Ex-Argentina defender Ruggeri names Spain, France, England as 2026 World Cup top contenders
Former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri named Spain, France, and England as the top three contenders to win the 2026 World Cup, speaking to BOLA VIP earlier today. Ruggeri acknowledged Argentina as defending champions but highlighted these nations for their strong individual player quality, though he expressed uncertainty about their team cohesion.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in summer and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina won the previous tournament in Qatar in 2022, making them the team to beat. Ruggeri also noted Germany's tendency to perform well despite slow starts, and expressed confidence in Brazil's improvement ahead of the competition.
For Nigerian football fans, these assessments come as the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup—a point of frustration mentioned in related news. Understanding the perceived hierarchy of contenders helps contextualize the tournament Nigeria is missing and informs discussions about what it would take for the Super Eagles to reach that level.
With Ruggeri viewing Spain, France, and England as having the best individual talent but questioning their unity, which factor do you believe will be more decisive in 2026: exceptional player talent or team cohesion and chemistry?