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Final predictions for the World Cup: Champions, Golden Ball, breakout stars and more
The World Cup has arrived! It's time for ESPN's experts to make their picks for silverware, surprise results and everything in between.

Xavier Laine/Getty Images
World Cup Power Rankings: Who are the front-runners with 48 hours to go?

World Cup Rank: The 50 best players in the 2026 tournament


TOP HEADLINES

FIFA WORLD CUP
World Cup Daily: Live updates with one day to go before Mexico vs. South Africa

Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images

FIFA WORLD CUP
Iran's Jahanbakhsh: We're in the U.S. to call for peace and unity

3:34
2026 International Friendly
Lionel Messi doubles Argentina's lead from the penalty spot

0:48
Valentín Barco's sweet volley gives Argentina early lead

1:09
NBA Finals - Game 4NY leads series 2-1
Bare feet, a Hamlet sculpture and quiet fire: How Wemby made this NBA Finals a series

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Is Stephen A. buying Stephon Castle's confidence heading into Game 4?

1:58

ASIAN CONTENDERS
Son has had quite the World Cup journey -- but will 2026 be his final hurrah?

Illustration by ESPN
Japan plan to win the World Cup by 2050. How close will they get in 2026?


UFC FREEDOM 250
Inside the planning and building of a UFC event on federal land

Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Gaethje, Topuria exchange words on 'The Pat McAfee Show'

1:48
Grading bold preseason predictions for all 30 NBA teams

THE GOAT RETURNS!
What we learned from Serena Williams' first match back

Paul Harding/Getty Images
Top Headlines
- LeBron on GOAT debate: Taking nobody over me
- Sources: Barça unlikely to trigger Rashford option
- Iran players: U.S. visa denials create 'tension'
- Mexico City schools to close for World Cup opener
- Dodgers erupt after Skenes exits, rout Pirates
- Eala suffers second round loss to Jovic at Queen's
- Wemby avoids flagrant foul for shoving Brunson
- Somali ref had suspected terror ties, official says
- Messi scores in cameo in front of 88K in Alabama
- College basketballers die in team-building tragedy
ASEAN Club Championship
SPORTFIVE 2026 ASEAN Championship: Fixtures, results, standings, how to watch
The 16th ASEAN Championship -- officially known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 -- will take place from July 24 to Aug. 26.























