World Cup 2026 news: William Gallas backs "surprise" team to cause upset as France verdict delivered

The 2026 World Cup is present good underway, with the archetypal circular of radical signifier matches astir complete.

There person been a fig of standout performances truthful far, including France's 3-1 triumph implicit Senegal, England's 4-2 triumph implicit Croatia, Argentina's 3-0 occurrence implicit Algeria and Germany's 7-1 battering of Curacao.

However, determination person besides been plentifulness of upsets, with the likes of Spain and Brazil held to draws by Cape Verde and Morocco respectively.

Speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, erstwhile France planetary William Gallas, who started the 2006 World Cup last wherever Les Bleus were beaten connected penalties by Italy, has delivered his verdict connected the tournament.

France tipped to "go precise far" astatine the 2026 World Cup

Unsurprisingly, Gallas is feeling assured astir France's chances this twelvemonth pursuing their triumph implicit Senegal, with Didier Deschamps's broadside boasting a wealthiness of attacking options.

"France looked precise beardown successful the 2nd half, but it was a small spot hard for them against Senegal, due to the fact that Senegal were attacking but astatine the aforesaid clip they were defending precise deep," Gallas told Sports Mole on behalf of talkSPORT Bet.

"It was hard for France to find space, particularly for Kylian Mbappe. As we saw, thing tin happen, particularly erstwhile you've got prime players similar Michael Olise and I'm not acrophobic for them, I deliberation they volition spell precise acold successful the competition."

Gallas makes "surprise" prime to "do well" astatine the 2026 World Cup

Gallas besides believes Morocco volition person a beardown showing astatine this year's tournament, having impressed successful their 1-1 gully with Brazil on Saturday.

"Morocco looked bully against Brazil," Gallas added. After that result, they mightiness beryllium disappointed, but they could beryllium a squad to make a surprise. 

"Cape Verde, to gully against Spain is not easy. They tin origin problems for their opponents, but astatine the aforesaid time, Spain person the prime to bounce back. 

"I deliberation Morocco would beryllium my prime to bash well."

Morocco were the astonishment bundle astatine the 2022 World Cup, knocking retired Spain and Portugal arsenic they reached the semi-finals. It was the archetypal clip an African federation has reached the semi-finals and Morocco volition beryllium looking to spell each the way this year.