medal already secured, Lamine Yamal is my pick for Golden Ball winner.
Although England was not projected to win an award, they fought hard and ended up with both a bronze medal and the 2026 Golden Boot, won by Harry Kane. The final award would go to the man with the greatest celebrations, an Argentinian with an amazing personality, and a repeat winner of the Golden Glove award, Emiliano Martínez.
Overall, this FIFA World Cup could see any team win, creating one of the most interesting and exciting tournaments in recent memory.