As the football world turns the page on 2025, focus has quickly shifted to what the game could look like in 2026.
Former Liverpool defender and now outspoken pundit Jamie Carragher has been quick to weigh in, offering his predictions for some of the biggest prizes in the sport — including the Premier League title, the Champions League, the World Cup, and the Ballon d’Or. As expected, his views have already sparked plenty of debate among fans.
Although Carragher’s playing career yielded just one major trophy — the unforgettable Champions League triumph with Liverpool in 2005 — his influence since retirement has arguably been even greater. Known for his strong opinions and fearless analysis, Carragher has carried that reputation into the new year by making several eye-catching forecasts about what lies ahead.
The 2025 season was anything but predictable. Clubs not usually associated with silverware, such as Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, St Mirren and Aberdeen, all enjoyed rare moments of success. Whether 2026 will deliver similar surprises remains uncertain, but Carragher has clearly outlined how he believes the footballing year will unfold.
Premier League prediction
In his column for The Telegraph, Carragher named Arsenal as his choice to win the Premier League in 2026. The Gunners have not lifted the league title since their famous Invincibles season in 2004, but their current position at the top of the table — four points ahead of Manchester City — has convinced him that this could finally be their year.
Carragher pointed to Arsenal’s balanced and well-structured squad as a major strength. He highlighted the team’s solid foundation, built around a reliable goalkeeper, strong centre-back pairing and the presence of Declan Rice in midfield. In his view, this core gives Arsenal the best chance of ending their long wait for domestic glory.
However, he also cautioned that the title race is far from straightforward. Injuries, he suggested, could derail Arsenal’s momentum, especially as the season enters its decisive stages. Carragher also refused to rule out Manchester City, warning that if Pep Guardiola’s side remain within touching distance, the pressure could begin to weigh heavily on Arsenal — and particularly on their supporters.
World Cup prediction
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Carragher believes the tournament will be the defining sporting event of the year. While he expects England, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, to make a deep run, he does not see them lifting the trophy.
Instead, Carragher has backed France to become world champions once again. He praised the incredible depth and quality within the French squad, noting their impressive recent history of reaching the final in the last two World Cups.
According to Carragher, Didier Deschamps’ experience and pragmatic tactical approach make France perfectly suited to tournament football. He also emphasized their combination of speed, skill and physicality as qualities that make them a nightmare matchup in the knockout stages.
Ballon d’Or prediction
With France predicted to win the World Cup, Carragher believes the Ballon d’Or winner in 2026 will also come from the French camp. Although Ousmane Dembélé claimed the award in 2025, Carragher expects Kylian Mbappé to be the standout individual of the year.
While he tipped Declan Rice to win both the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards, Carragher acknowledged that the Ballon d’Or usually favors the star performer from the World Cup-winning nation.
Having already finished third in previous voting behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, Mbappé could finally secure football’s most prestigious individual prize if France lift the trophy.
Whether these predictions prove accurate remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Carragher’s bold calls will be closely examined once 2026 comes to an end.
