World Cup 2026: Super Eagles star Okoye picks title favourite – ‘I was rooting for Germany’

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed the team he believes will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his original favourites, Germany, crashed out of the tournament, soccernet.ng/wp/ reports.

The 26-year-old Udinese shot-stopper made the prediction while attending the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Show during Paris Fashion Week. The former Watford goalie seated in the front row of the Paris event alongside American rap star Cardi B. Okoye was interviewed by Dazed at the event and was asked which country he expected to go all the way in the competition.

The Nigerian international admitted that he had been supporting Germany before their elimination, but quickly switched his backing to France, one of the strongest teams left in the tournament.

When asked about his World Cup favourite, Okoye said:

“I was rooting for Germany, but, unfortunately, we are out already, so I think I’ll go with France.”

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup: France thriving as Germany's struggles continue

Okoye's prediction comes at a time when France are among the leading contenders for the trophy. Les Bleus reached the quarter-finals after a dominant run through the tournament, collecting a perfect nine points in Group I.

The French side defeated Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0 and Norway 4-1 before beating Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32. They then edged Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, setting up a quarter-final clash against Morocco on Thursday night.

Germany's campaign followed a very different path. Despite opening with a 7-1 victory over Curaçao and a 2-1 win against Ivory Coast, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in their final group match. Their tournament ended in the Round of 32 after a 1-1 draw with Paraguay, who won the penalty shootout.

France lifted the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022, while Germany have now failed to reach the last 16 in three consecutive tournaments.