London, July 9: Former Arsenal manager and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, has backed France to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while identifying Spain as the only team capable of halting Kylian Mbappé’s side in their quest for a third world title.
France will face Morocco in the quarterfinals in a repeat of the 2022 semifinal, while Spain take on Belgium in another heavyweight last-eight clash.
Despite a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16, France have looked one of the tournament’s standout teams, and Wenger believes their pace, physicality and momentum make them the favourites to lift the trophy.The 76-year-old, however, believes Spain possess the technical quality to challenge the two-time world champions. (AP)
