New Delhi, July 11, 2026;
Robin Singh World Cup predictions have put England and Argentina in focus ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, with the former India striker backing France as the strongest title contender.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its quarter-final stage, former India footballer Robin Singh believes England are set to face their toughest challenge of the tournament against Norway, while defending champions Argentina will have to overcome a determined Switzerland side to keep their title defence alive.
Sharing his views ahead of the last-eight clashes, Singh said France have emerged as the most balanced side in the competition and are his leading choice to lift the World Cup trophy. The French side secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco to book a place in the semi-finals, while Spain also advanced after defeating Belgium.
According to Singh, France have impressed not only with their attacking strength but also with their defensive consistency. He noted that the team possesses multiple match-winners, making it difficult for opponents to neutralize their threat by focusing on a single player. Consecutive clean sheets, he added, underline the side’s growing defensive stability.
The former striker also highlighted the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot, saying it is likely to remain a contest between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. He believes the final outcome will largely depend on how long Argentina and France stay in the competition. Singh credited Mbappe’s performances to the unity within the French squad and the positive relationship between the players and coaching staff.
Looking ahead to England’s meeting with Norway, Singh described it as the most competitive quarter-final fixture. He praised Norway’s improving teamwork, particularly the partnership between captain Martin Odegaard and striker Erling Haaland, saying their understanding has become one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Despite Norway’s impressive campaign, Singh feels England’s depth and experience could ultimately prove decisive. He pointed out that England’s squad is filled with players regularly competing at the highest level in the Premier League, giving them an important edge in high-pressure knockout matches.
On Argentina’s upcoming clash with Switzerland, Singh expects a close contest and believes the South American champions will be tested throughout the match. However, he feels Lionel Messi’s ability to influence crucial moments could once again make the difference and predicted Argentina may require extra time to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Reacting to the refereeing debate surrounding Argentina’s Round of 16 victory over Egypt, Singh said teams should concentrate on their own performances rather than officiating decisions, stressing that players must remain focused on executing their game plans.
Singh also welcomed the impact of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, saying the tournament has demonstrated that the gap between traditional football powers and emerging nations is steadily narrowing. He added that the performances of smaller countries continue to inspire developing football nations around the world.
While maintaining France as his strongest contender for the championship, Singh admitted he is less certain about Argentina’s chances of reaching the final after watching their recent performances in the knockout stage.
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