David Beckham has thrown his weight behind the Three Lions as the likely champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United legend, known for his pinpoint crosses and dead-ball mastery, didn’t hold back when asked about the tournament’s top contender.
Speaking candidly with ABC News, Beckham acknowledged the weight of history pressing on England’s shoulders. “I am always going to say England,” he declared with a familiar smile. He pointed out that it has now been six decades since the nation last tasted World Cup glory back in 1966.
“It’s sixty years now since we last won the World Cup, so it is about time that we win again,” Beckham added, emphasizing the growing sense of destiny surrounding Gareth Southgate’s evolving squad.
However, the former England captain was careful not to underestimate the tournament’s unpredictable nature. “It is never easy,” he cautioned. “There is always a surprise in a World Cup with either a player or a country that emerges.”
He noted that every edition of the global showpiece brings an unexpected hero or an unfancied team that captures the world’s imagination.
That’s when Beckham revealed his pick for this year’s dark horse: Japan. Praising the tactical discipline and technical quality of the Samurai Blue, he suggested they are primed to cause major upsets. “I think the Japanese team has got a really strong team,” Beckham said. “They could be kind of a secret.” His remark positions Japan as a side that fans and rivals should watch closely, capable of slipping through the shadows and making a deep run when the tournament kicks off across North America.
With Beckham’s prediction now public, the countdown to 2026 carries an extra layer of intrigue: can England finally break their half-century drought, or will Japan emerge as the tournament’s stealth sensation?
