“Whoever beats them will win” - Sir Alex Ferguson picks favorites Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal must beat to win World Cup

Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal should beat Brazil to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. He believes that Selecao are the favorites for the title, as the players are always playing football.

Speaking to Press Box PR, Sir Alex recalled working with Rafael and Fabio at Manchester United, saying that they used to do extremely well in training as they were always interested in football. He added that Brazil are always going to be the favorites for the World Cup and said:

"Portugal have got good players. I always think of Brazil at the World Cup. The Brazilian players—I had the two young lads, twins, Rafael and Fabio. They were first rate in training every day, never wore [tracksuit] bottoms. They have a toughness about them, Brazilians. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing. I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup."

Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to Piers Morgan about the FIFA World Cup earlier this year, revealing that winning the tournament was not his dream. He added that the competition should not determine his GOAT status and said:

"How many World Cups wins [did] Argentina [have] before Messi? How many? I don't know. Two times. I think. Yeah, but it's normal. These countries, they used to win big competitions. Brazil, if they win the World Cup, they will surprise the world. No, if Portugal wins the World Cup, which is possible, they will shock the world.

"Yes. But in my mind, I don't thinking in that way. Of course, you want to win. Yeah. When you compete, you want to win. I'm not I'm honest. For me, I'm not going to change the way I see the things and the way I see the football."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal sealed their place in the FIFA World Cup after finishing on top of their group in the qualifiers.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal not among Lionel Messi's FIFA World Cup favorites

Lionel Messi spoke to ESPN earlier this year, and he named his favorites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He named Spain, France, England, Brazil and Germany as their main competition and said (via MARCA):

"There are some very good teams... Spain, France again, England, Brazil, who also haven't been champions for a long time and want to be champions. Germany, who always wanted to beat Argentina, now even more so after the last World Cup. It's very difficult, but I have no doubt that they will fight for it."

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will be playing at the FIFA World Cup, but Lionel Messi is yet to confirm his participation.