Eight former players — including Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira, and Ellen White — shared their predictions for the 2026 World Cup in a recent roundtable, according to the report. the pundits broadly favored Spain and France while offering cautious optimism for England and a steep challenge for Scotland.

Spain and France Emerge as the Consensus Favorites Among Eight Former Stars

Steph Houghton, Wayne Rooney, Olivier Giroud, Ian Wright, and Patrick Vieira all singled out either Spain or France as the team to beat in 2026, as the source reported. Giroud wondered whether the two sides would meet in the final, while Wright predicted Spain would win, citing their mix of experience and young talent. Vieira called France the team to beat, pointing to individual talent, team spirit, and physical strength.. Rooney listed Spain, France, and England as top contenders.

The convergence of opinions reflects the current strength of both national programs. Spain recently won the UEFA Nations League and has a generation of technical players, while France, the 2018 champions, remain deep in quality. The 2026 edition, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first with 48 teams, but the pundits' picks still center on European powerhouses.

England's Defense and Scotland's Difficult Path Dominate Concerns

Several former players expressed worries about England's backline, according to the report. While some believed England could go far thanks to experienced players and a great manager, defensive frailty was flagged as a potential weakness. For Scotland, the challenge is more immediate: the panel noted that progression depends on a strong start against Haiti and key players being in form .

Scotland's group includes Haiti, a team they have rarely faced, making the opener a crucial test. The pundits were split on whether Scotland's squad depth can carry them past the group stage. This mirrors a broader trend: smaller nations often struggle in expanded tournaments if they cannot win early matches against similarly ranked opponents.

Three Players to Watch: Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, and Michael Olise

The roundtable highlighted several rising stars. Lamine Yamal of Spain was named as a standout, while Nico O'Reilly was tipped for England. Erling Haaland of Norway was also mentioned, and Michael Olise was predicted to star for France, as the source noted. These names suggest the pundits are looking beyond the usual superstars to younger talents who could define the tournament.

Haaland's inclusion is notable because Norway has not qualified for a World Cup since 1998; if they do reach 2026, his presence could make them a wildcard. Olise, meanwhile, represents France's next wave. The focus on youth underscores how the 2026 tournament might see new stars emerge on a global stage.

The Missing Voices: No Mention of Brazil, Argentina, or the 48-Team Format

Notably absent from the discussion were Brazil and Argentina, traditional World Cup powerhouses,as well as any analysis of how the expanded 48-team field might alter predictions. The source only reported opinions from the eight former players, leaving open questions about whether these omissions were deliberate or merely a product of the panel's composition. Additionally, no pundit addressed the impact of hosting across three time zones or the travel demands on teams.

The lack of South American representation in the predictions could simply reflect the panel's European bias — five of the eight played for European nations.. But it also raises a genuine uncertainty: can Argentina defend their 2022 title, or will Brazil return to form? For readers, the most significant unknown is whether the expanded format will favor underdogs or further entrench the elite.