Michael Owen Names 2026 World Cup Favorites and Dark Horses to Win the Trophy

Former England striker Michael Owen has named France as the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup.

The tournament will begin on Thursday night.

While most bookmakers have placed Spain as their top pick, citing their recent European Championship victory two years ago, Owen believes Les Bleus are “miles better” than the rest of the field.

He also predicts that England will reach at most the semi‑finals, whereas Germany could emerge as a dark horse.

“I think England will be a quarter‑final or a semi‑final at best would be my guess, but I have a sneaky feeling that Germany could do well,” Owen told Metro.

“I think they could do well. So France would be my pick, England to get to the quarters or semis and Germany to be the dark horses.”