As the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues across the USA, Canada and Mexico, former English footballer-turned pundit Paul Masefield has described the tournament so far as a “hit and miss.”
In an interview with Firstpost, Masefield said some teams have exceeded expectations while others have failed to deliver on their reputations. He made these comments a few days back when all teams were yet to play their opening game at the 2026 edition.
“Hit and miss. I think that some teams have looked good, some teams have overachieved, and some teams have failed to live up to their reputation. So, I think that we’re in for a real, real exciting World Cup here. Some of the big guns haven’t performed on the opening day,” he said.
3/32#FIFAWorldCup— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 20, 2026
He pointed to early performances from teams like Germany and Spain as examples of the unpredictable nature of this World Cup, adding that it is still too early to judge the overall quality of the competition. Germany thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 in their tournament opener, while Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by another debutant, Cape Verde.
“You look at Germany, you look at that performance. We only have to look at what happened with Spain and that performance. So, yeah, you’re going to get hit and miss, particularly in the first round. But yeah, there’s still plenty of scope,” he added.
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Masefield backs expansion to 48 teams
One of the biggest talking points of this World Cup has been the expansion to 48 teams, and Masefield believes it is a step in the right direction, even if the quality takes a hit. Earlier, only 32 teams took part in a World Cup, which has now been increased to 48 and could be further expanded to 64 teams for the 2030 edition to celebrate 100 years of the tournament.
“It’s a little bit of both. But to develop and to get stronger and better, you have to sometimes take a step back. So, by introducing 48 teams and allowing lesser nations to be able to get in, what that does financially, what that does for a country, what that does to galvanise and build power and momentum behind football in that country itself is nothing short of incredible,” he said.
“So now what you will have is you will have teams desperate to get themselves into the World Cup, purely and simply over that space of time. The teams that have made it are going to have to fight to stay there. So I think that’s what FIFA is all about. And that’s what football is all about. It’s about inclusion. It’s the greatest game in the world. It’s the biggest sport in the world,” Masefield told Firstpost.
1248 players. 48 nations. Locked in. 🔒The Official Squad Lists for #FIFAWorldCup 2026 are here ⤵️— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 2, 2026
1248 players. 48 nations. Locked in. 🔒The Official Squad Lists for #FIFAWorldCup 2026 are here ⤵️
He further stressed that the inclusion of more nations will give developing football countries like India a rare opportunity to take part in the competition.
“You imagine in the next cycle or the cycle after that, if India were to qualify, what would happen? It would be completely brilliant. It would just send waves and waves of football fans all across India into delirium. It would be absolutely unbelievable. So there is now a real opportunity for lesser and developing nations to qualify to the biggest stage, which is the World Cup,” he concluded.
Masefield on tactical trends at this World Cup
On tactical trends, Masefield believes world football may be moving away from possession-heavy styles, and taking the counter-attacking approach. He also praised disciplined defensive performances in initial games, calling Australia’s approach in their opener against Turkiye one of the best defensive displays he has ever seen at a World Cup.
“It’s been a couple of teams hitting me very low blocks. Australia, that was one, the way that they went about their business. Cape Verde, you know, were exactly the same. I think football’s evolved. Again, everybody wanted to play tiki-tac football. Everybody wants to play tiki-tac football. Yet New Zealand showed yesterday how simple and how beautiful the game is. One long ball up to your striker, he brings it down, he brings somebody into play, they go and score a goal,” he said.
Vozinha and Cabo Verde making history 🇨🇻#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/TIEc3lh2GO— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2026
Vozinha and Cabo Verde making history 🇨🇻#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/TIEc3lh2GO
Former footballer speaks on England’s chances
Speaking about England’s chances at the 2026 edition, Masefield was optimistic, highlighting the squad’s unity under manager Thomas Tuchel. He believes England’s strength is its togetherness rather than individual star power, adding that it could take them far in the tournament.
“Everyone’s saying that. Yeah, it’s coming home. No, no, no [laughs]. They’ve got a chance. I think that England’s strength is the fact that it’s a squad, it’s a togetherness. It’s not individuals like we saw in the past, where you had your Liverpool players, your Man Utd players all coming together. And whilst they were a magnificent bunch of players as individuals, they couldn’t gel as a team. And I think that’s what Thomas Tuchel has been brought in to do,” he said.
18 June, 2018: Harry Kane's first and second @FIFAWorldCup goals.17 June, 2026: Harry Kane ninth and tenth @FIFAWorldCup goals.⏪🙌 pic.twitter.com/XttpowFI0C— England (@England) June 18, 2026
18 June, 2018: Harry Kane's first and second @FIFAWorldCup goals.17 June, 2026: Harry Kane ninth and tenth @FIFAWorldCup goals.⏪🙌 pic.twitter.com/XttpowFI0C
“He’s been brought in to be the glue between all these players. Southgate managed to break it down where when you come to represent your country, that’s it. I don’t want any nonsense of club, you leave that at the door. You’re here for us, you’re here for the country. And I think that Tuchel has inherited that. And I think he’s driving that on as well with his team selection. You can see some of the big names that he’s left out purely and simply because he wants a unit, he wants a team, and he’s not so much into the individual. That’s the big, big thing. So I think they can go deep into the tournament. I really do,” he added.
India’s absence and how AIFF can improve
Masefield also addressed India’s continued absence from the World Cup, calling it “a tough pill to swallow,” especially with the expanded format creating more qualification spots. He stressed that stability in domestic football must come first before India could even dream about playing in the World Cup.
“It’s a very tough pill to swallow. I think it is, particularly when you’re at 48. And I think with what’s happened in the ecosystem in Indian football, particularly over the last 12 months, it looks as though it could be all coming to a head where it’s finalised to be able to go again. So I think, you know, if the clubs can be in charge of the ISL, which is what is being reported and that can move forward, I think you’ve got to have that as the first block. You’ve got to get that stability,” he said.
However, he remains hopeful about India’s long-term potential if the right structure is put in place by the AIFF and all stakeholders. His advice comes at a time when Indian football has hit one of its lowest points in recent years, following a delayed and truncated start to its top-tier domestic league and poor performances across all levels, including youth and senior teams.
“So it’s hard. It’s hard to watch because it’s been brilliant watching Indian football evolve and develop over the last 10, 12 years. And now with all countries, it happens with all countries. Bang, you hit a roadblock. You have to take a step back, but you’ve got to go again. And I think when it does this time, when it goes again, it has to be done the right way,” Masefield added.
“And I’m sure the AIFF will ensure that that pyramid can be built so that we can get the elite players performing and playing at Asian Cups and at World Cups. And it’s not a million miles away. If we’ve got nine, 10 spots over here in Asia to go and play in a World Cup, there is no reason why India shouldn’t be competing and vying to go and play in World Cups,” he concluded.
Masefield makes a winner prediction for 2026 World Cup
When asked to pick a winner, Masefield backed Portugal as his favourite, drawing parallels between Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who managed to win the title in the last edition. However, he warned against ruling out traditional powerhouses like Germany and France, noting that early performances suggest they could still become major contenders.
Portugal at the #FIFAWorldCup 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/1fnYwUhVX4— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026
Portugal at the #FIFAWorldCup 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/1fnYwUhVX4
“OK. I’ve got a sneaky inkling. Again, it’s difficult because we haven’t seen all of the teams play yet, but I’m leaning slightly towards Portugal this year. I’ve just got a feeling that what Argentina did for Messi last time out, this Portuguese side is going to do for Ronaldo. If you have a look man for man on the pitch, that Portuguese side and what they have, it could be something special. It could really be something special. So I’m just leaning towards them to go and win the whole competition,” he told Firstpost.
“But don’t be surprised if you see somebody come from the back. I mean, no one’s talking about Germany over the last two editions of the World Cup. They’ve been out in the group stage and yet all of a sudden, yeah, I know they’re playing one of the minnows, but to come out with a performance like that and win 7-1, that’s pretty impressive. So Germany, I think, are back. And I think they just laid down a little marker and a statement there as well. But can they go all the way? Do they have that depth in the squad? I’m not as sure they’ve got enough depth as Portugal and France,” Masefield concluded.
Paul Masefield is part of the expert panel for ZEE5’s FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
