French football legend Thierry Henry sees his home nation as the frontrunners to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he also highlighted potential dark horses that could cause major upsets.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Henry, a World Cup winner himself in 1998, stated, "I see France as the top contender – partly because I’m French, but also because we’ve reached the last two finals." His reasoning is solid; France secured the trophy in 2018 and were runners-up in 2022, boasting a squad packed with elite talent like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Beyond France, Henry anticipates strong challenges from established footballing powerhouses. "Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and England are also promising candidates," he noted. He also expressed anticipation for Germany to rebound, wishing coach Julian Nagelsmann and his team well, "unless they play against France." This group includes defending champions Argentina, a youthful Spanish side, a potent Portuguese lineup, and a talented English squad.
However, the most intriguing aspect of Henry's forecast lies in his mention of potential underdogs: Norway and Senegal. Both teams are set to compete in the expanded 48-team tournament. Henry believes Norway possesses the attacking prowess to surprise teams, while Senegal brings a formidable combination of physicality, speed, and knockout-stage experience that could trouble any opponent.
While France might be the team to beat, Henry's comments serve as a reminder that World Cups are notoriously unpredictable. The inclusion of less-favored teams like Norway and Senegal adds an exciting layer of uncertainty to the upcoming tournament, proving that even the favorites can be challenged.
