Arsène Wenger Pinpoints ‘Super’ Team Who Could Take 2026 FIFA World Cup by Storm

Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has insisted that France could win their third FIFA World Cup next year, thanks to their depth of world-class attacking talent.

Les Bleus, who lost on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, are deemed as one of the heavyweights in men’s soccer. They have won two World Cup crowns and two UEFA European Championship trophies in their history.

Arsène Wenger Offers 2026 FIFA World Cup Prediction

During a recent chat with GOAL, Arsène Wenger was asked to share his honest thoughts on the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The three-time Premier League-winning coach earmarked England as one of the favourites before predicting a victorious campaign for France.

“England are one of the favourites of the World Cup. They are always nearly there. And they have to make the step. They have the quality to win,” the former AS Monaco and AS Nancy head coach said.

READ MORE: Kylian Mbappé Matches Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

“By trying to be as objective as possible, I think France are the super favourites. Just for one reason. They have more world-class strikers than any other country. To have such a bench and such quality will make the difference,” Wenger concluded.

France, which has lost just once in their past 14 World Cup games, boasts a brilliant squad. Apart from Kylian Mbappé, Didier Deschamps’ side also has the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Marcus Thuram, and Hugo Ekitiké.

However, Lionel Messi doesn’t agree with Wenger at all because he eyes another before hanging up his cleats.

Lionel Messi Believes Argentina Will Win FIFA World Cup Again

Messi believes that Argentina could retain their FIFA World Cup trophy next year while also claiming that the quadrennial tournament is tough to win.

“Can what happened in Qatar be repeated? Yes, I believe it’s a group that will try again, and will give everything and fight. The World Cup is very difficult, any team can make things tough for you and eliminate you. The ball might hit the post and go out, or hit the post and go in, and just like that, your journey ends or you lose on penalties,” the Inter Miami star ESPN (via X/@AlbicelesteTalk).

“In the last World Cup, luck was on our side, even though we were greatly superior in our matches against the Netherlands and France, we ended up going to penalties, and then we had the beast as a goalkeeper who made us win. But it can happen that you reach penalties and don’t win… it’s very hard to win the World Cup,” the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner concluded.