Clinton Morrison's 2026 World Cup Preview: Winner, Dark Horses & England's Chances
It's the international break, and with the 2026 World Cup now just months away, minds are beginning to turn to what promises to be the biggest football tournament in history, 48 teams, three host nations, and a summer that could finally belong to England.
Former Premier League striker and Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison sat down with FreeBets.com to give his verdicts on everything World Cup, from his outright winner pick and dark horse tips, to England's chances under Thomas Tuchel and the key selection debates heading into the summer.
Here's what Clinton had to say, speaking with the home of World Cup Betting Offers, and see if you agree with his picks.
IN FULL: Clinton Morrison's 2026 World Cup Preview
Who wins the World Cup?
There's two teams I could say, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably say France.
Clinton's pick: France
Dark horses
I think Colombia could be a really good dark horse. They've got some good footballers. South American teams in general could be dark horses because they'll be used to the heat, and that's a big factor over there. Luis DÃaz is in the form of his life, they've got real quality.
Clinton's dark horse: Colombia
The best player at the tournament
That's a difficult one. There's a lot of competition. Mbappé would be up there. Lamine Yamal would be up there. For me, as soon as you said it, I thought Lamine Yamal or Mbappé, I think either of those two. The things Lamine Yamal can do with a football at his age is just ridiculous. You can never sleep on Mbappé either. Brazil have Estêvão, the young star who could announce himself on the biggest stage. And you still can't sleep on Messi if he's in the squad. There are so many talented players, it's just going to be an exciting World Cup. If I was pushed for one player, I'd go with Yamal.
Clinton's pick: Lamine Yamal
The team Clinton is most looking forward to watching
Brazil. I just want to see who they play as the number nine, who they're going to pick. Will Neymar make the squad? They've got good players all over the pitch. Even their starting eleven will be hard to pick, let alone the bench. Brazil are a team I'm really looking forward to because in previous tournaments they've been a bit quiet. Now I think with Carlo Ancelotti, with his experience, they'll be a real force.
Clinton's pick: Brazil
The four teams with the best chance
France, Spain, England and Brazil, that'd be my four. Obviously Argentina would be an outside bet, but those four I think would be the ones. Germany, a lot of people are saying Germany, but I don't think they're the same as before. But those four teams would be the ones. England definitely, with the squad and the manager. France, the manager's been there, seen it, done it and the squad is ridiculous. Brazil, the Ancelotti effect. And Spain, they win everything, they've got top players, it kind of speaks for itself. If it wasn't one of those four that went on and won the World Cup, I'd be very surprised.
Can Argentina defend their title with an ageing Messi?
They'd always have a good opportunity. But do I think they'll do it? I don't think they will, because if Messi was four or five years younger, I think they would do it, because single-handedly he can win a game by himself. He's still got stuff in his legs and he'll still cause a lot of problems because he's the best player to ever do it, in my opinion. But there are younger players coming through now and Argentina is probably an ageing team. Do I think they'll win it? No. But do I think they'll go quite far in the tournament? Yeah, because of the experience in that squad.
Can England win it under Tuchel?
England can win it. Of course they can, they've got top players. But Tuchel has got to pick the right team, the right players and the right system that suits them. It's going to be difficult because there are some top teams and you're going to need a bit of luck. I think Harry Kane is crucial to England because I don't think there's a striker in that English squad who can get them the goals that Kane can.
With the squad of players now, I think this is England's greatest opportunity to go on and maybe win the World Cup. But we've said that from years upon years with England. So now it's time for Thomas Tuchel, who they think is the right manager, to go in there and deliver. There will be some good players left at home, that's how good the England squad is at this moment. But it's all right having a good squad. When you get out there, you've got to go and deliver.
First name on Tuchel's teamsheet
Harry Kane. Easy. That's an easy one. Jordan Pickford would be in there. Declan Rice as well. Those three are definite starters for me. Harry Kane, particularly, so pivotal. Give him half a chance and he'll put it in the back of the net.
No.10 Debate
I'd go with Jude Bellingham because he's got the experience and he's a big-game player. But Morgan Rogers I think is ahead of him in Thomas Tuchel's thinking at this moment, because of how well he's done for him. But if it's a one-off game in a final, I want Jude Bellingham, he's been there and delivered for England before. There's Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, so many that want to play in that number ten role. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the World Cup squad is announced.
Clinton's pick: Jude Bellingham
Surprise Package
I'm interested in Nico O'Reilly. He's been outstanding at Man City and scored two goals in the Carabao Cup final. He's probably Tuchel's choice at left-back at the moment, getting into areas and scoring goals, comfortable in possession, can play in midfield. He's one I'm looking at and thinking, could he have a great tournament? And Reece James is the other one. I think he's been brilliant for Chelsea this year. Two full-backs, I know people might find that a funny combination to highlight, but I think they'd both be key to England.
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold make the squad?
No, I don't think he'll make Tuchel's World Cup squad. If it was my squad, he'd make it easily. But not Thomas Tuchel's. You can see in this last squad, he's not picked Trent, and Trent's been playing at Real Madrid, back from injury. If this was the perfect opportunity to put Trent into the squad, this was it. So personally, I can't see him being in that England squad. But if it was me, I'd have Trent in there, he might not start, but he can make an impact off the bench.
England's group — should they be nervous about Croatia, Ghana or Panama?
Ghana is going to be really difficult. Ghana have got a lot of players who play in England and they'll know the England players, they can cause real problems and they've got some talented individuals. Croatia, always hard, no matter who you're playing against. But do I expect England to top the group? Yeah, I do.
Underperformers
I think Germany could massively underperform. I just think they're evolving, trying to bring new players in, and it's going to be really difficult. You always expect Germany to get to the quarters or the semis, to be competitive. So yeah, Germany is a team I look at and think they could underperform for sure.
Clinton's pick to underperform: Germany
Golden Boot
Mbappé, Kane or Haaland, they'll be taking penalties for their countries and they're the ones who thrive on service. If I had to push for one, I'd probably say Mbappé.
Clinton's Golden Boot pick: Kylian Mbappé
Dream World Cup final
The dream World Cup final for football would be France vs Spain. But flipping that on its head for the nation, even though I played for Ireland, I everyone would rather see England in the final. For a football spectacle, it would be Spain v France for me. But for the nation, it would be England v Brazil, France or Spain. France and Spain have those X-factor players, but so do England. And I'd throw Brazil into that mix with VinÃcius Júnior, they've got players that can excite as well.
What the World Cup means to Clinton personally
I think every youngster, as a kid, dreams of going to a World Cup and being involved. I managed to live that dream, being involved with Ireland in 2002. So now I can sit here and enjoy it with my kids, watching on the TV, getting excited watching every game. I will be across every game, I know some games are on at crazy times, but I'll still be watching because that's what you live and breathe. We'll have World Cup fever in our house. I'm really looking forward to it.
Clinton Morrison's 2026 World Cup Picks — At a Glance
| Question | Clinton's Pick |
|---|---|
| Tournament winner | France |
| Dark horse | Colombia |
| Best player at the tournament | Lamine Yamal |
| Team to watch | Brazil |
| Golden Boot | Kylian Mbappé |
| England's must-start player | Harry Kane |
| England's number ten | Jude Bellingham |
| England's surprise package | Nico O'Reilly |
| Team to underperform | Germany |
| Dream final | France vs Spain |
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