Argentina’s Qatar World Cup-winning hero Emiliano Martinez is once again in the spotlight. This time it is not for his performance on the pitch but for a bold prediction about the 2026 football World Cup that has stirred excitement. The 33-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper claims the title will stay in Argentina at this World Cup too, with arch-rivals Brazil as the opponent in the final.
Taking part in a recent club sponsor event, Martinez also laid out a possible knockout bracket for the entire tournament. By his reckoning, the two Latin American giants Brazil and Argentina, though kept apart in the group stage, would advance round by round to reach the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. That match, he said, would be a tight contest that goes all the way to a tiebreaker, and there Lionel Messi’s side would take the win.
Martinez made a similarly confident prediction before the Qatar World Cup, which later came true. His contribution to Argentina’s title was also significant. So his new forecast has heightened curiosity among fans.
Only a few matches of the 48-team World Cup have been completed. But Martinez has already drawn up his “imaginary quarterfinal” lineup. His list of the final eight features Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands and Mexico.
The most striking element of his forecast is the absence of Spain. Although many consider Spain among the title favorites, Martinez believes Spain will lose to Argentina in the round of 16 and be knocked out.
In his match-by-match breakdown, France beat Norway, Germany beat Turkey, the Netherlands beat the United States, Brazil advance past Japan, and Mexico beat South Korea. In the quarterfinals, England lose to Colombia. Argentina then lose to France, Germany beat the Netherlands, and Brazil knock out Mexico.
In the semifinals, Martinez sees history repeating itself again. He reckons Argentina, as in 1986, will beat England, with the match settled on a tiebreaker. In the other semifinal, Brazil lose to Germany.
Finally, by his prediction, Argentina beat arch-rivals Brazil in the final to become world champions once again, as happened in that memorable Copa America final.
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