From Dispatch Room
Former England striker Michael Owen has revealed his picks for both the favourite and the dark horse nation to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Owen identified Argentina as the team most likely to lift the trophy. The former Liverpool forward pointed to Argentina’s winning mentality, squad depth, and recent success on the international stage as key reasons for backing the reigning champions.
Owen believes Argentina possess the experience and quality needed to navigate the challenges of a major tournament. He noted that many members of the squad have already proven themselves under pressure in World Cup and continental competitions.
While naming Argentina as his favourite, Owen selected Spain as his dark horse. He suggested that Spain may be flying slightly under the radar compared to some of the tournament’s headline contenders despite possessing one of the most talented squads in world football.
The former England international praised Spain’s blend of youthful talent and technical quality, arguing that the team has the potential to surprise many observers if it builds momentum during the competition.
Owen’s predictions come as football analysts and former players continue to debate which nations are best positioned to challenge for the title. Traditional powerhouses such as Argentina, France, Brazil, England, Germany, and Spain are all among the teams being tipped for deep runs in the tournament.
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, are also viewed as serious contenders. However, Owen believes Argentina enter the competition with a slight advantage because of their proven ability to perform on the biggest stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to be one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history, with 48 teams taking part for the first time.
As the competition gets underway, fans will soon discover whether Owen’s favourite and dark horse selections can live up to expectations.
— Newspot Nigeria
