​With the World Cup now nearing its climax, Arsene Wenger has been weighing in on which nation he believes will lift the trophy in 2026. As eight teams remain in the tournament, France are set to face Morocco in the opening quarter-final clash, a mouth-watering matchup that sets the tone for a thrilling run to the final. Spain, England and Argentina are among the other favourites still in contention, yet each side faces challenging routes to glory as the quarter-final stage approaches.
Ahead of the final eight, the former Arsenal manager has shared his prediction in New York, where the action is building toward the knockout rounds. Wenger has publicly backed France to win the World Cup, but he also leaves the door ajar for an upset, suggesting that Spain could be the team capable of stopping Didier Deschamps’ side from clinching a third world title.
Kylian Mbappe has carried France forward in this campaign, scoring seven goals in five matches and proving instrumental in guiding Les Bleus toward the late stages. Alongside Mbappe, players such as Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele have helped to make the French squad one of the most feared in the tournament, blending raw pace with technical prowess and strategic acumen.
When pressed about which nation will ultimately prevail, Wenger spoke to Toni Kroos’ TikTok live, articulating his widely anticipated verdict: “France will win the World Cup.” He acknowledged the potential perception that his national allegiance could color his judgment, but he argued that the World Cup’s momentum often operates like a train that must be boarded at the right moment. In his view, many teams faltered due to the pace and intensity of the competition, particularly in Asia, where several squads struggled to keep up with the tempo and lacked the technical precision necessary to compete at the highest level.
Nevertheless, Wenger identified a singular challenger who could derail France’s title bid: Spain. “The real question for me is Spain,” he said. He asserted that Spain possess a higher level of technical quality than France, pointing to a roster rich in talent such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Rodri. In Wenger’s assessment, these players contribute a sophistication of technique and a depth of quality that could pose the most serious test to France’s ambitions.
According to Wenger, Spain’s blend of individual skill and collective football culture marks them out as the team most capable of toppling France. He argued that Spain’s technical standard surpasses that of France, and that their ability to work as a cohesive unit — a hallmark of Spanish football culture — might give them the edge needed to beat the reigning champions.
Looking ahead, the potential clash between the top two nations could materialize in the semi-finals if France defeat Morocco and Spain overcome Belgium in their quarter-final ties. If that blockbuster happens, it would set up a mouth-watering showdown with everything to play for, including a chance to deny France a historic third consecutive World Cup triumph and to deliver a defining moment for Spanish football.
As the tournament progresses, the debate over the likely champions will intensify, but Wenger’s analysis adds an intriguing dimension: while France remain favourites in his eyes, Spain’s rare blend of technical nuance, teamwork, and cultural fluency could prove decisive in breaking through what might appear to be an unstoppable French machine. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether Wenger’s prediction holds true and which nation will emerge from the crucible of the knockout rounds as the 2026 World Cup champions.