2002 World Cup winner Ricardo Kaka reveals his four favorite national teams to win the 2026 tournament

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, several national teams have already punched their tickets to the tournament. While others await confirmation, 2002 World Cup champion Ricardo Kaka has identified four frontrunners for the title, even though only two have qualified so far.

The race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is heating up, with 28 of the 48 national teams already securing their spots. CONMEBOL nations are emerging as potential powerhouses, while England stand as the sole UEFA team to have qualified so far. With numerous national teams still vying for a chance, 2002 World Cup champion Ricardo Kaka has boldly shared his picks for favorites to win the tournament.

“I really believe in our national team. I consider Brazil one of the favorites. I hope they win the championship. I hope Brazil brings home the Hexa. As for favorites, I think Spain is a very strong team, Yamal is on a huge roll, with very talented young players. France is an excellent team, it’s not new, it’s been around for many years with the same team, coach, it was world champion, it reached another final. Argentina too, without a doubt, the current champion,” Kaka said, via ESPN.

Although they have not yet secured their direct place, France and Spain remain clear protagonists in UEFA tournaments in recent years, winning the 2025 Nations League and 2024 Euro, respectively. Both national teams boast standout players such as Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal, among other that make them strong favorites. It makes perfect sense that they were chosen by Kaka.

Argentina, likewise, are in impressive form, winning consistently in recent years with a squad that continues to renew itself. With Lionel Messi performing at a high level and several young players shining, they also feature prominently in Kaka’s ranking. However, the inclusion of Brazil came as a surprise. They are not in their best form and have not won this tournament for years, with several uncertainties remaining, even in their squad selection.

With Argentina and Brazil already in, what do Spain and France need to do to reach the 2026 World Cup?

France and Spain continue to dominate the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, maintaining their undefeated streak and positioning themselves strongly for tournament qualification. On November 15, Lamine Yamal’s national team can clinch its spot with a victory over Georgia. To secure the top spot in its group, a win against Turkey on November 18 becomes crucial.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s national team faces Ukraine on November 13, needing a win to ensure its tournament berth. A subsequent victory over Azerbaijan on November 16 is essential for France to claim the group leader position. Both national teams are on course for qualification, undoubtedly positioning them as formidable contenders for the title, given their impressive performances in recent years.