Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has revised his prediction for the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, naming Spain as his new favourite to lift football’s biggest prize.
The tournament officially gets underway today, with football fans around the world turning their attention to the month-long competition.
Ferdinand’s latest prediction comes after weeks of backing France as the strongest contender for the title.
Why Ferdinand Initially Chose France
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former England international highlighted the quality available to France, particularly in attack.
He praised the influence of players such as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, suggesting that France possesses enough firepower to dominate any opponent when their key stars perform at their highest level.
Ferdinand also pointed to the tactical management of Didier Deschamps as a major advantage for the French national team.
Spain’s Squad Changes the Conversation
Despite his admiration for France, Ferdinand admitted that Spain’s current squad has convinced him to rethink his prediction.
The football pundit cited the importance of having a fully fit group of players, especially young sensation Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams and midfield anchor Rodri.
According to him, Spain becomes extremely difficult to stop when those players are available and performing at their best.
Spain Among Tournament Favourites
Spain heads into the World Cup as one of the most highly rated teams in international football.
The European giants have combined experienced leaders with an exciting generation of young talent, creating a squad many analysts believe can challenge for the trophy.
The emergence of Yamal as one of world football’s brightest prospects has further strengthened expectations around the Spanish team.
World Cup Debate Intensifies
As the tournament begins, predictions continue to dominate football discussions worldwide.
While France, Argentina, England and Portugal remain among the leading contenders, Spain’s recent performances have convinced many observers that they have what it takes to go all the way.
Ferdinand’s latest comments reflect a growing belief that Spain could be one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
Eyes on the Opening Matches
With the World Cup now underway, fans will soon find out whether pre-tournament predictions match reality.
For Ferdinand, the deciding factor was simple: if Spain’s key stars remain fit and available, he believes they have every chance of becoming world champions.
The coming weeks will reveal whether his change of heart proves to be a winning prediction.