It is not just anyone who now speaks out about what he thinks about this summer’s World Cup. – The French superstar, who was the top scorer with Arsenal in the Premier League four times, has won the World Cup in 1998 in addition to winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Football legend points to two “surprise teams” that can win the World Cup and Norway is one!
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Football legend Thierry Henry probably has more idea than most. He himself has won the World Championship. Now he points out two teams he believes can shock the entire football world and go all the way to the top in the 2026 World Cup – in addition to his own favorites, mind you.
This summer’s championship is organized by the USA, Canada and Mexico, and started today, June 11, at the Estadio Azteca. The opening match is between the host nation Mexico and South Africa.
A total of 48 nations are participating, and all of them dream of lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Argentina will defend their title, while France, Spain, England and Brazil are among the teams with enough quality to go all the way. But Henry has seen something else.
Henry on the favourites: “France has a huge advantage”
Arsenal legend Henry knows what it takes to win the World Cup. He himself helped take France’s first title in 1998.
Now Didier Deschamps is leading France into a new tournament – for the very last time. The 57-year-old has put together a strong team, and Les Bleus are aiming for their third World Cup gold. Henry thinks they are favorites.
“I see France as the biggest challenger. Partly because I’m French, but also because we’ve reached the last two finals,” Henry told Sports Illustrated.
When asked about France’s foremost strength, he replied:
– On the bench. It sounds simple, but squad depth is crucial. When the substitutes are at the same level as the starting eleven, you have a huge advantage – especially in such a long tournament after an intense season.
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Henry: “Watch out for Norway and Senegal”
When Henry spoke to GMS, he also mentioned other nations he believes are “promising candidates” to win the championship.
“Spain, Argentina, Portugal and England are also promising candidates. Surprises like Norway or Senegal are quite possible.
“As for Germany, I’m still waiting for them to find their best form. Germany has qualified, and that is the most important thing. Sometimes you can play better with less pressure. I wish Julian Nagelsmann and his team all the best – unless they play France, of course.
France, Senegal and Norway have all been drawn in the same very tough group. Nevertheless, Henry believes that all three teams can win the tournament.
He added:
“Senegal have always had special players, but they have struggled in the past to cross the finish line and win an AFCON title. They have done that now, and since the team from 2002, they have never looked back.
“Senegal is a dangerous team for France. Go back to Argentina against Cameroon in 1990. If you are not ready from the start, it is dangerous. You also have to understand that Senegal plays differently against us – because of the colonial era and what has happened historically. Beating France is huge for them. Norway is also in our group. It’s the two teams I’ve told everyone to watch out for.
“It’s good for France to start like this. Then you have to be ready from the start. There will be no easy matches, and you are playing against two outstanding teams.
Senegal has never made it past the quarter-finals of a World Cup. Norway’s best placement is from 1998, when they reached the round of eight.
Why Norway can win it all – here’s the squad that will shock the world
| Name | Position | Club | Born | Matches | Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ørjan Håskjold Nyland | Goalkeeper | Sevilla F.C. | 1990 | 71 | 0 |
| Sander Tangvik | Goalkeeper | Hamburger SV | 2002 | 0 | 0 |
| Egil Selvik | Goalkeeper | Watford FC | 1997 | 7 | 0 |
| Kristoffer Vassbakk Köpp Ajer | Defense | Brentford FC | 1998 | 52 | 2 |
| Leo Skiri Østigård | Defense | Genoa CFC | 1999 | 38 | 1 |
| David Møller Wolfe | Defense | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2002 | 22 | 1 |
| Fredrik André Bjørkan | Defense | FK Bodø-Glimt | 1998 | 21 | 1 |
| Marcus Holmgren Pedersen | Defense | Torino FC | 2000 | 32 | 0 |
| Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem | Defense | Bologna F.C. 1909 | 1999 | 15 | 0 |
| Sondre Klingen Langås | Defense | Derby County FC | 2001 | 3 | 0 |
| Henrik Sælebakke Falchener | Defense | Viking Football Club | 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| Julian Ryerson | Defense | Borussia Dortmund | 1997 | 43 | 1 |
| Morten Thorsby | Midfield | Cremonese S.P.A. | 1996 | 31 | 0 |
| Patrick Berg | Midfield | FK Bodø-Glimt | 1997 | 43 | 0 |
| Sander Berge | Midfield | Fulham FC | 1998 | 66 | 1 |
| Martin Ødegaard | Midfield | Arsenal FC | 1998 | 68 | 5 |
| Fredrik Aursnes | Midfield | SL Benfica | 1995 | 22 | 1 |
| Kristian Thorstvedt | Midfield | Sassuolo | 1999 | 37 | 4 |
| Thelonious Aasgaard | Midfield | Rangers FC | 2002 | 8 | 5 |
| Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa | Midfield | RB Leipzig | 2005 | 24 | 8 |
| Andreas Rædergård Schjelderup | Midfield | SL Benfica | 2004 | 12 | 1 |
| Oscar Bobb | Midfield | Fulham FC | 2003 | 20 | 2 |
| Jens Petter Hauge | Midfield | FK Bodø-Glimt | 1999 | 15 | 1 |
| Alexander Sørloth | Attack | Atlético de Madrid | 1995 | 72 | 26 |
| Erling Braut Haaland | Attack | Manchester City FC | 2000 | 50 | 55 |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | Attack | Crystal Palace | 2000 | 28 | 6 |
Can it really happen? Can Norway row to a World Cup gold? With Thierry Henry’s words behind him and this squad on the pitch – who knows?
