Former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri has identified Spain, France, and England as the leading contenders to challenge Argentina for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, alongside the reigning champions.
Speaking to BOLA VIP, Ruggeri highlighted the strength of individual talent within these nations’ squads, though he expressed some reservations about their cohesion as teams. “For me, Spain, France, and England — I see very good players in them, I’m not sure about them as a unit — but I will still put them in,” he said.
The veteran defender also acknowledged the historical resilience of Germany, noting their tendency to perform strongly as tournaments progress. “The Germans. We get frustrated, but somehow, they might not show much early on, and then you see them among the top four,” Ruggeri added. He also suggested that Brazil could improve ahead of the competition.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams. Argentina, the current defending champions after their victory in Qatar four years ago, will aim to retain the trophy amid growing competition from European and South American rivals.
Ruggeri’s assessment reflects the evolving landscape of international football, where traditional powerhouses and emerging talents alike are vying for global supremacy. With the tournament set for the summer of 2026, teams will have limited time to refine their strategies and address any weaknesses before the world’s most prestigious football event.
