Mohamed Salah believes the upcoming 2026 World Cup will be one of the most unpredictable editions of the tournament in recent years, saying there is no obvious favourite heading into the competition.
The Egyptian forward shared his view as anticipation continues to build ahead of the World Cup, which will bring together national teams from across the globe in a tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The competition is expected to be the largest in football history, with 48 teams taking part for the first time.
Speaking about the title race, Salah suggested that the balance between nations has become increasingly competitive, making it difficult to identify a standout contender before the opening matches.
He said:
“I think this World Cup is very open. Every country is coming with strong ambition, and honestly, I don’t see a clear favourite. All the teams are ready to fight for it, so I’ll simply say—may Ghana 🇬🇭 win.”
Salah’s comments reflect the growing belief among players and analysts that the expanded tournament format could produce unexpected results and intensify competition among participating nations.
The Egyptian star’s mention of Ghana national football team has also attracted attention across African football circles, with many supporters interpreting the remark as a gesture of continental solidarity ahead of the tournament.
African nations are expected to play a significant role at the World Cup, with several teams arriving after strong qualifying campaigns and increasing international expectations.
Salah’s assessment that there is “no clear favourite” comes at a time when many traditional football powers are undergoing periods of transition, while emerging teams continue to close the competitive gap on the global stage.
The tournament will feature defending world champions Argentina national football team alongside other major contenders from Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.
However, the expanded format and demanding schedule across North America are expected to create additional challenges for teams throughout the competition.
The World Cup will be played across multiple cities in three countries, requiring extensive travel and adaptation from players and coaching staff.
Those conditions have contributed to growing discussion about whether the tournament could produce more surprises than previous editions.
Salah remains one of the most recognisable footballers in the world and one of Africa’s leading sporting figures, meaning his comments on the competition are likely to resonate strongly among supporters.
Although Egypt national football team are not referenced in his remarks, the forward’s focus appeared to be on the broader competitiveness of the tournament rather than any individual nation’s prospects.
His statement also underlined the sense of excitement surrounding the World Cup, where many teams are expected to enter with realistic hopes of progressing deep into the competition.
With the tournament approaching, Salah’s view captures the uncertainty and anticipation surrounding what many expect to be one of the most open World Cups in modern football history.
