PEKANBARU – The Chairman of the Riau Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Kaderismanto, has expressed his belief that three nations remain the strongest favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to him, France, Argentina, and Brazil continue to be the teams most likely to lift the trophy in the world’s biggest football tournament.

Kaderismanto explained that these three countries still boast a wealth of star players who are currently shining at the highest level of world football. The presence of experienced and talented players, he said, is a major advantage in their pursuit of the championship.

Speaking about France, he highlighted the presence of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, who he believes remain the core strength of Les Bleus. Both players, in his view, have the capability to lead France to once again dominate on the world stage.

Meanwhile, Brazil is also seen as a strong contender, especially after appointing Carlo Ancelotti as their head coach. In addition, the presence of Vinícius Júnior is considered one of the main assets for the Seleção as they prepare for the fierce competition at the 2026 World Cup.

As for Argentina, Kaderismanto believes the reigning champions still command great respect. He noted that Lionel Messi’s presence would continue to have a major influence on the team, even though the player is no longer in his youth.

The politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) added that the 2026 World Cup would be more exciting due to the increase in the number of participating teams compared to previous editions. This expansion, he said, opens up opportunities for underdog teams to surprise and exceed expectations.

“With more participants, the tournament will be even more interesting. The chances for other countries to break through are also quite high,” he remarked.

In addition to his three top picks, Kaderismanto also mentioned that Portugal and Spain deserve to be considered serious contenders. Portugal still has the inspirational figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, while Spain is widely recognised for its excellent player development system.

From Asia, Kaderismanto pointed out Japan and South Korea as two nations with the potential to spring surprises. He noted that both countries have shown significant progress in football over the past few years, making them teams to watch in the 2026 World Cup.