Messi names Brazil, France and England as main candidates for the World Cup title

Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine national team and current world champion, gave a recent exclusive interview on Miami. The star surprised by listing Brasil, França and

The statement was made during a promotional event in the city where the player plays for Inter Miami. Messi adopted a cautious stance regarding the next Mundial, which will feature an expanded format for 48 teams, avoiding positioning Argentina itself as the only favorite.

He recognized the potential of his rivals, even after winning the title in 2022 at Catar. The Argentine star focused his praise on the three countries, highlighting the growth of other teams on the world football scene.

Messi Analysis of Top Competitors

The Argentine player openly praised the high technical level of the teams he identified as candidates for the title. Suas words highlight the strength and depth of these teams’ squads, which stand out on the global stage.

“Brasil has incredible players, França reached two finals in a row and Inglaterra has a very strong and promising squad”, stated Messi. Ele also made a point of recognizing that the competition will be even more competitive with the new format of the tournament, which promises to increase unpredictability and challenge for all participants.

The power of the Brazilian cast highlighted

The Brazilian team continues to be one of the most respected and feared teams on the world football scene, according to analysis by Messi. The team, now under the command of Dorival Júnior, has a squad full of talents.

Players like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, who shine in big European clubs, are the main offensive references. Além of them, young promises like Endrick, who already shows immense potential, reinforce the team’s capacity for renewal and the promising future.

The search for a sixth world championship is an ambitious goal for the Brasil, after the elimination in the quarterfinals in the Copa of the Mundo in 2022. The country uses the Copa América 2024, which takes place in mid-2025, as a crucial preparation and testing phase for the Mundial in 2026, adjusting tactics and chemistry.

France seeks hegemony with champion base and Mbappé

França presents itself as one of the most consistent and dangerous selections for Copa of Mundo in 2026. The team counts on Kylian Mbappé as its main reference, a player capable of deciding matches with his speed and skill.

The French team was runner-up in 2022, losing the final to Argentina of Messi, and maintains a large part of the squad that won the title in 2018.

Didier Deschamps has remained in charge since 2012, offering stability and a well-established playing philosophy. The European country has built a recent tradition in Copa to Mundo finals, consolidating itself as a football power.

England invests in a talented and ambitious new generation

Inglaterra demonstrates a long-term project focused on the development of young talents, which is already bearing fruit on the international stage. The current generation is led by names like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, all with outstanding performances for their clubs and national team.

The English team reached the final of Eurocopa 2020 and reached the quarter-finals of Copa of Mundo 2022, showing continued growth. Coach Gareth Southgate has led the project since 2016, implementing a strategy that combines the experience of veteran players with the energy and potential of youth.

The English squad is known for its depth and versatility, with players capable of playing in different positions and tactical schemes. The quest for their first world title since 1966 is a great motivation for this talented team.

Details of the new format of the 2026 World Cup

The Copa of the 2026 Mundo will mark a historic change in the format of the tournament, which for the first time will feature 48 participating teams. Essa expansion aims to give more opportunities to countries on different continents, expanding football’s global representation.

The competition will be organized into 12 groups, each consisting of four teams, ensuring a more compact and intense group stage. The top two in each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, which begins with a new stage of 32 teams.

The tournament final already has a defined date and location: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, located in Nova Jersey, in the Estados Unidos. Este new format promises more games, more teams and an even more unpredictable and exciting competition for football fans around the world, redefining preparation strategies and the dynamics of the tournament.

Crucial steps in preparing for the World Cup

The main teams, including Brasil, França and Inglaterra, use the 2024 continental tournaments, such as Copa América and Eurocopa, as fundamental tests. Estas competitions serve to adjust tactics, observe new talents and consolidate team chemistry.

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Esses tournaments are important showcases for players and crucial moments for coaches to define their strategies and the squads they will take to the biggest stage in world football. The three teams invest heavily in renewing and improving their squads, aiming for the best performance in the Mundial.

Recent history and rivalry between powers

Argentina defeated Copa from Mundo in 2022 in an exciting final against França, decided on penalties after an electrifying draw. Brasil, in turn, was eliminated by Croácia also on penalties, in the quarterfinals, demonstrating the high competitiveness of the knockout phase.

Inglaterra, another of the favorites mentioned by Messi, fell to França in the quarter-finals of the last Mundial, in a very competitive game. Essas Four teams, Argentina, Brasil, França and

Path to the draw and start of the tournament

The calendar until Copa of Mundo of 2026 is well defined, with the South American qualifiers following a strict schedule until October 2025.

Fifa will hold the group draw in December 2025, an event that generates great expectations and defines the first matches of the tournament. Finalmente, the ball rolls for the start of Copa of Mundo on June 11, 2026, marking the beginning of another chapter in the history of world football.