The most interesting team to win the world cup
A few years ago, I almost won a limousine from an electronics retailer’s World Cup contest. The challenge was to predict the champion and the final score. I picked the winning country—Spain—but missed the scoreline. Spain was considered an underdog by many heading into that tournament.
This year, my pick is England, for five reasons:
Ending a 60-year wait. England has not won the World Cup since 1966. Breaking that drought would be one of the most significant stories in modern football.
Tournament-proven coaching. Thomas Tuchel has a track record of preparing teams for high-pressure knockout football, where tactical discipline often matters more than flair.
Tactical adaptability. England has shown it can adjust its shape, pressing, and game plan to suit different opponents—a key advantage over the course of a tournament.
Set-piece excellence. In knockout football, where matches are often decided by fine margins, England’s strength from corners and free kicks could prove decisive.
Depth with defined roles. England’s squad has quality across every position, allowing them to rotate players without losing tactical structure or balance.