France?

Creating a World Cup-winning side is all about balance. And as a disciplined "water-carrier" defensive midfielder who won the tournament in 1998, and as a cautious manager who won it again in 2018, Didier Deschamps knows this better than most. This world cup his France team feel more attack-minded than usual. And yet, ominously, their defensive record remains excellent...

I think he's the ultimate football chess grandmaster!

I mean, Deschamps' pragmatism has drawn some criticism over the years for being "boring" or conservative, but results speak!!

But in 2026 there's been an evolving of the philosophy....

With his 'Fab Four Attackers" Deschamps has gone full throttle....

You have Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and the rotating fourth (Barcola/Doué/Thuram). This isn't the "tiki-taka" poetry of Spain. It's relentless, direct, transition terror — clinical in front of goal while the midfield and defence (Saliba-Upamecano wall) do all the dirty work.

Opponents are getting shredded... and France keep posting clean sheets. While everyone else is still warming up, you got France already in it's endgame mode!

The rest of these countries are just playing for second place right now. And this feels like peak "Les Bleus destiny" — clinical, terrifying, and balanced to perfection!

It is a rare confluence of elite individual talent and a rigid, championship-winning culture. There is a cold, calculated efficiency to how they are dismantling teams here....

Maybe Argentina again??

If Deschamps as the "chess grandmaster," then Argentina under Lionel Scaloni has become the master of tournament endurance.

If they were to meet, it would be the ultimate clash of ideologies with the clinical efficiency of the French collective versus the Irrational confidence of a team that simply refuses to let their icon bow out quietly.


My England??

Probably not but under Tuchel England has shown remarkable grit but it would still be a remarkable feat for us to get to the finale!!

But if they did coming up against France would be an England side that has consistently found ways to win high-pressure, physical encounters would provide a quiet difficult test for France.

Switzerland, Belguim and the Erling Haaland rowers?

Well I wouldn't write them off completely.

Switzerland, Belgium and Norway have all earned their places in the quarter-finals, and knockout football has a habit of producing surprises.That said, I'd still have the pecking order as.....

1 France
2 Argentina
3 Spain
4 England
5 Belgium
6 Norway
7 Switzerland

Belgium have the individual quality to hurt anyone. Norway have been the tournament's surprise package and have already knocked out Brazil. Switzerland are exceptionally organised and difficult to break down.

But if you're asking who I'd expect to lift the trophy, I'd still say France are the team everyone has to beat. Any of those bottom three winning it would be a genuine upset.

Go the upset I say - hopefully Frenchs wheels fall off when not expected.
For the sake of football haha

NicCarBel said:

I think the difference is between a large majority of them being based outside of Morocco throughout their lives. The only one in our current squad that really fits that ideaology (spelling?) is Souttar. Boyle would be in the same boat probably as well.

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I've lived most of my life in Australia and was born here. Only lived less than 2 years as a kid in Portugal (where my love for football started). I don't feel any less Portuguese because of that. Most of my family is in Portugal. I don't feel more Portuguese or more Australian. Gone are the days where people should be made to pick one over the other. I'd happily represent either nation if I was good enough. Important word is IF.

What I know of the FIFA rules (grandparents, birthplace, citizen of that country for 5 years) works perfectly for me. We've had a strong Moroccan team because of these rules have allowed it which means more competitiveness on the pitch. Do we really want these players sitting at home watching the WC? I'd rather watch them playing.

theFOOTBALLlover said:

I've lived most of my life in Australia and was born here. Only lived less than 2 years as a kid in Portugal (where my love for football started). I don't feel any less Portuguese because of that. Most of my family is in Portugal. I don't feel more Portuguese or more Australian. Gone are the days where people should be made to pick one over the other. I'd happily represent either nation if I was good enough. Important word is IF.

What I know of the FIFA rules (grandparents, birthplace, citizen of that country for 5 years) works perfectly for me. We've had a strong Moroccan team because of these rules have allowed it which means more competitiveness on the pitch. Do we really want these players sitting at home watching the WC? I'd rather watch them playing.

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If you say this about the Moroccan ones then you can’t get mad about the ones that reject us.

If anything it tells Moroccan kids that the only way they’ll ever fulfil their dreams is by being an immigrant in Europe.

Got to feel for Courtois

JS96 said:

It's a fair argument you make at the end. Spread the talent. I like it when you've got the odd player improving a nation but Morocco and Indonesia have gone wild on this lately and the teams are near unrecognisable from the battling local talent teams they used to have.

Much worse however is Brazilians playing for China or the UAE.

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It's become almost as ridiculous as the associate level of international cricket where half the countries below the Test playing nations are full of teams comprising of South Asian players.

As a lifelong fan of that game, I refuse to watch the European league for that reason.

Having watched that Rexona add so much you just have to wonder how that was pitched to Pulisic. i.e. You're not going to let us down just like Rexona won't let you down.

Now it plays as Pulisic will let you down - but Rexona won't. Did he realise he was getting trolled?

HonestSpursFan said:

If you say this about the Moroccan ones then you can’t get mad about the ones that reject us.

If anything it tells Moroccan kids that the only way they’ll ever fulfil their dreams is by being an immigrant in Europe.

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I’m not bad at anyone. Players are free to choose who they present. They are Moroccan kids too.

JS96 said:

These late round eliminations are so abrupt and a lot of players seem disinterested and are glad to have a holiday before club football resumes.

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Their clubs are certainly pleased.

JS96 said:

These late round eliminations are so abrupt and a lot of players seem disinterested and are glad to have a holiday before club football resumes.

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The 48 team version has really hampered the momentum of the World Cup in my opinion.

Something needs to be done at these governing bodies because there are just too many matches now in a regular season and the football is suffering for it.

JS96 said:

These late round eliminations are so abrupt and a lot of players seem disinterested and are glad to have a holiday before club football resumes.

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Do you have a example? I'm not disagreeing just want to see