​Ahead of the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, we invited your predictions about who will lift the trophy and which player will claim the Golden Ball, as part of the latest edition of SB Nation Reacts. The competition features four seeded teams—France, Spain, Argentina, and England—but it is the defending champions who led the voting, topping the poll ahead of their upcoming quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Sunday.
In our World Cup winner prediction, Argentina earned the most votes, claiming 46% of the total, edging out France and Spain as supporters weighed the strength and momentum of the South American side. The poll reflects widespread confidence in Argentina’s chances to repeat or surpass their 2022 triumph, with many fans citing a blend of experienced leadership, tactical flexibility, and a high-powered attacking lineup as key factors in their favor.
Our second query focused on the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament’s standout player. Once again, Lionel Messi emerged as the crowd favorite in our survey. The Argentine maestro has been in extraordinary form across the tournament, delivering a dazzling display of creativity, leadership, and goal-scoring prowess. Through five matches, Messi has already tallied eight goals, underscoring his pivotal role in Argentina’s campaign and reinforcing why he is widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest talents. Trailing closely behind Messi in the poll is Kylian Mbappé, whose own electrifying performances and goal-scoring exploits have kept France in the conversation as potential Golden Ball recipients. The voting results reflect a combination of Messi’s enduring influence and Mbappé’s continued impact on the world stage.
We extend a sincere thanks to everyone who participated in our survey. Your input helps shape the discussion around the tournament as it unfolds, and there may be more opportunities to share your views in future editions. This poll and the accompanying graphics are sponsored by FanDuel. For fans and readers eager to engage with more data-driven insights and interactive content, stay tuned for further updates as the World Cup 2026 progresses toward its dramatic conclusion.