POLITICO caught up with European Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef in Brussels last week to get his top tips for the World Cup. The 36-year-old Micallef is the youngest member of President Ursula von der Leyen’s team of EU commissioners, and the Maltese official has repeatedly chided FIFA during his tenure, on everything from supporter safety and security to overall governance.
Unlike previous officials who have held Brussels’ top sports role, Micallef is a genuine soccer fan, who has been busy collecting World Cup Panini stickers and sharing daily tournament fun facts with his staff.
Best World Cup memory? “Zinedine Zidane scoring twice in the 1998 final against Brazil. It was the first World Cup final [I watched] so it has a special place in my heart.”
Favorite World Cup? “Either France ’98 … or Brazil 2014.”
Which player are you most excited to watch in 2026? “Michael Olise (of France).”
Bold prediction for 2026? “Portugal will do very well.” (POLITICO pointed out that Portugal perhaps didn’t meet the definition of bold, given some oddsmakers have them as fourth favorites to win the tournament, to which Micallef sharpened his forecast.) “They might surprise some people and make it all the way to the end.”
Who’s going to win? “Spain or France.” (POLITICO: “Can you commit to one or the other?”) “My heart says Spain.”
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