Only two days remain until the World Cup kicks off! We have launched the special column “World Cup Countdown”, with today’s theme centering on the race for the World Cup trophy and the Ballon d’Or. In a World Cup year, the winner of the Ballon d’Or is very likely to come from the championship squad. Yamal, Kane, Dembélé, Vitinha… who will become the biggest winner of all?
The Battle for World Cup Trophy: Eight Contenders Fight for Glory
This World Cup features 48 participating teams across 104 matches. To lift the trophy, a side needs to play eight full games, which poses an enormous test to teams’ physical fitness, squad depth and tactical adaptability. The contest among elite giants stands as one of the most captivating highlights of the tournament. Judging by overall squad strength, eight nations are genuine title contenders: European champion Spain builds its lineup around Barcelona players led by Yamal, boasting mature tactics and a well-balanced mix of young talents and seasoned veterans. Thanks to the seeding system for World Cup favourites, Spain has been drawn into the top half of the bracket, avoiding an early knockout clash with Argentina. France, finalists in the last two World Cups, ranks as the second favourite. Les Bleus possess unparalleled talent across every line. Their attacking corps includes Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, Cherki and Doué; the midfield is anchored by Kanté, Tchouaméni and young Emery; while Saliba, Koundé and Konaté form a world-class backline. England also fields a star-studded roster. Kane and Saka spearhead the attack, Rice and Bellingham control the midfield, and Reece James alongside Gueye marshal the defence. The Three Lions last claimed the World Cup back in 1966. Though they have long been tipped as title favourites, they have fallen short of the ultimate prize for 60 years. Can England fulfil their long-awaited dream this time? Led by Messi, Argentina sits as the fourth favourite. Compared to the tournament four years ago, the core squad remains largely unchanged, with Messi, Álvarez, Lautaro, Mac Allister, Enzo and Emiliano Martínez leading the side. This united Albiceleste boasts balanced attack and defence. Messi brings unparalleled cohesion to the team, and unity translates into formidable match power. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is the fifth favourite. Portugal’s greatest strength lies in its stacked midfield. The squad unites four elite playmakers: PSG duo João Neves and Vitinha, Manchester United captain and Premier League top assist provider Bruno Fernandes, plus former Manchester City skipper Bernardo Silva, who left the club this summer. Just one of these four midfielders would elevate any team, yet Portugal has all four. The pressure falls on Ronaldo: with such luxurious creative supply from midfield, can CR7 score goals in abundance? Managed by Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil ranks sixth in the title odds. The Seleção is packed with household names, including Barcelona’s Raphinha, Real Madrid’s Vinicius and Manchester United’s Casemiro. However, Vinicius has consistently underperformed for Brazil relative to his displays at Real Madrid. Ancelotti also faces a tough dilemma: should Neymar be handed a regular starting spot? Germany, coached by Nagelsmann, is the seventh contender. The squad lacks an undisputed global megastar. Wirtz has delivered mediocre performances since joining Liverpool, Havertz only recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff, and Musiala has also been plagued by fitness issues. Even so, no opponent dares underestimate Germany’s rich tournament pedigree, keeping them firmly in title contention. The Netherlands rounds out the eight favourites in eighth place. Can the experienced core of Van Dijk, Depay, Gakpo and De Jong fire the Oranje – the “uncrowned kings” – to their maiden World Cup crown?
Four Superstars Vie for Ballon d’Or, the Mbappé Paradox Emerges
Who will claim the 2026 Ballon d’Or? A player’s World Cup displays will heavily sway the final verdict. Based on performances throughout the 2025–26 campaign, Yamal, Kane, Vitinha and Dembélé are the four front-runners. At Barcelona, Yamal registered 24 goals and 18 assists in the 2025–26 season, already showcasing elite superstar calibre. At just 18 years old, he embarks on his maiden World Cup campaign, hungry for both the tournament trophy and the Ballon d’Or. England captain Harry Kane mounts a fierce challenge for the individual award. Across 51 appearances for Bayern Munich in 2025–26, Kane netted 61 goals. In his three seasons with Bayern, he has lifted four major trophies, erasing his long-standing record of zero club titles. If England wins the World Cup, Kane will emerge as the clear frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or. PSG midfield linchpin Vitinha also holds strong credentials for the award. He finished third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, cementing his status among football’s elite. Should Portugal conquer the World Cup, Vitinha will become the overwhelming fan favourite to win the Ballon d’Or. 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé aims to secure back-to-back individual honours. He stands to benefit from what experts call the “Mbappé Paradox”: even if Mbappé shines and guides France to World Cup glory, this outcome will ultimately boost Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or chances. After all, Dembélé owns a Champions League title, and his haul of club silverware vastly outshines Mbappé’s barren trophy cabinet at club level.