Former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Spain deserve to be crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions, insisting their fearless style of football has made them the tournament’s standout team, while describing England’s semi-final defeat by Argentina on July 16 as a self-inflicted collapse caused by overly defensive tactics.
Speaking exclusively to tabla! during his visit to Singapore, the Ballon d’Or winner also shared his views on Argentina’s campaign, the rise of exciting young stars such as Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise, the performances of underdog nations, the controversies that have overshadowed the tournament and the impact of the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Owen is in Singapore as part of Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) multi-day fan engagement campaign. The former England international arrived on July 16 for autograph sessions, promotional appearances and interactive fan events.
He will headline the final edition of Resorts World Sentosa’s “Breakfast with the Legend” series alongside Singapore football icon Fandi Ahmad at Adventure Cove Waterpark on July 18 before taking part in the Bluwater Splash & Score football challenge with fans.
Spain deserve to be champions
Asked for his prediction for the July 19 final between Spain and defending champions Argentina, Owen did not hesitate.
“Spain,” he replied emphatically. For Owen, Spain have shown exactly how a top international side should react under pressure.
“Spain are everything that England aren’t,” he said. “Look at both semi-finals. Spain go one goal up and they keep passing the ball. They don’t change. That’s bravery. That’s courage. England score a goal and suddenly we get scared.”
He believes Spain’s consistency and confidence in possession make them deserving favourites against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final. “The two semi-finals taught you everything about football. Spain showed courage under pressure. England completely lost theirs.”
England threw away a place in the final
England’s 1-2 defeat by Argentina still frustrates Owen, who believes the Three Lions had complete control before abandoning their game plan.
“It started in the Mexico game,” he said, referring to England’s earlier tendency to become defensive after taking the lead.
“When we think going ahead means we have to defend, that’s where our problems start. We score, we’re in total control, and then instead of continuing to play football, we throw defenders on and invite pressure.”
Owen, who shot to international superstardom at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France when aged just 18 he scored one of the most iconic solo goals in tournament history against Argentina in the Round of 16, believes England’s tactical retreat handed Argentina the initiative.
“It could have finished 5-1 to Argentina in the end. It should have been 2-0 to England. We totally threw it away.”
He placed much of the responsibility on manager Thomas Tuchel, who is German.
“I would absolutely blame the coach for changing the way we played. It was a huge opportunity to reach a World Cup final and we literally gave it away.”
Owen also clarified that his long-held opposition to foreign coaches managing national teams was not a reaction to England’s defeat.
“I’ve always believed international football should be about each country’s best - its players, doctors, coaches and manager. I’ve said that for years. That’s a completely separate issue.”
A mentality problem spanning generations
Owen, who represented England in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, believes England’s problems extend well beyond the current squad.
“This isn’t about blaming these players,” he explained. “It happened in my day too.”
He recalled England surrendering leads against Brazil at the 2002 World Cup and Portugal at Euro 2004.
“We’ve got a fear of failure. As soon as we get something precious, we try to protect it instead of building on it.”
Using an analogy, Owen, who these days often makes headlines as a pundit, said people naturally cling tightly to something valuable instead of using it confidently.
“We’re good enough to score goals. But as soon as we get ahead, we become frightened. Until that mentality changes, England will continue suffering the same fate.”
Argentina good – but not great
Despite reaching another World Cup final, Owen believes Argentina have benefited from favourable circumstances.
“They’re a good team. Absolutely. But they’re not a great team.”He pointed to narrow victories over Cape Verde and Egypt before England’s collapse in the semi-final. “They squeezed through several games. England should have beaten them.”
Owen believes Spain are better equipped to stop Messi and company. “I don’t think Argentina would beat Spain.”
France, Japan and the underdogs
Among the tournament’s surprises, Owen praised Japan for once again showing they belong among football’s emerging powers.
“I thought Japan would have a very good tournament.”
Although disappointed by their defeat by Brazil after leading, he felt they demonstrated tremendous progress. He also singled out France despite their semi-final exit.
“France’s performance against Sweden was the best performance of the tournament for me. They absolutely destroyed Sweden (3-0 in the Round of 32 match on June 30). I thought if they kept playing like that, nobody would beat them.” However, he acknowledged Spain deserved their victory over France in the last four.
Young stars have delivered
Unlike some previous tournaments where established stars struggled, Owen believes this World Cup has showcased both football’s biggest names and its brightest young talents.
“The best players have really come to the party.”
He singled out France winger Michael Olise as one of the breakout performers.
“He’s improved enormously over the last couple of years.”
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal also earned special praise.
“We already knew about Yamal. He’s simply a super talent.”
Owen was equally impressed by established stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
“They’ve all performed as people expected.”
Trump controversy damaged football
The tournament has not been free from controversy, and Owen believes one incident particularly hurt football’s credibility.
Referring to the decision to rescind a red card after intervention from United States President Donald Trump, Owen said it undermined confidence in the game’s integrity.
“I think that did a lot of damage to football.”
However, he defended referees overall, saying the job has become increasingly difficult in the VAR era.
“I actually thought the referee in the England-Argentina game was absolutely brilliant.”
Despite Argentina’s aggressive start, Owen praised the official for remaining calm and maintaining control throughout.
Expansion brings opportunities – and risks
The 48-team World Cup has generated debate throughout the tournament. Owen acknowledged that expanding the competition has allowed more nations to experience football’s biggest stage.
“It creates more amazing stories.”
He believes Asian nations in particular stand to benefit. “Now they’ve got realistic hope of qualifying regularly. That can inspire young players throughout Asia.”
Having travelled regularly across the region, Owen said he has witnessed steady improvements in football infrastructure and coaching standards. “Step by step, I’ve seen football improve in Asia.”
However, he also worries that adding too many teams could eventually dilute the tournament. “The group stage quality drops.” He fears legendary World Cup records could lose their significance as players receive more matches against weaker opposition.
“In a few tournaments someone you’ve never heard of could score 20 World Cup goals.” That, he warned, risks diminishing achievements by legends such as Pelé and Diego Maradona. Despite those concerns, Owen believes the tournament has ultimately delivered.
“The final four teams were ranked one, two, three and four in the world.”
“So even with more teams, the best sides still reach the latter stages.”
And with Spain facing Argentina in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated World Cup finals in recent memory, Owen believes the perfect team will emerge as champions.
For him, football’s biggest prize belongs to the side that continues attacking rather than retreating.
That team, he believes, is Spain.
