PONTIANAK – The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to deliver a fresh and more intense atmosphere. With the new format featuring a total of 48 participating nations, the tournament is expected to witness fiercer battles on the pitch.
According to the Chairperson of the Pontianak City Football Association (Askot PSSI), AKBP Lely Suheri, even though the number of participants has expanded, setting a new record in the tournament’s history, the overall balance of power in world football is unlikely to shift significantly from its traditional centres.
Lely highlighted that this edition is unique not only because of the record number of teams but also because it will be hosted across three neighbouring countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“The 2026 World Cup is unlike any before it. With 48 teams, it’s a record in history. Moreover, it will be jointly hosted by three countries,” Lely said in an interview on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Despite the expanded format, she believes that the football giants from the two dominant continents will continue to be formidable obstacles for the underdog teams aiming to pull off surprises.
“The competition will definitely be fierce. However, I believe two continents will continue to dominate — Latin America and Europe,” she stated calmly.
When asked which team has the strongest chance of lifting the golden trophy in the final, Lely confidently pointed to two South American powerhouses from the CONMEBOL region.
She emphasised that tradition and a long-standing history of success play a vital role when the tournament reaches its decisive stages.
Top Contenders: Brazil and Argentina.
Key Difference: Champion mentality on the world stage and squad depth.
“In every World Cup, these two nations are always among the favourites because of their history, tradition, and strong winning mentality,” she added.
Lely also observed that, in terms of individual talent, the quality among top footballing nations today is quite evenly distributed.
Nonetheless, she predicted that two young stars could emerge as the standout performers of the tournament.
“I predict two players will shine the brightest — Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal,” she concluded.
In line with those predictions, the Brazilian national team (Selecao), led by coach Dorival Junior, heads into the 2026 World Cup with a balanced mix of experienced players and promising young talents.
Here is the full official Brazil squad ready to chase their sixth world title:
Goalkeepers
Alisson Baker (Liverpool)
Ederson (Fenerbahce)
Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders
Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
Bremer (Juventus)
Danilo (Flamengo)
Douglas Santos (Zenit)
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Ibanez (Al Ahli)
Leo Pereira (Flamengo)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Wesley (AS Roma)
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Danilo (Botafogo)
Fabinho (Al Ittihad)
Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards
Endrick (Lyon)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Igor Thiago (Brentford)
Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
Neymar (Santos)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Rayan (Bournemouth)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Will the Pontianak PSSI Chairperson’s prediction prove accurate, with Brazil securing the championship on North American soil? We shall soon find out on the field. (*)
