World Cup Predictions

Kasey Keller's ssessment has stirred attention as he looks beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, focusing instead on a different set of contenders for the tournament. The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already filled with debate, and one of the most striking opinions comes from former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller. His assessment has stirred attention as he looks beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, focusing instead on a different set of contenders for the tournament. While both legends remain central to global soccer conversations, Keller believes the spotlight is shifting toward other nations. The American’s outlook is clear and direct when discussing the leading candidates for the trophy. He also expressed doubts about the traditional powerhouses led by Messi and Ronaldo, suggesting that their respective teams may struggle to match the intensity and depth of younger squads. His perspective reflects both experience and a cautious reading of current international form. “Can Ronaldo win the World Cup this summer? I don’t see Portugal winning the World Cup. I think they’re good. I look at a few teams. We look at the squad France has; if they get it together, then watch out. Obviously, Spain is very strong. I really like England’s squad-they have to be one of the favorites,” Keller said, via Tribal Football. Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring with Nico Williams. “I don’t see Argentina being able to repeat their success. With no expectations, can Brazil step up when they haven’t necessarily been playing well?” he added. “I personally look at Spain, France, and England. I just hope that with all this hype, it doesn’t become too much. We know English fans get a little excited when they start to have a bit of success,” he added. Why Argentina and Portugal are questioned Keller’s skepticism extends to the reigning champions and one of soccer’s most consistent contenders. He believes Argentina may struggle to defend its title, despite recent success and a strong squad identity. At the same time, Portugal faces similar doubts, with the 56-year-old openly questioning its ability to go all the way. The 2026 World Cup presents a unique contrast between experience and emerging talent. Messi, at 38, and Ronaldo, at 41, represent the last generation of global icons still competing at the highest level. Lionel Messi of Argentina shakes hands with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal Keller’s analysis suggests that while experience matters, the physical demands of the tournament may favor younger, more dynamic teams. This shift is a key factor in his prediction, as nations like France, England, and Spain continue to evolve. Emerging powers ready to challenge? The teams Keller highlights are not only talented but also structured for sustained success. Kylian Mbappe’s France, with its depth and balance, remains a constant threat, while England, led by Harry Kane, continues to build one of its strongest squads in recent years. Spain, too, is evolving with a new generation of players who blend technical ability with tactical intelligence, starring Lamine Yamal. Keller’s confidence in these teams reflects their consistency in international competitions and their ability to perform under pressure.

Matt Doyle and Tab Ramos are joined by USMNT legend and World Cup goal-scorer Clint Mathis for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most iconic eras in American soccer. Clint breaks down what made the 2002 U.S. team so special, shares the story behind his Sports Illustrated cover, and explains how his famous mohawk landed him in trouble. Tab reveals why Clint is his favorite American player of all time, and the group offers predictions for how the USMNT will finish at this year’s World Cup. They also dive into the latest headlines, including rumors surrounding Christian Pulisic’s potential move to Tottenham, Weston McKennie’s contract situation at Juventus, and Clint’s ideal Starting XI for the 2026 World Cup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are here with a new episode of State of the Union! Alexi hands out his 2025 USA soccer awards, including best player, best goal, and biggest surprise. He also hands out Mauricio Pochettino a grade for the year and dives into the 5 players who most improved their stock in 2025 and the players whose stock fell the most this year. In USA abroad, Alexi and Mosse discuss Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie’s strong form in Serie A, Jedi Robinson continuing a string of solid starts for Fulham and Brenden Aaronson’s Man of the Match performance. In #AskAlexi, we discuss what would constitute a disappointment for the USA in next Summer’s World Cup and debate who the best defenders in our pool are. In One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse share their thanks and a New Year’s message. Use our code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek: ⁠⁠https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU⁠⁠ Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30 discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro (0:00)Alexi's U.S. Stock Up (6:20)Alexi's U.S. Stock Down (11:53)U.S. POY & Pochettino Grade (22:07)2026 FIFA Word Cup Predictions (28:21)U.S. Abroad (39:33)#AskAlexi: Best Defenders in World? (51:35)One For The Road: Happy New Year! (60:31) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by Jen Cooper, member of the FOX Sports' research team for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA Men's World Cups, as they dive into all things USWNT and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The trio analyze the roster that Vlatko Andonovski will be taking to Australia & New Zealand. Any snubs? Any surprises? They also make sure to break down the toughest challengers toward USWNT's three-peat hopes and predict who they believe will win the FIFA World Cup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brendan Hunt from the hit show Ted Lasso joins the State of the Union for a very special show alongside Alexi Lalas and David Mosse! Hunt first talks about whether season three of Ted Lasso will be the final one for the show and also talks about his favorite episode. Hunt also makes sure to talk about USMNT, as he grades the United State's performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and gives his predictions on how he believes USMNT can perform in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During #AskAlexi, Lalas reveals his top five soccer movies ever produced while Mosse gives his top six movies of 2022. To wrap up the show, Lalas reveals what he told the USMNT U-15 squad as a guest speaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sandra Herrera and Lisa Roman give their way too early picks and predictions for the 2023 Women's World Cup. With just 8-months until the 2023 Women's World Cup, Sandra and Lisa give their Big Eight. They discuss the Top 8 Nations in the World Cup (30:26), the Top 8 essential US players (40:00), and the Top 8 nations the US should play before the World Cup (46:43). Plus, they update on the latest NWSL news with the newest coaching hires (5:48), fines (15:12), and the 2023 NWSL Season Framework (19:00). Full preview, analysis and so much more. Watch USWNT, NWSL and WSL games on P+" with a link to https://www.paramountplus.com/home/ 'Attacking Third' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the Attacking Third team on Twitter: @AttackingThird, @SandHerrera_, @LRoman32 Visit the Attacking Third YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/attackingthird You can listen to Attacking Third on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Attacking Third podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Attacking Third podcast." For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, World Cup, and Canadian soccer chat.It's been a busy week in Whitecapsland with new players coming in, some departures like Lucas Cavallini finally confirmed, and the preseason plans officially announced. We're joined by Harjeet Johal to chat about all of that, plus we look at some of the players available from other clubs in the various MLS clubs and ponder who would be a good fit in Vancouver.It was a good season for CF Montreal and we're joined by Eve Powell from The Ball Is Round podcast to chat about it all, look at the offseason roster decisions announced this week, look ahead to 2023, chat about another rebrand at the club, and look at the six players from the club that will be off representing Canada in Qatar.With the 2022 FIFA World Cup now just one day away, we take a look at all the runners and riders in Groups E to H, including Canada in Group F, and making a rash of predictions along the way.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:01.25: Intro03.50: Whitecaps roster decisions finalised22.10: Three new Whitecaps players signed36.10: Which players would be a good fit in Vancouver?59.50: Eve Powell talks all things CF Montreal109.15: World Cup Group E preview113.40: World Cup Group F preview125.50: World Cup Group G preview130.20: World Cup Group H preview135.20: World Cup predictions143.40: Wavelength - Tinty and the Bucket Hats - Waka Waka Cymru (Men of Harlech)

Huge thank you to Liverpool FC and Nike Football for this opportunity! BetterHelp has connected over 3 million people with licensed therapists. It’s convenient and accessible anywhere — 100% online. Learn more and save 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/PITCH LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at https://LinkedIn.com/PITCH Liverpool stars Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez join the lads to talk behind the scenes secrets in the life of a footballer, share their World Cup predictions & more! To watch & listen to the FULL podcast check out the links below Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3bVKnoxSY6jwZvwOf1lNu2 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pitch-side/id1586634842 Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjCJ2LaOIsPzOoXUTMDI3wg Join the Pitch Side FPL league for a chance to WIN the signed England shirt! Code: dx4a8d Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pitchsideinstagram Theo: https://youtube.com/c/HiMalfoy https://youtube.com/c/TheoBakerVlogs Ollie: https://youtube.com/c/reev https://youtube.com/c/OllieFletcher

Former Premier League star and England international Jermaine Jenas sat down with Shane Hannon in London for an exclusive interview. They talked World Cup predictions, the best midfielders he ever faced, playing alongside Robbie Keane, and much more. Jenas was launching his Autumn / Winter collection of clothes in association with Dare 2b.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by their new coworker, Chad Johnson, to delve into his past and how he became such a huge soccer fan. Who are his favorite players, which clubs does he root for, and what was it like to pursue a professional soccer career? The guys also have a few World Cup predictions before comparing World Cup squads to their NFL counterparts. Is the USA a dark horse? Chad Johnson certainly thinks so. Don't worry, we dive into his FIFA playing career as well... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What an eventful transfer window for Americans around the world. Christian Pulisic is staying at Chelsea after a few rumors surfaced, Sergiño Dest is headed to Italy, and John Brooks found a home. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break it all down for you. We also had quite a midweek from MLS with a few upsets. The guys dive into LAFC and Austin FC worries before previewing the biggest games ahead this weekend from around the globe. Will Arsenal keep their red-hot form against Manchester United? In #AskAlexi, we rank USMNT strikers and predict where CONCACAF teams will finish at the World Cup. Alexi then chats about Pulisic staying at Chelsea and his form in Qatar during our One for the Road segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

*DISCLAIMER* If you are looking for Austin FC tactical analysis, please go back or forward one episode for a regular episode of Moontower Soccer. But if you are looking for wholesome content about the good, good boys of Austin FC, you are in the right place. ----------------------- On today's Swoontower Soccer, Steph and Mike are all about the boys! Topics include: -We meet a celebrity (Adopt Vin Diesel right now!) -Our Montreal Win Photo! -Mate Con Vos -World Cup Predictions -Social Media S...

The USMNT, Mexico, Canada and possibly Costa Rica will be among the 32 teams competing for the biggest prize in soccer later this year. Jimmy Conrad, Heath Pearce and Charlie Davies discuss Concacaf's chances in the 2022 World Cup and make their predictions for which of the four teams will last the longest in Qatar. In Soccer We Trust is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the In Soccer We Trust team on Twitter: @ISWTPod, @JimmyConrad, @heathpearce, @CharlieDavies9, @PartidoPooper Watch In Soccer We Trust on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4tni-ICN9z0eMIPcf2r2g Subscribe to the In Soccer We Trust podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/InSoccerWeTrust For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the Prem Show on YouTube Live! Join us on Mondays at 1pm ET at www.elyutu.com or www.youtube.com/soccercooligans Today's Topics Include: Chelsea got owned by a man whoe came back from the afterlife. Early World Cup Predictions! Sausage Water For Sale! Thiago Silva Is A Woman? Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive videos and podcasts! https://www.patreon.com/SoccerCooligans Watch The Cooligans Clasico right now on YouTube! https://youtu.be/ied4xYq9gU0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 1 year countdown to the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup™ begins! Alexi Lalas and David Mosse cover all you need to know about Qatar in their 200th special edition episode of the State of the Union Podcast. Follow the guys on this star studded episode full of American soccer legends Cobi Jones, Chris Wondolowski, and Stu Holden. The guys cover what fans can expect in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and how it will be different than any previous tournament (2:20). Cobi Jones and the guys take a look back at the USA’s historic “Dos a Cero” win vs. Mexico at the 2002 World Cup, answer if Mexico can make it past the Round or 16 (if they qualify) and make predictions about other World Cup curses (12:10). Chris Wondolowski discusses his recent retirement from the San Jose Earthquakes, what his new role at the club will be going forward, and why he’s so excited about young USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi (26:30). Stu, Alexi, and Mosse put it all on the line and make their picks for who will win it all in Qatar in their predictions segment (37:20). Then Stu and the guys look at the recent USMNT results in qualifying, Canada’s big win over Mexico, and answer if Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the World Cup (50:00) . Finally Alexi caps the show with a big thank you to the fans of the State of the Union podcast who have tuned in each every week since the show started (1:16:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi and Mosse open the show with a conversation Senior Soccer Editor at Sporting News and former MLS editor-in-chief Simon Borg on all things MLS, USMNT World Cup predictions, and Christian Pulisic’s potential for stardom in the UCL final (04:35). The guys then preview the UEFA Champions League final, talk about Thomas Tuchel’s incredible run with Chelsea and Pep Guardiola’s legacy (42:52). They react to the Premier League’s last crazy match day for UCL qualifications; Atletico Madrid winning La Liga; Lille topping Paris-Saint Germain in League One, Juventus and AC Milan qualifying for UCL. In #AskAlexi (1:20:28), fans call in and ask about Mosse’s best XI Brazil team, covering soccer for a living, Liga MX in Copa Libertadores, and more. Finally, Alexi caps the show with his “One for the Road,” where he answers a fan’s questions clarifying his stands in the Columbus Crew rebrand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimbo’s joined in the pod by Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Sasha Goryunov and a host of other international guests too to tell you everything you need to know about how the likes of France, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, Peru, Morocco and the hosts will fare in RussiaRUNNING ORDER:• PART 1a: World Cup Fever, World Cup predictions (01m 50s)• PART 1b: Group A: Uruguay - a last hurrah for Suarez, Cavani and co? (05m 00s) • PART 1c: Group A: Egypt - King Salah and more with Bassil Mikdadi (11m 00s)• PART 1d: Group A: Russia - “beyond appalling” (18m 20s)• PART 1e: Group A: Saudi Arabia - even worse than Russia? (24m 20s)• PART 2a: Group B: Morocco - the most underrated team at the tournament? (27m 10s)• PART 2b: Portugal - going backwards since Euro 2016? (31m 50s)• PART 3c: Iran -a tough nut to crack (34m 00s)• PART 3d: Group B: Spain - back to their best? (36m 30s)• PART 4a: Group C: Peru - a great story, an even better kit (42m 40s)• PART 4b: Group C: Australia - Tim Cahill bids to do a Pele (45m 50s)• PART 4c: Group C: Denmark - big things expected from Christian Eriksen (47m 10s)• PART 4d: Group C: France - so much talent, but can they function as a coherent XI? (49m 40s)• PART 5: World Cup odds with Paddy Power’s Lee Price (56m 30s)• PART 6: Exeunt omnes (58m 10s)PARISH NOTICES:• we're sponsored by [**Paddy Power** - home of the Money Back Special](http://www.paddypower.com/)• get your trial shaving set from [**Harry’s** for just £3.95](http://www.harrys.com/totallyfootball)GET IN TOUCH:• [find us on **Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/thetotallyfootballshow/) - home of the Totally Football Quiz which will be back at half time during every England group game• send us a **[tweet: @TheTotallyShow](http://www.twitter.com/thetotallyshow)** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil Ashton is joined by The Times’ Henry Winter, Oliver Holt from the Mail on Sunday and The Sun’s Shaun Custis to discuss the latest news from the football world including Antonio Conte’s warning to the Chelsea board that he won’t change as speculation around his position continues to rumble on, the panel discuss the front runners for the various managerial positions that are now available and after Gareth Southgate named his squad for the World Cup in Russia, the guests predict how far England will go this summer. Sunday Supplement is a Sky Sports podcast. Listen to every episode here: skysports.com/sunday-supplement You can listen to Sunday Supplement on your smart speaker by saying "ask Global Player to play Sunday Supplement". For all the latest football news, head to skysports.com/football For advertising opportunities or to get in touch email: [email protected]