Thierry Henry has named two outsiders he thinks can shock the world and emerge victorious at the 2026 World Cup, as well as his top contenders.

This summer’s tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, gets underway on June 11.

The 48 nations that are taking part in the competition will all have aspirations that they can lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

Argentina will be looking to retain their title, while France, Spain, England and Brazil are among the sides that have the quality to go all the way.

Thierry Henry Names His World Cup Favourites

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Arsenal legend Henry knows a thing or two about winning the World Cup. He was part of the France squad that was crowned world champions for the first time in 1998.

Didier Deschamps is taking France into a major tournament for the final time this summer. The 57-year-old has named a very strong squad as Les Bleus look to be crowned world champions for a third time. Henry thinks they are the favourites. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, he said:

When asked to name France’s best strength, Henry replied:

“On the bench. It sounds simple, but squad depth is crucial. If your substitutes are on par with the starting eleven, it’s a huge advantage, especially in such a long tournament after an intense season.”

Thierry Names Talks Up Senegal and Norway’s Chances

Ints Kalnins Via Reuters

Henry also named other nations that he thinks are ‘promising candidates’ to win the competition. He told Betway:

“As for Germany, I’m waiting for them to rediscover their best form. Germany has qualified, and that’s the most important thing. Sometimes you can even play better with less pressure. In any case, I wish Julian Nagelsmann and his team all the best – unless they play against France.”

France, Senegal and Norway have all been paired together in a very tough group. Despite this, Henry thinks all three sides can win the competition.

He added: “Senegal has always been a country with special players, they just couldn’t get over the line by winning an AFCON. It’s been done since, and since that 2002 team they’ve never looked back.

“It’s good for France to start that way, because you have to be ready right from the start. There won’t be any easy games and you play against two outstanding teams.”

Senegal have never been past the quarter-finals at a World Cup. Norway’s best finish at the World Cup came in 1998 when they got to the round of 16.

A decision has already been made on whether Somali referee Omar Artan can take charge of 2026 World Cup matches in Canada and Mexico after being barred by the United States.

The 34-year-old was set to become the first ref from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals after making FIFA’s final list for the showpiece international tournament.

Named Africa’s best referee, Artan is widely regarded as a hero to people in his home country. He was interviewed for 11 hours by a border official and asked why he had travelled to the United States, while being pressed on questions around Somali politics and militant groups, according to The New York Times, via Sports Illustrated.

Artan is understood to have presented his FIFA documentation and single-entry visa but was placed on a plane to Istanbul, Turkey, before returning to his home country.

A US official told ESPN that Artan was denied entry due to “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”

Canadian Politicians Send World Cup Invitation to Artan

Although Artan has now returned to Somalia, the FIFA-listed referee has been sent a World Cup invitation by Canadian politicians.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, the political leader overseeing the seven World Cup fixtures in Vancouver, has expressed his desire to welcome the barred referee to BC and Canada for the tournament.

“Mr. Artan would be welcomed and celebrated in British Columbia for what he’s overcome and where he is today,” Eby said on social media. “Let’s have him referee in Vancouver.”

Meanwhile, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow, whose city are set to host six World Cup matches, said in a statement: “Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right. Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine.

Decision on Artan Refereeing Games in Canada and Mexico

Sports Illustrated add that Artan “would likely be allowed entry and could officiate in some of the 13 games, split between Vancouver and Toronto”.

However, BBC Sport have explained why this isn’t a possibility after Artan was sent home.

It’s been confirmed that it would not be possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and only referee matches played in Canada or Mexico.

The reason is that referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has created a training hub for the tournament’s 52 referees and 88 assistant referees in Miami.

All on-pitch officials have been told they must stay at the base in Florida for training, preparation and security.

The fact Artan has been denied entry into the United States means he wouldn’t be able to attend the training hub in Miami, ending any remaining hope of him refereeing at the tournament.

With UFC Freedom 250 just a matter of days away now, heavyweight contender Alex Pereira has seemingly dropped a bombshell by claiming one of the fighters on the card will be FIRED once it’s all done and dusted.

Speaking in the pre-event press conference last night, the Brazilian was discussing one of the fighters on the stacked UFC White House card, and he dropped strong hints that his future may not be with Dana White‘s company, insinuating that his days are numbered.

Pereira, who is making his heavyweight debut this weekend on the South Lawn of the White House, is set to share the Octagon with Frenchman Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, which would be his third belt in a different weight class following his success at middleweight and light heavyweight.

However, despite the biggest fight of his career upon him, Poatan has still had time to discuss other fighters on the card and their futures with, or in this case away, from the UFC.

What Alex Pereira Said Ahead of UFC Freedom 250

During the press conference for the event, Pereira was asked about a fellow fighter on the card, someone he clearly has no time for, and that’s when he dropped the bombshell that he’s heard some things about his future.

The fighter in question is none other than Josh Hokit, who has quite clearly rubbed the heavyweight up the wrong way with his antics over the past few weeks.

After being asked about Hokit, Pereira said: “Honestly, I didn’t even want to talk about [Hokit], but I’m going to make this very clear here.

Josh Hokit’s Controversial Antics

It would probably come as little surprise to many UFC fans that Josh Hokit’s future with the company is uncertain, especially given the fact that controversy is never too far away from the American.

He has built up a reputation over the last few years of saying what he thinks, especially in post-fight interviews, and those opinions are likely what’s going to get him into trouble down the line.

Following his TKO victory at UFC 324, which was actually the first UFC event to be streamed live on Paramount+, he responded to the idea of “losing in a fist fight” by stating: “N-word, please.”

If that wasn’t risky enough, during the same interview, he called out Waldo Cortes-Acosta, labelling him a “deadbeat father not to one kid, but to nine,” and concluded the very same interview by stating: “And P.S., Brittney Griner is a man.”

In response to said interview, Dana White stated: “I heard about it. I didn’t see it. I don’t love it.”

Hokit has a 9-0 professional MMA record, with a 3-0 record in the UFC, but his days could be numbered, especially if what Alex Pereira has heard is accurate.