The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star believes England possesses the quality and experience needed to challenge for football’s biggest prize, while also identifying Japan as a team capable of making a significant impact on the global stage.
England last won the World Cup in 1966 on home soil, and Beckham feels the time has come for the nation to reclaim football’s most coveted title after six decades of near misses and heartbreaks.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News, Beckham remained loyal to his country when asked to predict the eventual winners of the tournament.
“I am always going to say England,” Beckham said.
“It’s sixty years now since we [England] last won the World Cup, so it is about time that we win [again this year].”
The former England captain, however, acknowledged that World Cups are often unpredictable, with unexpected teams and players frequently emerging to capture global attention.
“It is never easy. There is always a surprise in a World Cup with either a player or a country that emerges,” he added.
While many of the traditional football powerhouses are expected to be among the favourites, Beckham singled out Japan as a nation capable of exceeding expectations at the 2026 finals.
According to him, the Asian giants have developed into a formidable side and could prove to be one of the tournament’s most dangerous outsiders.
“I think the Japanese team has got a really strong team, they could be kind of a secret,” Beckham stated.
Japan has steadily grown into one of Asia’s leading football nations, consistently qualifying for the World Cup and producing players who compete at the highest levels of European football. Their disciplined style of play, tactical organisation, and emerging generation of talent have earned them growing respect on the international scene.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Beckham’s prediction is likely to fuel optimism among England supporters hoping to see their team end a 60-year wait for global football glory.