Nurmagomedov reportedly sees Germany as the strongest contender, even though they are not the side he wants to win. That distinction gives his prediction a more considered edge than a straightforward declaration of allegiance.
His leading three are:
The ranking also reflects three different tournament profiles: Germany’s traditional weight, the Netherlands’ depth and Spain’s possession-based identity. Yet early forecasts remain vulnerable to injuries, form and the draw once the competition begins.
Nurmagomedov’s scoring picks include Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Vinicius Junior, Joao Felix and Harry Kane. The list mixes established elite forwards with players whose tournament impact could depend heavily on their team’s route through the competition.
That breadth has fuelled the reaction. Some supporters welcomed the detailed football discussion, while others questioned the selections. One fan dismissed his top two choices as “absolute garbage”, while another accused him of being “still stuck in the 90s”.
The most revealing part of the forecast may be the separation between prediction and loyalty. Germany are the team Nurmagomedov expects to win; Uzbekistan are the team he personally wants to see succeed.
That gives the storyline another angle as Uzbekistan face the pressure of their first major World Cup campaign. Their determination and hunger have earned Nurmagomedov’s backing, even if he believes the title will go elsewhere.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the focus will shift from celebrity predictions to squad strength, qualifying form and the tournament draw. Germany’s status as Nurmagomedov’s favourite-and Uzbekistan’s ability to meet the occasion-will be the next parts of the debate to watch.