Arsene Wenger has named France as his super favorites to win the 2026 World Cup as he backed England to challenge for the trophy.
The former Arsenal manager was speaking ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Wenger is now FIFA’s head of global football development.
The Frenchman backed his native country to lift the trophy next summer. He singled out their offensive depth as a deciding factor.
“I try to be as objective as possible, but France are super favorites for a reason: they have more world-class strikers than any other country,” Wenger said.
The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams. It will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
France reached the finals of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. They won the tournament in Russia six years ago.
Wenger also tipped England to mount a serious challenge. The Three Lions have come close in recent tournaments without claiming silverware.
“England are one of the favorites for the World Cup – they are always close. They have the quality to do it,” Wenger said.
England reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2018. They finished runners-up at the last two European Championships.
Wenger defended the expansion to 48 teams from 32. He called it the right number for the competition.
“I think 48 teams is the right number,” the 76-year-old explained. “The teams are not there by chance because they have been invited.”
The World Cup draw will take place on Friday at 17:00 GMT. The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four.
