The biggest football tournament on the planet, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is just around the corner.

Taking place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the excitement surrounding this global competition has already spread to the dressing rooms of professional players in Indonesia.

During the domestic league break, Bali United’s young defender, Kadek Arel Priyatna, shared his detailed tactical analysis and professional insights regarding the competitive landscape of the 23rd edition of the tournament, which will make history with 48 participating nations.

As a defensive player, Arel’s focus lies on how young stars around the world handle the mental pressure of performing on football’s grandest stage.

Interestingly, the player under Johnny Jansen’s guidance has paid close attention to the tactical evolution of the French national team, along with the rising influence of Spain’s sensational wonderkids, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal.

For Kadek Arel, the 2018 champions and 2022 finalists, France, remain the most formidable force and are predicted to dominate the tournament in North America.

The depth of Didier Deschamps’ squad—featuring stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and powerhouse midfielders Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga—is viewed as tactically superior compared to their rivals.

France are scheduled to kick off their campaign in Group I against Senegal on June 16, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“For me, France will dominate this World Cup and emerge as champions,” Kadek Arel told Tribun Bali on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

However, alongside France’s dominance, Arel believes the spotlight for individual brilliance will belong to Spain’s young talents.

When asked about which player might explode or surprise during the tournament, Arel immediately named Barcelona’s prodigy, Lamine Yamal.

Considering Yamal’s consistent performances that have terrorised defences across Europe, this debut World Cup is expected to be his stage to prove his global status.

“It’s not really a surprise, but I think Lamine Yamal will show who he really is in this first World Cup,” said the Bali United centre-back.

As a professional defender, Kadek Arel also drew attention to the defensive side of the game, particularly focusing on Yamal’s Barcelona and Spain teammate, Pau Cubarsi.

Performance data shows that Cubarsi has recorded extraordinary passing accuracy in domestic competitions—reaching 99 percent against Espanyol and delivering 111 successful passes against Celta Vigo recently.

Cubarsi’s composure in building attacks from the back has become a point of admiration for Arel.

Arel admitted he is eager to see how the young defender, who recently helped Spain win Olympic gold in Paris, handles the immense psychological pressure at senior international level.

Spain have been drawn in Group H and will begin their campaign against Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

“I’m really curious to see Pau Cubarsi. In his first World Cup, I want to see how he deals with the pressure and how much he can dominate in his debut tournament,” Arel added.

The World Cup always brings a unique magical atmosphere for players and fans alike. Even as professionals, watching matches together every four years remains a cherished ritual to strengthen emotional bonds beyond the pitch.

Within the Bali United squad, Kadek Arel revealed that he often watches crucial matches with his close teammates, young stars Made Tito Wiratama and Komang Tri Arta Wiguna.

“Every four years, the World Cup is something we all look forward to,” he said.

“I often watch matches together with Made Tito and Komang Tri. If we have free time, we’ll definitely gather to watch together,” Arel concluded.

For the first time in history, the World Cup will adopt a new format featuring 48 participating nations divided into 12 groups. A total of 16 host cities across three countries are set to stage 104 matches in total.

Some of the iconic stadiums selected as venues include MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (USA), SoFi Stadium in California (USA), Akron Stadium in Guadalajara (Mexico), and BMO Field in Toronto (Canada).

The opening match is scheduled to take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, while the grand final will be held at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.