With the FIFA 2026 World Cup just days away from kickoff, the RBM team put their heads together to make their picks for some of the main categories at the global showcase.
World Cup Winners –
Pat – France. I simply believe they have the strongest team on paper. I also really like Spain and Portugal’s chances, but I believe the expanded team format will lead to some of the bigger teams getting knocked out earlier on. Tom – Brazil. I don’t think a European team will win it so why not see former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti
lead Brazil to World Cup glory in the US, 32 years on from USA 94! Geoff – Brazil. Peter – England. Tuchel has blown the team wide open and I can see Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice having a great tournament. If Harry Kane stays fit, who knows! Kevin – France. Too much quality all over the team to look past them. Calvin – Spain. A well-rounded team that can win playing any way they have to.
Favourite dark horse –
Pat – Senegal. Payback for their AFCON title getting taken away. I also really like Morocco—very well-rounded team.
Tom – Mexico, think home advantage could make a real difference.
Geoff – Morocco.
Peter – Belgium. The pressure of the golden generation has subsided and no one is talking about them right now which I believe will help them considerably. There is quality throughout the team and I think they may surprise a few.
Kevin – Morocco. Plenty of talent here!
Calvin – I’ve got Norway and Turkiye meeting in one semi-final.
Player of the Tournament (Golden Ball)-
Pat – Kylian Mbappe. I’m picking France to win the tournament, so only right for their star player to win this accolade.
Tom – Vinicius Jr. If Brazil go far, and I obviously think they will, then their forward players will stand out.
Geoff – Marquinhos.
Peter – My heart says Harry Kane, my brain says Lamine Yamal.
Kevin – Michael Olise off a great campaign could be ready to explode.
Calvin – Rodri. He’s the lynchpin in the middle of what should be a great Spanish side.
Top Scorer (Golden Boot) –
Pat – Kylian Mbappe. Same as above. We’ve seen what he can do on the world’s biggest stage and I’d like to think we’ll see Much of the same this time around.
Tom – Harry Kane. He is heading into the tournament bang in form and although I don’t think England will win it, I reckon he will score the vast majority if not all of their goals
Geoff – Neymar.
Peter – Harry Kane.
Kevin – Harry Kane. He will play every minute, is on pens, and England will make the last 8.
Calvin – Erling Haaland. He’s ready to make his mark at the World Cup.
Biggest flop (team) –
Pat – Brazil. I think there’s simply too much hype around their team and I think they’ll be outmatched by some of the bigger countries in play.
Tom – Portugal, thanks to a combination of an ageing but seemingly undroppable Ronaldo and Bobby Martinez.
Geoff – England.
Peter – Germany.
Kevin – England. Given the weight of expectation and them being 3rd favourites, but I don’t see them making the SF.
Calvin – I can see Germany, Brazil and Argentina all going out in the Round of 32, shocker!
Wild prediction –
Pat – Erling Haaland to will Norway to the knockout stages. While I don’t think this is the hottest take (and I’ve changed my bracket 15 times in the last 24 hours), the reigning Premier League Golden Boot winner will impress.
Tom – Japan to get to the semi-finals.
Geoff – USMNT to make quarter finals. I think the weather will play a major role and will affect European sides badly. Teams from South America, Asia and Africa to cope best. I’d forecast a lot of the older great players like Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo, Modric, Son Heung-Min will have tournaments to remember.
Peter – Canada will get out of their group and will cause an upset in the knockouts.
Kevin – Ex-Blue (was he here? Did anyone see him?) James Rodriguez will have a good tournament. Rafa will quietly seethe.
Calvin – No one is talking about Bosnia & Herzegovina, but they are a difficult outing. They will give France a run for it in the quarters, taking them to a penalty shootout before bowing out.
Contest –
We are keeping this incredibly simple. Follow these steps to lock in your bracket before the opening match:
1. Click the Link: Takes 30 seconds.
Head over to our official tournament page by clicking HERE. and then click the ‘Join A Group’ button.
2.Create Your Account: Use your blog username!.
Sign up with your email. To join the Royal Blue Mersey group, type in the Invite Code ‘XQHPDS’ and the Group Password ‘Everton’.
3.Fill Out Your Bracket: Deadline: Kickoff of Game 1, on Thursday June 11th.
Predict your group standings and map out your knockout tree all the way to the final. Don’t overthink it, but don’t let your heart completely rule your head!
