Senior Persis Solo defender Eky Taufik has expressed his excitement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
As a professional footballer, Eky admitted that he always looks forward to the quadrennial tournament, which he considers the ultimate stage for the world’s top players to showcase their quality.
According to him, the World Cup consistently delivers high-level matches rarely seen in other competitions.
“As someone involved in football, I’m very enthusiastic about the 2026 World Cup. It will be thrilling to watch the top players and stars from around the world in action,” Eky Taufik told Tribunnews.com on Thursday (4 June 2026).
When asked which nation he believes will lift the trophy, Eky mentioned two countries he feels have the strongest chance of going all the way to the final.
The long-serving Persis Solo player tipped Brazil and France as the leading contenders for the 2026 World Cup title.
“My favourites for the 2026 World Cup are Brazil and France,” said Eky.
He even predicted that these two footballing powerhouses would face each other in the final match.
In his view, both Brazil and France possess deep squads filled with world-class talent performing at their peak.
“My prediction for the final is France versus Brazil,” he added.
Beyond forecasting the finalists, Eky also shared his thoughts on players who could shine throughout the tournament.
One player he is particularly eager to watch is French forward Ousmane Dembele.
Eky is curious to see whether Dembele’s impressive form with Paris Saint-Germain will continue when he represents his country on the World Cup stage.
“The player I’m most looking forward to seeing is Ousmane Dembele. He helped PSG win both the league and the Champions League, so I’m interested to see if he can replicate that success for France or if his brilliance is limited to the club level,” he explained.
Eky also believes that Brazil’s Vinicius Junior has a strong chance of emerging as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
He noted that Vinicius’ combination of speed, creativity, and top-level experience makes him, alongside Dembele, a serious candidate for the 2026 World Cup’s brightest star.
“In my opinion, the two players most likely to become stars at the 2026 World Cup are Vinicius Junior and Ousmane Dembele,” he concluded.
France and Brazil remain two of the world’s footballing giants and are both considered among the top favourites for the title.
According to data from Opta, France have an estimated 13 percent chance of winning, placing them second behind Spain. Brazil, meanwhile, sit around 6.6 percent, just outside the top five.
France are grouped in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, and are heavily favoured to advance as group winners.
Under Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus boast remarkable squad depth, with Kylian Mbappe leading the attack, supported by young talents such as Ousmane Dembele and William Saliba.
With back-to-back final appearances in 2018 and 2022, France are expected to be formidable in the knockout stages and are widely predicted to reach at least the semifinals or the final again.
Meanwhile, Brazil are placed in Group C with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. They are also expected to top their group, although Morocco could provide some resistance.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, the Selecao rely heavily on the pace and flair of Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, and Rodrygo.
However, analysts point out that the team lacks balance in midfield and has yet to develop optimal chemistry. Many predict that Brazil may find it difficult to progress beyond the semifinals.
Overall, France are currently seen as the stronger candidate compared to Brazil to claim their third World Cup title.
The 2026 World Cup will also mark the first edition featuring 48 participating nations.
With more teams involved, the battle for the championship is expected to be fiercer than ever before.
It will be fascinating to see whether Eky Taufik’s prediction of a France versus Brazil final comes true when the 2026 World Cup gets underway.
