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Spain Favored to Win World Cup; Top Scorers Identified

6/11/2026

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Summary

Spain Favored

Spain, the 2024 Euros champion, is a popular pick to win the FIFA World Cup.
France, with a balanced squad, recent World Cup final runs and coach Didier Deschamps, and Brazil, which has reached only one quarter-final since 2002, are also expected to contend.
Harry Kane, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi and Michael Olise, who scored a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in a warm-up, are top Golden Boot candidates.

Summary

Messi Seeks Record

Lionel Messi, 38, will seek a record 27th World Cup appearance on June 16 versus Algeria.
Gilberto Mora, 17 years 240 days old, will match Pelé as the tournament’s youngest player.
Coach Lionel Scaloni could be the first manager since Vittorio Pozzo (1934-38) to win back-to-back World Cups.
Vinícius Júnior has 49 caps and nine goals, with only three in major tournaments.

Summary

Stars Shine

Alejandro Grimaldo earned a 2024 Ballon d’Or nomination despite only one cap, having recorded 13 assists in the 2023/24 Bundesliga.
Michael Olise helped France win Olympic silver in 2024 with 15 goals and 15 assists in the Bundesliga.
Sander Tangvik saved five penalties and debuted versus Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and is uncapped in the World Cup squad.
Nicolas Jackson clinched Bayern’s 2025/26 title with a goal and assist on Matchday 30.

History

Historical Context

In 1938 Italy, coached by Vittorio Pozzo, became the first nation to defend the World Cup, winning its second title and keeping the trophy for twelve years because the tournament was cancelled during World War II. Over eight decades later, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni enters the 2026 World Cup with a chance to match that back-to-back triumph.

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Spain Favored

Spain, the 2024 Euros champion, is a popular pick to win the FIFA World Cup.
France, with a balanced squad, recent World Cup final runs and coach Didier Deschamps, and Brazil, which has reached only one quarter-final since 2002, are also expected to contend.
Harry Kane, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi and Michael Olise, who scored a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in a warm-up, are top Golden Boot candidates.

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