WC through Omani eyes: stars pick favourites and contenders

MUSCAT, JUNE 13
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are underway, football enthusiasts across the globe have already begun debating potential champions, standout players and the matches they eagerly await. In Oman, several current and former national team stars shared their thoughts on the teams they will support, their tournament favourites and the technical lessons on how Oman’s football can learn from the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
Top performance
Former Oman national team player Mohammed Ismail admitted that his first football love remains Italy although the Azzurri failed to secure qualification for the upcoming tournament. “My favourite team has always been Italy, but since they did not qualify, I will support Spain,” he said. “Spain are playing modern football as they have excellent players and Rodri is my favourite player. He is one of the main reasons I support the team. Spain are achieving results and consistently delivering top performances.” He added
Mohammed believes that France, Spain, Argentina and Portugal are among the leading contenders for the title, although he warned against overlooking traditional football giants. “Germany, England and Brazil can always be among the top teams if they managed to reach finals. However, France and Spain appear to have the strongest chances based on their current level,” he explained.
The former international player prefers to watch matches from home rather than in public venues. “I always enjoy analysing matches from a technical perspective. Watching from home allows me to focus and form my own opinions without distractions,” he said.
Mohammed emphasised that navigating the knockout rounds will be the true test of any title contender. “The real excitement of the World Cup starts in the knockout stages. Experience becomes crucial and this is where the best-prepared teams reveal their quality.”
Reflecting on Oman’s ambitions, he expressed optimism that the national team can eventually reach football’s biggest stage. “We have come close on several occasions. We must study how other nations built successful projects and qualified for the World Cup. I am optimistic that Oman can achieve this dream in the future.” He ended
Portugal and Ronaldo
Oman’s current striker Mohsin al Ghassani will be backing Portugal during the tournament, largely because of his admiration for legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo. “Portugal will be my team,” Al Ghassani said. “Ronaldo remains a major reason why I support them and I believe he will deliver his outmost technical efforts in order to achieve the desired target.”
When asked about the strongest contenders for the trophy, Al Ghassani highlighted France and Brazil, while stressing that teamwork will be the decisive factor. “The biggest difference in World Cup tournaments comes from collective play. Teams succeed when they work as a group rather than relying on individuals. The teams with more stars will get better chances to go further away in the globe tournament.”
Al Ghassani also believes Oman can learn valuable lessons from nations making their World Cup debut. “We can benefit from studying the strategies, plans and pathways of countries that qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Oman team were very close to the World Cup dream many times and now we need to work on the areas which will assist us in meeting this target, ” he noted.
The national team forward enjoys watching matches alongside friends and revealed that he is particularly excited about the quarter-final stage, where the tournament often produces its most dramatic encounters.
World Champions Argentina
Meanwhile, Oman attacker Abdulrahman al Mushaifri has chosen to support defending world champions Argentina. “Argentina is my favourite team because of Lionel Messi. I see they can defend their title in this edition of the World Cup,” he said.
Al Mushaifri views Spain as the leading candidate to lift the trophy and believes the greatest lesson for Omani football is understanding the determination required to reach the World Cup.
“The passion to qualify and the commitment needed to get there are lessons we must embrace in the coming years,” he explained.
He prefers watching matches from home and is especially looking forward to seeing the Arab nations compete on football’s grandest stage.
Loyal to Brazil
Former Oman international player, Khalid al Hajri, remains loyal to Brazil as a team he has supported since childhood. “My favourite player has always been Ronaldo,” he said.
Al Hajri identified France, Portugal and Argentina as the leading contenders for the title while highlighting the importance of fan support and atmosphere in shaping World Cup memories. “The dream of reaching the World Cup remains alive for Oman. Nothing is impossible in football,” he said.
He enjoys following matches with friends and revealed that a potential clash between Morocco and Brazil would be one of the fixtures he would most like to witness during the tournament.