Japan are my selection as the next, first-time WC winners. The youth development and quality coming out of Japan are first class - easily on par with Holland, IMO. That's saying something. The Dutch have, per capita, the best academy system on the planet. Again, only my opinion. Nevertheless, I'm very bullish on the Samurai Blue.
I couldn’t name you any major players from the Tunisian national team, however, I do remember watching them play in the World Cup in November. I recognize a couple of the faces, but not any of the names. They obviously didn’t win very much in the World Cup, and did not make it out of the group stages, but they didn’t get battered either. This is a very solid side, and, at least from what I can tell, one of the up-and-coming teams on the African continent that will continue to be dangerous in qualifying and likely make several more world cups with this golden generation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Japan are my Darkhorse pick to win the 2026 World Cup. Especially with more knockout rounds, that means more chaos. But no matter what, they have the talent, at least, in my mind, to win the whole thing. Argentina and Brazil are getting older. Germany is youthful and inexperienced. Spain is getting older. England makes a habit of not being able to convert penalties and crashing out early. Portugal is getting older. Belgium and Italy seem to be in a transition right now. It looks very good for Japan.
Japan are my selection as the next, first-time WC winners.
The youth development and quality coming out of Japan are first class - easily on par with Holland, IMO. That's saying something. The Dutch have, per capita, the best academy system on the planet.
Again, only my opinion. Nevertheless, I'm very bullish on the Samurai Blue.
I’m very impressed with the depth as well now. Really have a chance.
I couldn’t name you any major players from the Tunisian national team, however, I do remember watching them play in the World Cup in November. I recognize a couple of the faces, but not any of the names. They obviously didn’t win very much in the World Cup, and did not make it out of the group stages, but they didn’t get battered either. This is a very solid side, and, at least from what I can tell, one of the up-and-coming teams on the African continent that will continue to be dangerous in qualifying and likely make several more world cups with this golden generation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Japan are my Darkhorse pick to win the 2026 World Cup. Especially with more knockout rounds, that means more chaos. But no matter what, they have the talent, at least, in my mind, to win the whole thing. Argentina and Brazil are getting older. Germany is youthful and inexperienced. Spain is getting older. England makes a habit of not being able to convert penalties and crashing out early. Portugal is getting older. Belgium and Italy seem to be in a transition right now. It looks very good for Japan.
Tunisia are no mugs either!
You know it bud