As one of Barcelona and Spain’s most iconic defenders, Gerard Piqué didn’t just observe “La Roja’s” preparations for the 2026 World Cup from a distance—he jumped into the conversation with a bold set of predictions that have ignited plenty of discussion.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Panorth Stadium. With the tournament drawing near, football legends have been sharing their forecasts on which teams and players might shine, often during Q&A sessions on platforms like TikTok.
Piqué didn’t hold back, declaring that Spain will win the World Cup this time—securing their second title in history after their 2010 triumph, in which he himself played a key role.
But what caught the most attention was his unwavering belief that Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, won’t just be an ordinary player in the tournament—he’ll claim the “Golden Ball” as the best player of the World Cup.
Piqué went on to outline a full list of scenarios he believes will unfold during the tournament. Here are his six complete predictions:
– **Breakout player (fast riser):** Armando González (Mexico)
– **Top scorer:** Kylian Mbappé (France)
– **Biggest disappointment:** Brazil
– **Surprise team:** Morocco
– **Final match:** Spain vs. France (winner: Spain)
– **Best player:** Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Piqué’s predictions don’t stop there. In a TikTok video, he elaborated further: “There’s one month left. I know things.” The clip featured his list as text overlays: breakout star Armando González, top scorer Mbappé, disappointing Brazil, surprising Morocco, final between Spain and France with Spain winning, and best player Lamine Yamal.
While some fans applaud his confidence, others question whether Spain can repeat history—and whether his call on Brazil’s failure will prove accurate. Time will tell, but Piqué has certainly added fuel to the World Cup anticipation.