Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye believes France have emerged as the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing he switched his support to Les Bleus after his original choice, Germany, crashed out of the tournament.
The Udinese goalkeeper made the prediction while attending the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Show during Paris Fashion Week, where he was interviewed by Dazed alongside American rapper Cardi B.
Asked to name the team he expects to lift football’s biggest prize, Okoye admitted his loyalties changed after Germany’s early elimination.
“I was rooting for Germany, but unfortunately we are out already, so I think I’ll go with France,” the Nigeria international said.
His prediction came before France booked their place in the World Cup semi finals, with Didier Deschamps’ side strengthening their credentials by defeating Morocco 2-0 in Boston to continue their march towards a third world title.
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Les Bleus have been among the standout performers at the tournament, progressing through the group stage with a perfect record before navigating the knockout rounds with impressive victories to reach the last four.
France opened their campaign with wins over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before eliminating Sweden in the Round of 32, Paraguay in the Round of 16 and Morocco in the quarterfinals.
The victory over Morocco also extended France’s defensive dominance, with Deschamps’ men keeping three consecutive clean sheets in the knockout phase while demonstrating the balance between their attacking firepower and defensive organisation.
Okoye’s revised prediction followed Germany’s disappointing exit from the competition.
The four-time world champions began the tournament with victories over Curaçao and Ivory Coast but suffered a setback against Ecuador in their final group match before their campaign ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
Nigeria, meanwhile, were absent from the tournament after failing to qualify from the African qualifying series, leaving Okoye to watch the competition from afar.
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France are now within touching distance of a third FIFA World Cup crown, having previously lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998 before reclaiming it in Russia two decades later.
