The 2026 World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer, and with just weeks to go until the opening game, everyone wants to know who is going to win it.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina side are the defending champions, having claimed the trophy for a third time in their history in Qatar in December 2022, defeating France on penalties in one of the all-time great finals. Prior to that, Les Bleus claimed their second triumph in 2018, while Germany claimed a fourth victory in the tournament in 2014.

Now it has emerged that an economist Joachim Klement has created a formula that has correctly predicted each of the last three winners in advance, and he has made his pick for the 2026 edition of the tournament – to surprise results.

100% Accurate Formula Picks 2026 World Cup Winner

Klement has run the 2026 tournament through his formula, and after previously picking Germany, France and Argentina successfully to win the competition, he has now claimed that it will be the Netherlands who come out on top in New York on July 19th.

According to his algorithm, Ronald Koeman’s side will take on France in the quarter-finals and find a way through, before taking on tournament favourites Spain in the semi-final, where they will once again come out on top.

Then, in the final, they will take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, but the fairytale for the legendary forward will end in heartbreak, with the Netherlands tipped to go all the way.

“I was a bit surprised when it came out of my model and the simulations that the Netherlands would win,” Klement told SBS Dutch.

“Particularly given that the simulation showed that the Netherlands has a very, very difficult path to the final.”

“France would be more likely to win against the Netherlands, because it’s one of the best teams in the world right now,” he said.

“But … on any given day, in any given match, luck plays an important role and, in fact, about 50 per cent of the outcome is given by luck.”

“If Holland makes it to the semi-finals, it will be a situation where it already has a lot of confidence that it can beat anyone,” he said.

“I think it will literally be 50/50 if you beat Spain or not, and if you beat Spain, then the path is clear to the World Cup.”

Netherlands Have Never Won the World Cup

The Netherlands are currently ranked as the eighth favourites with bookmakers ahead of the tournament, and that makes it a surprise that they have been tipped to go all the way.

But what makes it even more surprising is the fact that they have never won it before in their history, despite having some football legends having worn the kit, and the fact they have reached three finals in the past.

In 1974 they reached the final but were beaten 2-1 by West Germany, and then four years later in 1978 they made it to the final once again, only to suffer defeat at the hands of Argentina after extra-time. They then suffered heartbreak in extra-time once again in 2010, as Spain’s golden generation secured victory through Andres Iniesta’s winner.

Watching Netherlands go all the way would be an incredible achievement, and it would add to the legendary career of Virgil Van Dijk, and many other players.

The build-up to the 2026 World Cup has been one of the most turbulent in living memory, and with less than a fortnight to go until the tournament kicks off, yet another nation has seen their preparations thrown into serious jeopardy, this time by a visa crisis that’s left an entire squad stranded thousands of miles from where they need to be.

The problems surrounding this summer’s competition, co-hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, have been well documented. The shadow of Donald Trump’s administration has loomed large over proceedings from the very beginning, with travel restrictions, diplomatic tensions and logistical complications creating headaches for competing nations that would’ve been simply unimaginable at any previous World Cup.

The most striking example to date has been the Iran national team, who were forced to relocate their entire training camp across the border into Mexico after concerns around operating within the United States following their recent conflict made their original plans untenable.

The situation laid bare just how politically charged this tournament has become before a single ball has been kicked. But Iran isn’t alone, and the latest nation to find themselves caught up in the chaos will be hoping their situation is resolved rather swiftly.

South Africa Caught Up in World Cup Visa Chaos

Despite not being on Trump’s travel ban list, the South African Football Association has surprisingly confirmed that Bafana Bafana were unable to depart for North America as originally planned, after visa complications arose for a number of players and officials within the squad. It’s a large blow to a side who face one of the toughest possible opening fixtures, a match against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca, in what will be the first match of the tournament.

Every day spent in Johannesburg rather than acclimatising in Mexico City is a day of preparation lost, and with the clock ticking down rapidly, the pressure on SAFA’s officials to find a resolution gets bigger with every passing day. The association has confirmed an Emergency Committee Meeting, with a further update to be communicated to the nation once discussions have concluded. In the meantime, the squad will continue training at home.

South Africa’s Full Statement Ahead of the World Cup

Speaking on their website after seeing their players and staff denied visas to enter Mexico, the SAFA have released the following statement:

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) wishes to update the nation on Bafana Bafana’s travel plans to Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match of the global tournament against the hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the team’s preparations for the tournament remain on track and in the meantime, Bafana Bafana will continue to train in Johannesburg until departure.

This year’s World Cup will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has revealed the toughest challenge of his career at Old Trafford so far, in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT.

The 22-year-old striker scored 11 goals in his first season with the club following a £74m move from RB Leipzig last summer, ending the campaign as the club’s joint top scorer alongside Bryan Mbeumo, as the team secured Champions League football for next season by finishing third in the Premier League.

Fans have been delighted by the impact the Slovenia international has made, having scored big goals against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Everton, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

Exclusive: Sesko Reveals Toughest Man Utd Challenge

Sesko initially struggled for game time under Ruben Amorim, and suffered with some injuries during the campaign, before really finding form under Michael Carrick’s management.

But when asked by GIVEMESPORT correspondent Sam Cohen what the toughest challenge has been since making the switch to the Premier League, the striker admitted that the speed of the division forced him to change his game.

“I think the hardest challenge here was adapting to the league,” he said. “It’s the best league. Just the speed of everything, you needed time to get used to it.

“Each game helped me to make me faster, think faster, to move faster, and I think I’m really enjoying it.”

Sesko was then asked if he enjoys that pressure, having joined the club for a big fee, and he admitted it’s something he thrives off.

“Personally, I enjoy pressure,” he said. “I think if you have pressure, it’s something that you’re doing good, in the sense of the pressure has to come from something.

“Lets say me as a striker of Manchester United, it’s to bring the goals. That’s why I’m here, that’s what I want to bring. Of cousrse I should have pressure, but pressure should always be a privilege. Something that you can take as a positive, because in the end I came here to score goals, to help the team, and as I want, to win the titles at this club.”

Sesko: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Was My Idol

Sesko’s athleticism and technical quality have seen fans take to him well at Old Trafford, with many believing that he is the long-term number nine at the club.

His style of play has often drawn comparisons to the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who spent the best part of two seasons with the club a decade ago, and made a big impression on fans too.

And during his interview with GIVEMESPORT, the Slovenian admitted that the legendary Swede was his footballing idol growing up.

“My idol is Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he said.

“Great player, of course. He was amazing. I looked at him a lot, but not just him.

“Just in general football, skills, goals, it was just something that I used to try to go out and copy. It could be in the summer when it’s really hot, I just wanted to get better.”