SEN's FIFA World Cup 2026™ Predictions

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is here!

The US, Canada and Mexico play host to the world's greatest tournament, with one month of football action already underway!

From winners, losers, Australia's chances and Cinderella stories, the SEN.com.au team have compiled their predictions ahead of the cup.

See our predictions below:

SEN Football talent:

Jordan Kounelis

Winner: Spain
Runner-up: Argentina
Golden Ball: Lamine Yamal
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe
How far will Australia go: Will finish 3rd in the group and make the Round of 32 where they’ll be eliminated by Germany.
Cinderella story: Türkiye will excite everyone in their long awaited return to the World Cup and reach the quarter finals.

Archie Thompson

Winner: Either Spain or France
How far will Australia go: Round of 32

SEN.com.au:

Sam Edmund

Winner: France
Runner Up: Spain
Golden Ball: Lamine Yamal
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe
How far will Australia go: Round of 32
Cinderella story: Curacao to get out of the group

Andrew Slevison

Winner: Spain
Runner Up: Portugal
Golden Ball: Vitinha
Golden Boot: Mikel Oyarzabal
How far will Australia go: Round of 32
Cinderella story: Japan to advance to the quarters at least. World falls in love with Samurai Blue fans... again.

Emily Benammar

Winner: England
Runner up: Brazil
Golden Ball: Harry Kane
Golden Boot: Mikel Oyarzabal
How far will Australia go: Knockout stage at best
Cinderella story: Ecuador are on a 19-game unbeaten run with 13 clean sheets; they’re a dark horse alongside Norway

Jaiden Sciberras

Winner: Spain
Runner Up: France
Golden Ball: Erling Haaland
Golden Boot: Michael Olise
How far will Australia go: Round of 32
Cinderella story: Norway progress to the semi-finals

Connor Scanlon

Winner: Spain
Runner Up: France
Golden Ball: Lamine Yamal
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe
How far will Australia go: Round of 32
Cinderella story: New Zealand maintain their unbeaten streak in the World Cup

Nicholas Quinlan

Winner: Spain
Runner up: Argentina
Golden Ball: Lamine Yamal
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe
How far will Australia go?: Round of 32 (knocked out in extra time)
Cinderella story: Mexico finally break the quinto partido curse (fifth game)

Ethan Clark

Winner: Spain
Runner Up: Netherlands
Golden Ball: Ousmane Dembélé
Golden Boot: Harry Kane
How far will Australia go: Round of 32
Cinderella story: The Socceroos score more than 5 goals over the course of the tournament; the most in our WC history.

Charles Goodsir

Winner: Spain
Runner up: England
Golden Ball: Lamine Yamal
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe
How far will Australia go: Third place finish in the group, narrowly miss out on knockout stage
Cinderella story: Senegal make it to the final four.