Former France international Thierry Henry, renowned for his sharp footballing intellect, has offered his predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a surprising endorsement for a relatively unknown French midfielder and a trio of dark horse nations. Henry, a World Cup winner himself, believes AS Roma’s Manu Koné is poised to make a significant impact for Didier Deschamps’ squad.
Koné, the quiet force in midfield
Henry, who coached Koné during his tenure with the French Olympic team that secured a silver medal at the Paris Games, highlighted the 24-year-old as a player flying under the radar. “I’m not saying that he’s going to have a brilliant World Cup or not have a brilliant World Cup. I don’t know, but there’s a guy that people don’t know much about, and he plays for Roma. I had him at the Olympics. It’s Manu Koné. He is, for me right now, one of the best holding midfielders out there. He’s going about his life in a quiet way,” Henry told SPORTbible.
Koné, who came through the ranks at Toulouse before joining Borussia Mönchengladbach, has featured 36 times for AS Roma this term and earned 12 caps for France. Henry drew a comparison between Koné’s industrious style and Liverpool cult hero Dirk Kuyt, suggesting fans will appreciate his relentless effort and commitment to the team.
Koné’s inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ 26-player squad for the upcoming tournament places him alongside star names like Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and captain Kylian Mbappé. However, the squad also sees some notable absences, including Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga. France’s World Cup campaign is set to begin against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.
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Henry’s dark horse predictions
Beyond France, Henry also identified three nations he believes could spring a surprise in 2026. He tipped Senegal, Morocco, and Norway as potential dark horses. Morocco famously reached the semifinals of the last World Cup in Qatar, demonstrating their capability on the global stage.
Norway, meanwhile, is set to make their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998. Their qualification campaign was impressive, as they easily won their group, securing victories over Italy both home and away. Henry’s confidence in the Scandinavian side was succinct: “Don’t sleep on Norway,” he advised SPORTbible.
Henry’s insights provide an intriguing look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting a blend of established talent and potential breakout stars, alongside nations capable of challenging the traditional powerhouses.
Sources: www.sportbible.com, www.instagram.com
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