The 2026 World Cup is here and predictions made by former players, managers and supporters across the globe will now be put to the test. Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has put his firm backing behind one nation this summer.
World football's biggest competition has expanded for the 2026 edition, meaning a record 48 countries will be battling to get their hands on the iconic trophy. Among the favourites are Thomas Tuchel's England and Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Ferguson doesn't believe the country he managed in for 27 years or his greatest-ever player will lift the World Cup this year. If they do, he believes they'll have to get past his formidable favourites.
Sir Alex Doubts Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Chances
Cristiano RonaldoRodrigo Antunes via Reuters
Fergie brought a young Ronaldo to Old Trafford in 2003 from Sporting CP and oversaw his rise to winning the Ballon d'Or and becoming the best player on the planet. But he doesn't think his ex-player will get his wish this summer.
When asked about Ronaldo's chances of finally getting over the line in his record sixth World Cup, the iconic Scot claimed there's only one team to beat. Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil. He told Press Box PR in late 2025 (per TNT Sports):
"Portugal have got good players. I always think of Brazil at the World Cup
"The Brazilian players - I had the two young lads, twins, Rafael and Fabio. They were first-rate in training every day, never wore [tracksuit] bottoms. They have a toughness about them, Brazilians. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing."
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"I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup," was Ferguson's emphatic verdict. Ancelotti would have to do something no manager has ever done in World Cup history. Each nation to have lifted the trophy has done so with a manager born in that country in charge.
The Italian is among the most successful club managers and even beat Ferguson to the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2009-10 season. So if Portugal or England are to go all the way this year, they'll have to go through the South Americans in Ferguson's eyes.
Roy Keane Disagrees With Fergie... Again
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Ferguson and his former captain Roy Keane are known to not see eye-to-eye on many things these days. That's exactly the case when it comes to their respective World Cup predictions.
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Instead of Brazil, Keane is backing France, Spain and Argentina as the front-runners to win the competition. Over in the United States as an ITV pundit, the Irishman predicted:
"The French, that squad’s fantastic. Spanish, with the conditions over there, the way they look after the ball and how brilliant they were at the Euros, if they can back that up, which I’m sure they can.
"I’m going to throw Argentina in there as well. Obviously, one of the South Americans will always turn up."