England football legend David Beckham has identified two nations he believes are capable of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star shared his insights ahead of the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Beckham Backs England and Japan
Beckham, who is the co-owner of Inter Miami, has thrown his weight behind England to finally end their long wait for a second World Cup title. He also highlighted Japan as a potential surprise package. Speaking to ANI, Beckham said: "I'm always going to say England especially because it's 60 years since we last won the World Cup, so it's about time we win again. It's never easy. There's always a surprise in a World Cup with either a player or a country that emerges. I think the Japanese team have got a really strong team — they could be kind of a secret."
Memorable World Cup Moments
Reflecting on his own World Cup experiences, Beckham revealed that captaining England at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan remains one of the most cherished moments of his career. He also recalled scoring his first World Cup goal for England against Colombia in 1998 on his mother's birthday. Beckham told Newsmill: "As far as I can remember back as a young kid, I've always been excited about World Cups. Scoring my first goal for England against Colombia in 1998 on my mum's birthday was a standout moment. Also, walking out as a captain of your country in a World Cup — that's my biggest and best memory. The responsibility is incredible. I was just proud to be in that position."
England's World Cup Drought
England are still waiting to end a 60-year drought since winning their only World Cup title in 1966. The Three Lions will be hoping to add a second crown at the 2026 tournament, which will feature an expanded format with 48 teams from six continents competing in a record 104 matches across North America.
Supercomputer Prediction
In related news, a supercomputer prediction from Opta has named Spain as the leading favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, followed by France, England, Argentina, and Portugal. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
