Former Star Il Barakovich Criticizes 2026 World Cup Quality, Backs France to Win

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup semifinals, former Israeli football star Il Barakovich expressed strong opinions about the tournament's quality during a live broadcast on 103fm's sports program. He acknowledged France as the best team in the competition and predicted they would win the final, dismissing other teams' performances as unimpressive. Barakovich described the World Cup as visually and atmospherically impressive but lacking in football quality, criticizing the inclusion of lesser-known teams like Haiti and Cape Verde, which he said do not excite him.

Regarding Argentina, Barakovich claimed the team has relied heavily on referees, similar to the previous World Cup, and without Lionel Messi, he considers them a very average team. He noted Argentina's favorable draw so far but predicted a tough challenge against England, which he described as physically stronger, faster, and better trained. He expressed sympathy for England, highlighting their strength, speed, and the form of key players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

Barakovich was also critical of Brazil, stating the team is not good and lacks magic beyond Vinicius Jr., with veteran Casemiro barely managing. In contrast, he praised France as a well-oiled machine and expressed doubt that Argentina could defeat them in the final. His comments reflect a skeptical view of the tournament's overall competitive level, emphasizing the dominance of a few top teams and the lack of excitement from others.