France have arrived at the 2026 World Cup carrying enormous expectations, and one legendary former player believes they deserve every bit of the attention.

Thierry Henry, who won the World Cup with France back in 1998, has publicly named his country as the leading contender for the tournament.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Henry was clear about where he stands on the matter heading into the competition.

“I see France as the top contender – partly because I’m French, but also because we’ve reached the last two finals,” Henry said.

It is difficult to argue with that assessment given France’s recent record in major tournaments, having won in 2018 and reached another final in 2022.

Didier Deschamps has built a squad loaded with elite-level talent, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, giving France options across every position.

Henry was equally keen to acknowledge that several other powerhouses carry genuine title-winning potential heading into the expanded 48-team tournament.

“Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and England are also promising candidates,” he said, before adding that surprises from Norway or Senegal were very much possible.

Argentina arrive as defending champions and will be dangerous, while Spain’s young and technically sharp squad makes them a constant threat in tournament football.

Henry also addressed Germany specifically, offering a nuanced take on a nation searching to rediscover their best form on the international stage.

“As for Germany, I’m waiting for them to rediscover their best form. Germany has qualified, and that’s the most important thing,” he said.

He added a warm but pointed message for Julian Nagelsmann and his squad, noting that reduced pressure can sometimes bring out the best in a team.

“Sometimes you can even play better with less pressure. In any case, I wish Julian Nagelsmann and his team all the best – unless they play against France,” Henry said.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of Henry’s predictions is the inclusion of Norway and Senegal as potential dark horses capable of shocking the competition.

Norway carry serious attacking firepower and, if their key players click, they have the quality to beat almost anyone on a given night.

Senegal bring physicality, pace, and knockout-round experience, making them a genuinely uncomfortable draw for any of the tournament favourites.

World Cups rarely follow a predictable script, and Henry’s nod to those two nations serves as a timely reminder that upsets remain very much on the table in 2026.

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