Since June 11, the 23rd World Cup held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico has been coming to a close. The semifinals (France – Spain, England – Argentina) are scheduled for July 14-15, and the third-place game and the final are set for July 19.
Each of the semifinalists is a titleholder. England became world champion in 1966, Argentina in 1978, 1986, and 2022, France in 1998 and 2018, and Spain in 2010.
There are four more winners from the previous 22 championships. Uruguay triumphed in 1930 and 1950; Italy in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006; Germany (West Germany) in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014; and Brazil in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
Italy did not qualify for the 23rd World Cup, Uruguay stayed in the group stage, Germany was eliminated in the round of 16, and Brazil was knocked out in the round of 32.
Thus, the 2026 World Cup will end with the victory of one of the previous champions. But which one? Will Argentina rejoice for the fourth time, France for the third, or will England or Spain celebrate their second championship?
Medianews.az-’s query answered by Mahir Rüstəmli, editor-in-chief of the "Futbol+" newspaper and Football-plus.az website, said:
"I know that the vast majority think France will be the champion. Then comes Spain. Argentina and England have roughly equal chances.
Personally, I want the England – Spain final to happen and for the creators of football, that is, England, to remain. We have already seen an Argentina – France final, so let a new final pair be written into the history of the World Cup.
On the other hand, England’s national team captain Harry Kane deserves to be world champion at least as much as Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi and France’s captain Julian Mbappe due to his loyalty to Tottenham club and football, and his gentlemanly image.
Spain’s national team striker Lamine Yamal is still a teenager and will have enough time ahead to fight for such titles."
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az