Report by TribunJatim.com journalist, Khairul Amin

SURABAYA – Persebaya legend Muharom Rusdiana has named Brazil as his top pick to win the 2026 World Cup.

Muharom believes that the Brazilian national team has a high-quality squad, featuring many players who currently play in top European leagues.

Another factor behind his optimism is the presence of Carlo Ancelotti, whom he regards as an experienced coach and a master tactician.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This edition will be the largest in the tournament’s history.

For the first time ever, the competition will be hosted in three countries and will feature 48 participating national teams, an increase from the previous 32.

The Persebaya Surabaya legend expects the 2026 World Cup competition to be intensely contested.

According to Muharom, countries with a strong footballing tradition such as Spain, Argentina, France, the Netherlands, and Brazil are unlikely to face major difficulties in the early stages of the tournament.

“But my pick is Brazil,” said Muharom Rusdiana in an interview with TribunJatim.com on Thursday (June 4, 2026).

Among several top contenders, he believes Brazil stands out with distinct advantages.

Brazil remains the most successful national team in World Cup history, boasting five championship titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002).

This achievement surpasses Germany and Italy, both of which have won the trophy four times.

Brazil also holds the remarkable record as the only nation to have qualified for every World Cup final round since the tournament’s inception in 1930.

In addition to their five titles, Brazil has finished as runners-up twice (1950 and 1998).

They also claimed third place twice, in the 1938 and 1978 editions of the tournament.

Moreover, Brazil finished fourth in 1974 and 2014.

Beyond their illustrious past, Muharom Rusdiana has other reasons for backing Brazil as the favourite to win the 2026 World Cup.

“Brazil has many players from Serie A in European leagues,” Muharom Rusdiana stated firmly.

He also pointed to the leadership of Brazil’s coach for the 2026 World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti.

“Coach Ancelotti is a tactical expert. They qualified for the World Cup flawlessly,” he concluded.

In the 2026 World Cup group stage, Brazil has been drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.