World Cup 2026 prediction

I’ve been out of the country for the last few weeks; not so remote that I was completely unaware of developments at home, alas, but sufficiently distant that the news I did catch didn’t impinge on my sense of wellbeing too much.

I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to maintain that contented detachment now that I’ve returned, but I’ve been trying to ease myself back into the alarming reality of contemporary life by contemplating the possible outcomes of the World Cup.

Of course I can’t be bothered doing the research into the recent form of the 48 teams in the tournament that would be required for any sort of informed forecast for the 72 group stage games, and I don’t really understand how the seeding works for the knockout rounds, so I have no clue when the favourites are likely to meet up.

Nevertheless I’ll confidently go for a last four of France, Spain, Germany and Argentina, and France to win.