Predictions about who will be the next World Cup champion often miss the mark. The pressure at this tournament is as intense as it gets for any player, and the margins are so fine that even a powerhouse can be knocked out.
Still, only eight countries in history have ever won the Beautiful Game’s most coveted trophy.
With a week to go before the World Cup begins, six national teams top analysts’ lists and the betting markets: Spain, France, Argentina, England, Portugal and Brazil.
Spain is one of the top two favorites. In the four years since Qatar 2022, Spain has won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024 and the men’s soccer tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In European qualifying, it advanced comfortably, finishing unbeaten atop its group. La Roja is ranked No. 2 in the global FIFA standings.
Spain is a high-scoring, attack-minded team. It has added speed and directness to the possession-based style that led it to the 2010 title. La Selección now plays faster and more aggressively. Its strengths are one-on-one ability out wide and relentless pressing after losing the ball. Its weaknesses? A squad that is perhaps too young and an attacking emphasis that can leave it exposed at the back.
