BY MANUEL MARSELIAN
In my second article, “The Countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026: Expert Predictions for Glory,” I invited a distinguished panel of former professional footballers to share their predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Each participant selected the nation they believed would lift the trophy and explained the reasoning behind that choice, drawing on personal playing experience and a deep understanding of the international game.
Now that the tournament has concluded, it is time to revisit those predictions and compare them with what actually unfolded on football’s biggest stage.
I returned to the same panel and asked each expert to reflect on the tournament by answering three follow-up questions:
- Did the best team win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
- Which team exceeded your expectations?
- Which team disappointed you the most?
In the pages that follow, readers will first revisit each participant’s original pre-tournament prediction before reading their post-tournament reflections. Together, these responses provide a unique opportunity to compare expectation with reality and gain fresh insight into one of the most memorable World Cups in history through the eyes of individuals who experienced the game at its highest level.
Artur Aghasyan
A retired Armenian professional forward and LAFC youth academy coach. A former Armenian youth international, he played for Real Salt Lake and was part of Cal FC’s historic 2012 U.S. Open Cup run.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Spain
Yes. Spain was the tournament’s most complete and consistent team. They controlled matches through possession, pressed relentlessly after losing the ball, and displayed tactical discipline and maturity in every phase of play. Their path to the title was especially impressive, with victories over Portugal, Belgium, France, and Argentina in the final. Defeating that caliber of opposition left little doubt that Spain fully deserved to be crowned world champions.
Norway exceeded my expectations the most. They played fearless, well-organized football, eliminated Brazil, and advanced to the quarterfinals. Their intensity, discipline, and unwavering belief made them one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Germany was the tournament’s biggest disappointment. Entering the competition as one of the favorites, they possessed a talented squad and high expectations but failed to live up to either. They struggled to turn possession into clear scoring opportunities, lacked their customary defensive solidity. For a nation with Germany’s rich football tradition and championship pedigree, such an early exit fell well short of expectations.
Hagop Donabedian
Former Lebanese international Hagop Donabedian was a versatile defender who represented Lebanon and played for Homenetmen Beirut, Nejmeh SC, and Salam Zgharta.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Argentina
Spain was a deserving World Cup champion, combining technical quality, tactical discipline, depth, and teamwork better than any other team. They stayed composed under pressure throughout the tournament. I was also surprised by how poorly Argentina played in the final.
Spain exceeded expectations by winning the title with consistently outstanding performances. The United States also impressed with its run to the knockout stage, while Cape Verde was one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
The biggest disappointments were Germany and Brazil. Germany lacked creativity and exited in the Round of 32, while Brazil never found its rhythm or played as a cohesive team, falling short with a Round of 16 exit.
Kevork Garabedian
A former Lebanon international defender and midfielder who had a successful professional career with Ararat Yerevan, Al-Ansar, and Homenetmen Beirut. He earned 19 caps for the Lebanon national team between 1996 and 1999.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Spain or Brazil
I believed in Spain from the very beginning. They were simply the strongest team in the tournament. What impressed me most was their collective play; they never relied on individual stars. If one player was unavailable, another stepped in seamlessly. Their depth, tactical discipline, and teamwork defined modern football.
Germany disappointed me the most. Given their history, talent, and tournament experience, I expected them to make a much deeper run. Instead, they lacked consistency, creativity, and the confidence normally associated with German football.
Egypt was the tournament’s biggest surprise. They exceeded all expectations and earned widespread admiration for their performances. It was unfortunate to see their remarkable journey end the way it did.
Karo Haghverdian
Former Iran international midfielder who represented Iran from 1968 to 1975 and starred for Ararat Tehran and Taj SC, earning respect for his technical ability and tireless work rate.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Spain
From the very beginning, I believed Spain would win the World Cup. They had the tournament’s best midfield, consistently controlling the tempo and flow of matches, and entered as the reigning European champions. Their head coach played a pivotal role in their success. Having previously led Spain’s youth teams to two European titles, he knew the strengths of the emerging generation, trusted them on the biggest stage, and built a complete, disciplined, and cohesive team.
Two teams really impressed me: Egypt, whose playing style nearly led to a shock elimination of Argentina, and Cape Verde, who held Spain to a draw in their opening match before advancing to the Round of 32.
In my opinion, Germany and Brazil were the biggest disappointments. I didn’t necessarily expect either team to win it all, but they should have gone much deeper into the tournament. Both powerhouses have consistently fallen short of expectations in recent World Cups.”
Levon Ishtoyan
Legendary Armenian striker who starred for FC Ararat Yerevan’s historic 1973 Soviet League and Cup double, later founding the Ishtoyan Soccer Academy in Los Angeles.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Too close to call
I believe France had one of the tournament’s youngest, fastest, and most talented squads and should have reached the final. While I still believe France’s midfield was individually stronger than Spain’s, Spain’s discipline, organization, and collective teamwork ultimately made the difference. Their coaching staff also deserves tremendous credit for implementing a clear tactical identity and guiding the team to a deserved World Cup title.
The Netherlands and Brazil were major disappointments, failing to meet expectations despite their talent. Koeman completely abandoned the Netherlands’ footballing identity against Morocco, while I expected Ancelotti to unite Brazil’s gifted individuals into a cohesive team.
Morocco and Egypt, however, were among the tournament’s most inspiring teams. Morocco showed resilience and fighting spirit, while Egypt recovered from a poor start and improved significantly. Both proved that determination, organization, and belief can compete with greater individual talent.
Ara Melkonian
A former Lebanon international striker who joined Homenetmen Beirut’s first-division team at just 16 years old. He represented Lebanon from 1982 to 1985 and was recognized for his skill, finishing ability, and attacking instincts.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Spain
From the very beginning of the tournament, I predicted that Spain would win the World Cup. My confidence in Spain was based not only on the extraordinary talent of its young players but also on the team’s collective mentality. They played for their country rather than for individual recognition or personal glory. Their discipline, unselfish style of play, tactical intelligence, and commitment to the team made them the most complete side in the tournament and ultimately justified my prediction.
The team that exceeded my expectations most was Cape Verde. Despite being underdogs, they showed tremendous heart, resilience, and organization, competing fearlessly against stronger teams and proving they belonged on football’s biggest stage.
On the other hand, Brazil was my biggest disappointment. With the wealth of talent in their squad, I expected them to challenge seriously for the championship. Instead, they never truly came together as a cohesive team and fell well short of the high standards traditionally associated with Brazilian football.
Yura Movsisyan
Former Armenian international striker who played for Real Salt Lake, FC Krasnodar, Spartak Moscow, and Chicago Fire, becoming one of Armenia’s most recognizable forwards.
Pre-Tournement Prediction : Portugal
Armen Sargsyan
A former Armenian defender and member of the legendary Ararat-73 team that won both the Soviet Top League and Soviet Cup. He later became a respected coach and mentor, helping develop generations of young players.
Pre-Tournament Prediction: Argentina
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all participants for generously sharing their time, experience, and expertise. Their thoughtful insights have enriched both the pre-tournament predictions and the post-tournament reflections, offering readers the perspective of individuals who have experienced football at the highest levels.
Predicting a FIFA World Cup champion is far from an exact science. Football has always been as much an art as it is a sport. While talent, preparation, and tactical discipline are essential ingredients for success, the outcome of any match or an entire tournament can also hinge on teamwork, individual moments of brilliance, costly mistakes, injuries, momentum, and, at times, a measure of fortune. That unpredictability is precisely what makes the World Cup the most captivating sporting event on the planet.
As the curtain falls on another unforgettable tournament, football supporters around the world can already begin looking ahead to the next FIFA World Cup. With it will come renewed optimism, bold predictions, unexpected triumphs, heartbreaking disappointments, and unforgettable moments that unite billions of fans across continents and cultures.
Until then, we celebrate the game, honor its champions, and look forward to the next chapter in the beautiful game’s greatest competition.
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