The legendary former Arsenal boss has given his verdict on who will be lifting the trophy in 2026 — and he is not mincing words.
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Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has thrown his weight behind France as the team to beat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that only Spain stands between Les Bleus and World Cup glory.
The French tactician, who spent over two decades building dynasty at Arsenal and is now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, believes Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad carries the kind of quality that wins tournaments — and that only La Roja has the firepower to stop them.
France: The Team With Everything to Prove
For Nigerian football lovers who have been following international football closely, France is not a new name when it comes to World Cup conversations. With talents like Kylian Mbappé — arguably the most dangerous footballer on the planet right now — plus a squad that is deep, experienced, and tactically disciplined, it is easy to see why Wenger is backing Les Bleus to go all the way.
France already lifted the World Cup trophy in Russia back in 2018, and they came agonizingly close in Qatar 2022, only to fall to Argentina in one of the greatest finals in the tournament’s history. That kind of hunger and experience? E no dey easy to stop.
Spain: The Only Obstacle
Wenger, however, is not writing off Spain. The current UEFA Nations League holders and Euro 2024 champions have shown the world that their tiki-taka philosophy has evolved into something even more devastating under coach Luis de la Fuente. With young stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Nico Williams combining beautifully, Spain are no longer just stylish — they are effective, clinical, and dangerous.
For Wenger, these are the only two teams truly operating at a level above the rest of the competition ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
What About the Rest?
Now, as Nigerian fans, we must also ask — where does the Super Eagles fit into all of this? While Nigeria may not have received a mention in Wenger’s prediction, the 2026 World Cup represents a massive opportunity for the Super Eagles to finally announce themselves on the biggest stage. With the AFCON 2025 campaign in view and qualification battles still ongoing, Nigeria must take note of the standards that teams like France and Spain are setting.
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time, which means more African slots and a better chance for Nigeria to not just qualify — but to go deep into the competition.
Final Whistle
Wenger has spoken, and his verdict is clear: France are favourites, Spain are the danger men, and everyone else is playing catch-up.
Whether you agree with the Arsenal legend or not, one thing is certain — 2026 is going to be one for the history books. As for Nigeria? Make we just dey watch and pray that the Super Eagles will give us reason to believe when the time comes.
What do you think — can any other team upset France’s World Cup ambitions? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below!
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