Romario Names Six 2026 World Cup Favourites — And England Are Not One of Them

Romário, the Brazilian striker who helped his country claim the 1994 FIFA World Cup title and ranks among the top ten highest-scoring legends in football history, has offered a candid assessment of the upcoming tournament — and Gareth Southgate’s former side, now under Thomas Tuchel, did not make the cut.

Speaking to The Guardian, the former striker identified six nations he believes are most capable of lifting the trophy this summer: France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, and Brazil. Notably, Romário placed Brazil last among his six selections, acknowledging that five nations currently rank above the five-time world champions in his estimation.

“England are a good team, but I see the other sides as better,” Romário said. “I like Harry Kane, [Jude] Bellingham and [Bukayo] Saka. They’re smart players, with great technique, who make a difference. They might cause a bit of a stir, but I wouldn’t put them among the favourites. My favourites are France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, and Brazil.”

Despite the praise directed at individual English players, Romário was unambiguous in his position: England remain outside the conversation when it comes to genuine title contenders, in his view. The assessment is a notable one given England’s squad depth and the quality of their forward line heading into the North American tournament.

Thomas Tuchel, appointed as England head coach in January 2024, has inherited a group that includes Kane, who scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich last season — a figure that underscores his status as one of the most lethal strikers in world football. Bellingham, operating from midfield at Real Madrid, and Arsenal winger Saka have also been central figures for the national side in recent campaigns.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 nations, expanding from the previous format of 32 teams. The expanded field adds complexity to any predictions, with more opportunities for lower-ranked sides to cause upsets in the group stage.

Romário’s exclusion of England will add fuel to an ongoing debate surrounding the nation’s World Cup credentials. England reached the final of Euro 2020 — played in 2021 — and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but have not won a major international tournament since their 1966 World Cup triumph on home soil. The 60-year wait for a second major title remains a significant piece of historical context surrounding any discussion of England’s prospects.

While Romário’s remarks represent a personal opinion rather than an analytical forecast, his standing in Brazilian football — and his firsthand experience of winning a World Cup — lends weight to his perspective. Whether England can prove him wrong when the tournament kicks off remains to be seen.