Who Should/Will Win the World Cup?

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

I've been keeping up with a few teams, but I don't really favor anyone to win ever since Netherlands got knocked out. In y'all's opinion, who should win the World Cup and why? I'd be interested to learn anything new about soccer, as it's my favorite sport. Also, do y'all have any favorite players, and if so, why?

[SpiritOfWrath he/him]

1 hour ago, NeverTrustAesSedai said:

I've been keeping up with a few teams, but I don't really favor anyone to win ever since Netherlands got knocked out. In y'all's opinion, who should win the World Cup and why? I'd be interested to learn anything new about soccer, as it's my favorite sport. Also, do y'all have any favorite players, and if so, why?

Hhhmmm

France

Bc my sister is enamored with anything French and also they are apparently favored to win pretty significantly (i thought I saw a 16% win chance, while the average is ~2-3%)

im not biased

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

France is definitely a strong one. Mbappe is up there with Messi for most goals this World Cup (although Messi just scored another one). Any favorite players?

[SpiritOfWrath he/him]

14 minutes ago, NeverTrustAesSedai said:

France is definitely a strong one. Mbappe is up there with Messi for most goals this World Cup (although Messi just scored another one). Any favorite players?

Not really

*shrug*

[ParaTulip fae/faer (declines as she/her)]

I am morally saying Iran. They have had a terrible and senseless tragedy wrought upon their nation. To triumph over their foe in a peaceful game would be a fitting outcome.

Now, I have not been watching the dang sportball, so someone might tell me they are already not able to win.

[Qianweilian He/him]

1 hour ago, ParaTulip said:

Now, I have not been watching the dang sportball, so someone might tell me they are already not able to win.

Iran has been eliminated

[ParaTulip fae/faer (declines as she/her)]

38 minutes ago, Qianweilian said:

Iran has been eliminated

Truly, there is no justice.

[Qianweilian He/him]

1 minute ago, ParaTulip said:

Truly, there is no justice.

I don't really see how beating a team filled with players who had nothing to do with that incident would be justice for the people killed and lives ruined.

[ParaTulip fae/faer (declines as she/her)]

1 minute ago, Qianweilian said:

I don't really see how beating a team filled with players who had nothing to do with that incident would be justice for the people killed and lives ruined.

It would be symbolic justice. Which is a pathetic justice, but still, something.

[Lord Stormer]

I've been choosing sides since the 2010 World Cup and since the 2021 Euros I'm a England sympathizer. The Netherlands was some kind of a 2nd option but the Round of 32 loss wasn't much of a surprise. In less than 12 hours England will face Mexico in the Estadio Azteca (7,000 ft+ of altitude!), so I can only hope they can hold their breath (literally).

The supercomputers have been unusually consistent the most likely final is a repeat of the last - Argentina vs. France, but for some reason I'm averse to France winning the title (sorry SpiritOfWrath or anyone French!). Favorites other than the two are Brazil, Spain, or Portugal, but don't cross out dark horses Morocco and the USA.

Say the words - IT'S COMING HOME

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

6 minutes ago, Lord Stormer said:

I've been choosing sides since the 2010 World Cup and since the 2021 Euros I'm a England sympathizer. The Netherlands was some kind of a 2nd option but the Round of 32 loss wasn't much of a surprise. In less than 12 hours England will face Mexico in the Estadio Azteca (7,000 ft+ of altitude!), so I can only hope they can hold their breath (literally).

The supercomputers have been unusually consistent the most likely final is a repeat of the last - Argentina vs. France, but for some reason I'm averse to France winning the title (sorry SpiritOfWrath or anyone French!). Favorites other than the two are Brazil, Spain, or Portugal, but don't cross out dark horses Morocco and the USA.

Say the words - IT'S COMING HOME

England is a great team. That being said, if Netherlands and England traded round of 32 opponents, Netherlands would have made it for sure (which makes me even more sad about their loss).

I read recently that Erling Haaland, a Norwegian player considered by some the best striker in the world, was eligible to play for England if he wanted to. That guy alongside Harry Kane...terrifying. Fortunately for the rest of the world, he only wanted to play for Norway. He's playing Brazil later today, and supposed to lose - but with a guy like Haaland, you never know. The number of almost-upsets in this tournament has been crazy; I'd like it if Norway can pull off an actual upset.

First Ideal of American soccer fans: USA before France, USA before Spain, USA before Argentina. IT'S COMING HOME

[Mint11 she/her]

On 7/4/2026 at 8:29 AM, Qianweilian said:

I don't really see how beating a team filled with players who had nothing to do with that incident would be justice for the people killed and lives ruined.

I think it'd just be a nice thing for the iranians. it wouldn't fix anything and certainly wouldn't make up for it. its just wishing a little extra joy their way, yknow?

 

anyways, I'd say argentina. maybe morocco. I'd also be happy with england. no logic because we are ride or die here like true sports fans lol. its just fun rooting for people. I have reasons I guess but they're personal, not objective

[Mystic He/Him]

Norway.

Its basically European Alaska, and I have a lot more state pride than national pride 

Also the absolute havoc Haaland wrecks would be fun to see.

That said, I don’t play soccer, I have a very peripheral view of it, and it does not matter to me very much. So Norway would be cool but I ultimately don’t care that much

[Ink and Embers Any pronouns]

I'm trying to avoid the World Cup but in the spirit of patriotism, go England!

Other than that, I would be extremely happy if Norway won the Cup (and they beat Brazil, which is crazy!)

[NeverTrustAesSedai He/Him]

1 hour ago, Ink and Embers said:

I'm trying to avoid the World Cup but in the spirit of patriotism, go England!

Other than that, I would be extremely happy if Norway won the Cup (and they beat Brazil, which is crazy!)

Yeah, Norway vs Brazil was pretty amazing. My favorite teams are Netherlands (because of Dutch heritage), Norway (because of Norwegian heritage), USA (because I live here), and England (because they're cool and I have British friends). As of now, two of my teams are dead and one of them is going to knock out the other in Norway vs. England. 

I'm kind of mad at Morocco for knocking out my favorite, but I guess getting out in the Round of 32 isn't so bad if they turn out to be the world champions, so go Morocco, I suppose.

What do y'all think about America vs Belgium? That game was totally winnable in my opinion, we just weren't playing our best.