Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has identified England as a strong contender for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while still naming France as his top favorite.
Ahead of Friday’s group-stage draw, Wenger praised England’s steady rise on the international stage under manager Thomas Tuchel. “England will be among the favorites for the World Cup,” he said. “They consistently reach the semifinals, quarterfinals, or final, and now they need to take the next step. They have the quality required.”
England secured qualification for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a flawless qualifying campaign. Despite commending the Three Lions, Wenger emphasized that France remains the team to beat. He highlighted their unmatched depth of world-class attacking talent as a key advantage in knockout competitions.
“Trying to stay objective, I continue to back Europe, and France is my top pick for one reason: they have more world-class forwards than any other national team. Having such quality on the bench in the knockout stages can be a game-changer,” Wenger concluded.
