Zabaleta picks Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil, England as 2026 World Cup contenders

Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has named Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil, and England as the five teams he believes can win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to Flashscore on March 27, 2026, Zabaleta expressed confidence that Argentina can defend the title won in Qatar, placing them alongside those four nations as genuine contenders. He noted that despite Lionel Messi being a few years older, the Argentine star remains capable of moments of pure magic. Zabaleta also highlighted Portugal as a team to watch closely and praised England’s form under new manager Thomas Tuchel, saying they are playing well and possess strong individual talent. The comments come as nations prepare for the expanded 48-team tournament scheduled for 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Nigerian football fans following the qualifiers and building early predictions, Zabaleta’s assessment offers a clear benchmark of which traditional powerhouses are seen as strongest heading into the competition. His emphasis on Messi’s enduring influence and Tuchel’s impact on England adds nuance to the usual favorites list, suggesting that experience and managerial change could be decisive factors. With these teams identified as frontrunners, which squad will you back for the 2026 World Cup, and will Messi’s experience or Tuchel’s England prove to be the X-factor?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/27/2026-world-cup-pablo-zabaleta-names-five-teams-that-can-win-trophy/