World Cup 2026: Who Will Win?

All levels48 minIn the NewsLesson 1 of 13 · Free

Aims

Guardian writers share their predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The lesson, stage by stage

  1. News10 min

    In the news: The story

    Read a 171-word news story: 48 Teams, One Trophy: The World Cup Is Almost Here

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to begin in North America, and football fans around the world are getting excited. This year's tournament is the biggest ever, with 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Writers and experts are already making their predictions about which teams will go far. France and Spain are the most popular picks to reach the final. Many experts believe France have the depth and experience to win a third World Cup title. Spain, the current European champions, are also strong contenders, with young stars like Lamine Yamal leading the way. England fans are hopeful too, with Harry Kane in great form as their main striker. There are also some exciting underdogs to watch. Ecuador have a strong defence and a world-class midfield player in Moisés Caicedo. Norway are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, with Erling Haaland scoring goals at an incredible rate. Japan, Senegal, and even tiny Cape Verde could also surprise people along the way.

  2. Vocabulary8 min

    Vocabulary: Words in the news

    7 items

  3. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: The big favourites

    2 discussion questions

    • France and Spain are the top favourites to win the World Cup. Which team do you think will win, and why?
    • Do you think experience or young talent is more important for winning a big tournament?
  4. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: Personal connection

    2 discussion questions

    • Do you follow a national football team? How do you feel when your country plays in a big competition?
    • Have you ever watched a World Cup match with other people? What was the atmosphere like?
  5. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: Football and the world

    2 discussion questions

    • The World Cup brings together fans from almost every country. Do you think sport is a good way to connect different nations and cultures?
    • Small countries like Cape Verde and Norway are competing as underdogs this year. Why do you think it matters for smaller nations to be part of a global tournament like this?

Target vocabulary

In a Tuton account these words become your student's vocabulary deck, so they come back in practice between lessons.

tournament
A competition with many teams playing over several rounds
prediction
A statement about what you think will happen in the future
contender
A team or person with a strong chance of winning
final
The last and most important match in a competition
striker
A forward player whose main job is to score goals
underdog
A team expected to lose but who might cause a surprise
depth
Having many good players available, not just a few stars

This plan comes from the Sport course in the Tuton library. Browse all free lesson plans.