Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has shared his predictions for the major individual awards at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with the teams he believes could surprise many fans.
In his latest column, Merson backed France captain Kylian Mbappé as his choice for the Golden Ball award, while also tipping England skipper Harry Kane to win the Golden Boot.
According to Merson, both players are expected to play key roles for their countries and could dominate the tournament if they reach the latter stages.
He described Mbappé as a natural choice for the Golden Ball, noting his goal threat and ability to influence big matches, especially if France enjoy a strong run in the competition.
For the Golden Boot, Merson believes Harry Kane stands a strong chance, although he admitted the race could be tight between the England striker and Mbappé.
Merson also highlighted Colombia and Mexico as potential surprise teams at the tournament.
He said Colombia have the quality to shock bigger nations, especially with conditions such as heat and humidity likely to play a role in the competition.
The former midfielder also praised Mexico, pointing out that despite not going through traditional qualifying due to their host status, they have recorded strong results in recent times and should not be underestimated.
With the World Cup approaching, Merson’s predictions add to growing debate over which stars and teams will shine on football’s biggest stage.