#WorldCupChampionPrediction

The longest World Cup in history, which began with 48 teams, has now turned into a chessboard. The chaos is over, and we've arrived at the point where details and depth of strategy will determine the outcome. In this marathon of 48 teams and 104 matches, those who will stand tall will not only be the best players, but also those who manage the tournament.

The quarter-final standings will become clearer this evening. The semi-finals will be held on July 14th in Arlington and July 15th in Atlanta, and the final will be on July 19th at MetLife Stadium.

The current situation is as follows:
France opened the quarter-finals with a clear 2-0 victory against Morocco. This score was a repeat of the same match-up in the 2022 semi-finals and showed that France can achieve results with the same plan in big matches. Deschamps did not change the structure that controls the game in the center but instantly destabilizes it with Mbappe on the flanks.

Tonight's quarter-final is like a tactical final of the tournament. Spain will want to suffocate their opponent by possessing the ball, while Belgium, with their transition game restructured after De Bruyne's departure, will go directly to the goal. The winner of this match will face France in the first semi-final.
On the other side are England and Norway. England is patient in their set play, while Norway plays with two clear threats, Haaland and Nusa, who have brought their league tempo to the World Cup. The physical threshold will be very high.
The last quarter-final is between Argentina and Switzerland. Argentina has crowded the center throughout the tournament and solved the flanks with their fullbacks, while Switzerland, one of the teams that conceded the fewest chances in the tournament, is again patient in blocking.

My prediction: Champion France

For three reasons.

1. Rotation depth. In this format, you play 8 matches instead of 7, and there are travels. France is the only team that can use almost all of its 23-man squad at starting level. In midfield, they can rotate between Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Rabiot without dropping the level.

2. Advantage of the match and rest. France comes with an extra day of rest, and their opponent will be coming off a tough match tonight. The fact that the semi-final will be played in Dallas also means ample space for France's transition game.

3. Tournament memory. We're talking about a core team that has seen two finals in the last three World Cups. A team that doesn't panic when the score is 0-0, and doesn't change its plan when 1-0 down.

Alternative scenario: Spain. If they break Belgium's press tonight and keep possession above 65%, they can go all the way to the final without giving up possession. Then the final will be France vs. Spain, and the trophy will be decided in the details, in set pieces.

In my mind, the trophy is returning to Paris. France will write its name as the first champion of the first 48-team World Cup in 2026.

In your opinion, whose hands will lift the trophy in this chaotic marathon?