SURABAYA – Persebaya legend Muharom Rusdiana has named Brazil as his top pick to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the team’s strong European-based squad and the tactical brilliance of head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
His prediction has added excitement among football fans across Indonesia as they gear up for the biggest sporting event in history, which will feature 48 nations for the first time.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Although Indonesia will not participate in the tournament, local football enthusiasts remain captivated by the global four-yearly spectacle. Muharom Rusdiana, one of Persebaya’s legendary figures, also shares in this excitement, believing that the upcoming World Cup will be particularly engaging.
Discussing the competition’s dynamics, Rusdiana noted that major footballing nations such as Spain, Argentina, France, Brazil, and the Netherlands are unlikely to face major challenges in the early stages of the competition.
“But my bet is on Brazil,” said Muharom Rusdiana in an interview on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Brazil stands as the most successful national team in World Cup history, boasting five championship titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002).
This achievement surpasses both Germany and Italy, who have each secured four World Cup titles.
Brazil also holds the distinction of being the only nation to have qualified for every edition of the tournament since its inception in 1930, never missing a single finals appearance.
In addition to their five titles, the Seleção have finished as runners-up twice (1950 and 1998), claimed third place twice (1938 and 1978), and finished fourth on two occasions (1974 and 2014).
Beyond Brazil’s storied history, Muharom Rusdiana cited several current factors that make the South American giants his favourites for the 2026 title.
“Brazil has a lot of top-tier players currently playing in Europe’s Serie A,” Rusdiana explained.
Another major reason behind his prediction is the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, who will manage Brazil during the World Cup.
“Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is a master tactician. They qualified perfectly through the pre-World Cup rounds,” he concluded.
In the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, Brazil will compete in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.
