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Report by TribunJatim.com journalist, Khairul Amin

SURABAYA – The excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has reached Indonesia.

This edition of the world’s biggest football tournament is set to be the largest in history.

For the first time, the competition will take place in three host nations, featuring 48 participating teams, an increase from the previous 32-team format.

Madura United defender Novan Setya Sasongko is among those feeling the growing excitement for the upcoming tournament.

The right-back believes the 2026 World Cup will be even more thrilling due to the expanded list of participants.

“But I’m backing France,” Novan told TribunJatim.com on Friday (May 29, 2026).

The player, born on November 26, 1989, shared several reasons why he considers France his top favourite to lift the trophy this time around.

“From what I see, their squad is evenly strong across all positions,” Novan emphasised.

At the 2026 World Cup, France will be led by captain Kylian Mbappe and supported by other star players such as N’Golo Kante.

France qualified for the 2026 World Cup with an impressive record, finishing as Group D winners in the UEFA European Qualifiers.

In the group stage draw, France was placed in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.

France has won the World Cup twice in history — in 1998 and 2018 — and finished as runners-up in 2006 and 2022.

Although he expects France to triumph in 2026, Novan believes that Group F will be one of the most competitive groups in the tournament.

“The group that will be really intense is the one with the Netherlands, Group F. It’s going to be exciting,” Novan Setya Sasongko added.

Group F in the 2026 World Cup consists of the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.

The Netherlands, despite consistently fielding star-studded squads, have never won the World Cup in their history.

The Dutch have finished as runners-up three times — in 1974, 1978, and 2010 — and secured third place once, at the 2014 World Cup.

Similarly, Sweden has yet to claim a World Cup title. The Scandinavian side finished as runners-up once in 1958, took third place twice in 1950 and 1994, and finished fourth in 1938.

Meanwhile, Japan is considered a serious challenger. Although the team known as the “Samurai Blue” has yet to achieve major success at the World Cup, they continue to show steady progress.