Although I would like England to win the 
World Cup, I simply don’t see it happening. 
No, I predict that France will win the 
World Cup. I have chosen France because 
they have world-class players like -, Doué 
etc. I mean, what can I say? These are 
world renowned players! OK, England has 
players such as Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), 
Harry Kane (Bayern), plus a few 
others, but we simply do not 
have the numbers. Don’t 
get me wrong, folks, Saka 
is a fantastic player, but 
compared to Kylian Mbappe? 
Really? Only one conclusion can be 
reached and it’s Vive La France! 
I’m afraid. That’s my World Cup 
prediction for 2026!
Hari Randhawa, 
Year 8
England: The three lions have brilliant squad depth and promising talents. Captain Harry Kane, 
Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are in brilliant form. Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo bring 
balance in the midfield. They have been consistent in their last 4 international tournaments 
as they were Semi-finalists in 2018 WC, runners up of Euro 2020 and 2024 and QF in 2022 
WC. England are 3rd favourites to win World Cup behind Spain and France. Tuchel replaced 
Southgate as he has more experience in knockout and won trophies at club level.
Daniel Chintala, Year 9
In 2026 there will now be 48 teams 
with 12 groups, with 4 teams in 
each group, which means there 
are more candidates to win the 
trophy, making it even harder for 
predictions to happen. However, but 
if you study the playing style of each 
team, and the motive behind why 
the players are doing it, then look 
at the team with the best statistics 
overall, you can make some solid 
predictions about this year’s World 
Cup outcome. The teams that truly 
stand out and will be at least in the 
quarter finals are Spain, France, 
England, Netherlands, Argentina, 
Portugal, Germany and Brazil. 
These countries impress because 
their managers are strong, the team 
tactics are based on fast decision 
making, and their rationality do 
not let their emotions cloud their 
judgement. For example, Spain 
simply use their advantage of 
unpredictability and may easily 
reach the Final but there they 
might get destroyed by France. 
The French have players with 
experience, but also have promising 
rookies. It is difficult to pick between 
France or Spain but right now I 
pick France as they have an overall 
balanced team, have won it before 
and can do it again, with perfection 
and control in their passing, along 
with consistency and a relentless 
determination, which high fuels 
their players like a fire never ending. 
This should be more than enough 
for the French to win another 
World Cup victory – Manager 
Didier Deschamps portrays such 
raw emotion during games but yet 
manages to display a calm collected 
atmosphere which makes his team 
feel safe. The French players are 
reassured knowing as long as 
they follow his orders they will go 
far in the competition, based on 
the way Deschamps analyses the 
opponent’s game and prepare his 
team. This is why I believe another 
French World Cup victory is on 
the cards, because of the raw 
French spirit and their compelling 
sportsmanship.
Zakariya Jabran, Year 9
In my opinion, I believe the French 
will take another World Cup trophy 
back to Paris because players 
like Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo 
Camavinga bring pace, skill and 
quality to the French football team, 
with Mbappé often able to change 
the game in the blink of an eye. 
With defensive organization 
and skill in counterattacks by 
manager Didier Deschamps, 
and his experience in managing 
high-pressure football 
tournament situations, France 
will be difficult for other 
national football teams to beat 
if they continue to perform as 
well as they have this season. 
France features all the talent, 
experience and football 
tactics required to win and is 
primed and ready to rise to 
the challenge and claim the 
World Cup trophy in 2026.
Amrit Singh, Year 8
My World 
Cup prediction 
goes to Didier 
Deschamp’s France, 
one of the favourites to win 
the 4-year awaited tournament 
hosted in North America. Some 
clear standout players are Cherki, Olise, 
Dembélé and of course Mbappé, who 
already won a World Cup at 19, and also 
carried his team to a final in the World Cup 
in 2022 in Qatar, against one of Argentina’s 
greatest sides. Cherki is one of the most out 
of this world, eye catching footballers playing 
for Manchester City, which is regarded by 
everyone as one of the world’s best football 
clubs. Furthermore, Olise and Dembélé 
remain some of the most creative and unique 
players worldwide, with Olise having the 
record for the most assists for any player in 
the top 5 leagues, and Dembélé leading the 
talented Paris Saint Germain eleven to their 
first Champions League last year. The PSG 
coach has already won one World Cup, and 
he is heavily linked with some of the best 
football clubs in the world. So I am fairly 
certain France to win the World Cup in 2026!
Virun Chohan, Year 8
IMAGE: © Oleksandr 
Prykhodko | 
Dreamstime.com
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