Joe Hart: England. But I am not actually that bothered whether I am right or wrong. I just like to back my people and I want England to do it.
Martin Keown: Looking at the draw, there will be some absolute blockbuster quarter-finals if the favourites win their groups, like England versus Brazil and Argentina against Portugal – or Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Is this the hardest World Cup there has ever been to win? Maybe. It feels very open. My head is telling me the best team is France, my heart is telling me that it could be England.
Paul Robinson: The only thing that stops France from winning it is France. They will need a harmonious dressing room.
Pat Nevin: This is a guess, but England have a real chance. Along with France, they are my favourites and it’s a toss-up between the two as to who will win it.
I also wouldn’t be shocked if we get a left-field winner this time, and Morocco are the ones who jump out at me, because I covered most of their games when they reached the last four in Qatar. From what I hear, they might be better now than they were then – and they were great then. They will be used to the heat too, which always helps.
Ellen White: Well, obviously I want England to win it. That’s what I am going with, but if that wasn’t to happen then France have a very good squad.
Tony Pulis: It’s ridiculous that there are 48 teams, and 40 more games than last time. Fair play to all the countries that are going, everyone will enjoy it, but football at this level is now being used as a cash cow.
I’ve got Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Senegal as my quarter-finalists. My pick to win it? France.
Chris Sutton: Spain are an outstanding team but I’ve gone for France to win the past two World Cups and I wasn’t far wrong. I am not going to change my mind now – they didn’t really click at the last Euros but I look at their frontline and think they will be hard to stop.
Who will win the 2026 World Cup? Total votes
France (9): Scott Brown, Gael Clichy, Rachel Corsie, Olivier Giroud, Danny Murphy, Paul Robinson, Tony Pulis, Alan Shearer & Chris Sutton
England (7): Thomas Frank, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Martin Keown, Wayne Rooney, Sue Smith & Ellen White
Spain (1): Micah Richards
