Paul Merson Names Spain, France, Argentina, Portugal and England as His 2026 World Cup Favourites
Paul Merson has revealed his top five favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing Spain and France ahead of other football giants.
The former Arsenal FC star, writing in his column for Sportskeeda, believes Spain’s possession-based style and France’s attacking quality make them the strongest contenders heading into the tournament.
Merson ranked Spain as his number one choice, praising their ability to control games through ball possession.
"Spain have the X-factor. I said that teams who keep the ball longer will have a better chance of winning the World Cup this time around. Spain excel at the art of keeping the ball, and that will be a big advantage," he said.
France were placed second, with Merson highlighting their frightening attacking options rather than focusing on defensive concerns.
"Their attack is stacked. France have the ammunition to hurt any team in the world," he added.
Argentina came third on his list, although Merson admitted that much depends on whether captain Lionel Messi can still produce the level of performances that defined his prime years.
"If Messi performs as he did in his early 30s, Argentina have a chance. I doubt he still has that cutting edge to win the World Cup back-to-back, though," he stated.
Portugal were ranked fourth, with Merson praising their midfield strength and technical quality. He singled out players such as Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes as key reasons for their chances.
England completed his top five, with Merson admitting that the major question remains whether the Three Lions can defeat the biggest teams when the pressure rises.
"England have a chance of winning it. But when push comes to shove against big teams in the latter stages, can they step up? That is our huge challenge," he said.
Spain’s Style, France’s Firepower and England’s Big Test
Merson’s ranking reflects a major theme ahead of the 2026 World Cup: teams with technical ability and control in midfield may have a huge advantage.
Spain’s ability to dominate possession, France’s attacking depth, Portugal’s midfield creativity and England’s growing collection of match-winners all make them serious contenders.
However, the World Cup has often been decided by moments rather than reputation. A single injury, tactical adjustment or individual performance can change the entire tournament.
With several nations arriving with elite squads, Merson’s favourites list shows that the 2026 World Cup could be one of the most competitive editions in recent history.
