Benitez Names Four Favorites for 2026 World Cup

Rafa Benitez, the former manager of Real Madrid and Liverpool, identified France, Spain, Germany, and England as the four favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for the summer. In an interview with La Gazzetta, Benitez emphasized France's remarkable array of talent, noting that they could even leave players like Ousmane Dembélé and Barcola at home.

He praised Spain for its young talents, including Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, alongside a strong midfield featuring Pedri and Rodri. Benitez acknowledged Germany's historical significance in the competition and mentioned England's promising players such as Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice.

He asserted that the depth of talent in these teams makes them formidable contenders for the upcoming tournament.