Al Jazeera Rates 16 UEFA World Cup Teams, Picks France to Win 2026
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
Al Jazeera Rates 16 UEFA World Cup Teams, Picks France to Win 2026
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
Summary
France is Al Jazeera’s top European pick for World Cup 2026, with Spain tipped as runners-up and Germany forecast to reach the semifinals.
The outlet assessed 16 UEFA qualifiers ahead of the June 11 start, noting Europe supplies four former champions in the field while Italy miss a third straight tournament.
Austria, Norway and Scotland return after 28-year absences, while Bosnia and Herzegovina make only their second finals appearance and Turkiye just their third.
Several traditional powers are projected to fall short: England, Belgium, Croatia, the Netherlands and Portugal are all tipped to exit in the quarterfinals.
The ratings underline Europe’s depth at the 2026 tournament, where only Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have ever broken the continent’s grip on the trophy.