Angel Di Maria tips France, Spain and Portugal as 2026 FIFA World Cup favourites

Angel Di Maria has offered his assessment of the 2026 FIFA World Cup title race, pointing to France, Spain and Portugal as the three nations best positioned to lift the trophy — notably leaving out his own country, Argentina, from his list of favourites.

The 38-year-old, who retired from international football following Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, shared his views in an interview with Ballon d’Or. Di Maria was a central figure in that tournament, scoring in the final as Argentina defeated France to claim their third world title.

Of the three sides he identified, Di Maria placed particular emphasis on France, citing their sustained ability to develop world-class talent across generations. “France is a strong contender because they consistently produce top talent and maintain a high standard,” he said.

Spain also featured prominently in the former Real Madrid winger’s analysis. Di Maria acknowledged the European side’s recent form while flagging fitness concerns within their squad as a potential complicating factor. “I believe Spain could also establish itself; they are performing well, although we will need to monitor the status of some injured players,” he explained.

Portugal rounded out Di Maria’s trio of contenders, with the Argentine highlighting the creative influence of their younger midfield talents under coach Roberto Martínez. “Portugal is another team with quality players. With João Neves and Vitinha, who add a unique flair to the game and can make a significant impact,” he added.

Di Maria also acknowledged a broader shift in the competitive landscape of international football, suggesting the field of genuine title contenders has widened. “Recently, several teams have entered the fray thanks to emerging players. There are three or four teams that will be in the running,” he said.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in Qatar. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026. The expanded format introduces a group stage of 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and eight best third-placed sides advancing to a round of 32.

Argentina, the defending champions, enter the tournament as one of the pre-tournament favourites alongside the nations Di Maria named. Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to glory in 2022 and claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award, is expected to feature in what would likely be his final World Cup appearance. France, who lost that 2022 final on penalties after a dramatic comeback, will be among the sides looking to go one step further under Didier Deschamps.