Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has predicted France to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, praising their speed, depth and momentum under Kylian Mbappe’s leadership. However, he believes Spain are the only team capable of stopping the defending champions, citing their superior technical ability and collective style of play.

London [UK], July 9: Former Arsenal manager and current FIFA chief of global football development Arsene Wenger made a prediction that Kylian Mbappe-led France will be winning the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 and feels that if any team is capable of stopping them, it is the 2010 champions Spain, who he feels are at a better place "technically" than the two-time champions.

France will continue their dominant FIFA World Cup run against Morocco in the quarter-final, with the match being a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, which saw the journey of the African nation ending. On the other hand, Spain will be taking on 2018 bronze medallists Belgium, boasting of names like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtois.

Wenger has thrown his support to France lifting the trophy for the third time after witnessing their performances so far, which have been dominant except for a narrow 1-0 win in a highly physical match against Paraguay in the round of 16. Wenger feels that France's "speed" and momentum will make things difficult for their rivals, and they would be hard to match.

The Arsenal legend, 76, said on 'Felix and Toni Kroos Podcast' as quoted by Goal.com, "France will win the World Cup. I know you are going to say it is because I am French. But when you analyse the tournament a bit, the train is moving at a certain speed today. And you have to be capable of getting on board that train."