Arsene Wenger has named France as his super favourites to win the 2026 World Cup while backing England to challenge for the trophy.
The former Arsenal manager spoke ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Wenger now serves as FIFA’s chief of global football development.
The Frenchman backed his native country to lift the trophy next summer. He highlighted their attacking depth as the decisive factor.
“I try to be as objective as possible but France is the super-favourite for one reason: it has more world-class strikers than any other country,” Wenger said.
The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams. It will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
France reached the final of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. They won the tournament in Russia six years ago.
Wenger also tipped England to mount a serious challenge. The Three Lions have come close in recent tournaments without claiming silverware.
“England are one of the favourites for the World Cup – they are always nearly there. They have the quality to do it,” Wenger said.
England reached the last four of the World Cup in 2018. They finished runners-up at the last two European Championships.
Wenger defended the expansion to 48 teams from 32. He called it the right number for the competition.
“I believe that 48 teams is the right number,” the 76-year-old explained. “The teams are not there by coincidence because they’ve been invited.”
The World Cup draw takes place Friday at 1700 GMT. The 48 teams will be split into 12 groups of four.
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