FIFA World Cup preview: Who will take home the trophy?

About this episode

Journalist Sandeep Menon discusses the contenders and underdogs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Journalist and author Sandeep Menon explores the tactics, form and what to expect from the top contenders and underdogs to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off, the debate over who will lift football's biggest prize is intensifying. Are France truly the team to beat? Can challengers such as Spain, Argentina and Portugal dethrone them? Which dark horses and underdogs could spring a surprise in the tournament's new 48-team format? We discuss all these and also explore what it really takes to win a World Cup. Guest: Sandeep Menon, sports journalist and author Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Reuben Joe Joseph

Guest: Sandeep Menon

Topics covered

• FIFA World Cup
• football tactics
• sports commentary
• team analysis
• underdogs

Keywords

• FIFA World Cup
• 2026
• football
• tactics
• contenders
• underdogs
• Sandeep Menon

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Hindu

Places: France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal

More episodes of In Focus by The Hindu

• Political stability, India ties, economic crisis: Where is Bangladesh headed under BNP? · June 12, 2026 · 25 min
• In Focus-Parley | Should India incentivise bigger families? · June 11, 2026 · 36 min
• Foreign Portfolio exodus: What does it mean for domestic investors? · June 10, 2026 · 27 min
• Falling fertility rate: Is India in danger of missing its demographic dividend? · June 9, 2026 · 44 min
• Making history at Norway Chess: When Pragg beat Carlsen twice in his own backyard · June 8, 2026 · 21 min
• Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy: Behind Delhi’s endemic failure to enforce safety norms · June 6, 2026 · 40 min