What Anthony Dabbundo has said about 2026 FIFA World Cup

4 quotes · 2 episodes · Jun 11, 2026 – Jun 19, 2026

Anthony Dabbundo, Ringer sports-betting and soccer analyst, co-host of The Ringer Gambling Show, has been quoted on 2026 FIFA World Cup 4 times in 2 episodes of The Bill Simmons Podcast, most recently on June 19, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

Dabbundo says England has entered the favorites conversation, with England, Spain and France a tier above the rest.
“I think England has vaulted themselves into the favorites conversation if they weren't already there. And I think them, Spain, and France are still a tier above”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:50:12
Came true
Dabbundo picks Spain to win the World Cup, citing its recent dominance over France.
“by process elimination, I crossed off everybody else and was like, I guess I'm picking Spain”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:22:47
Dabbundo cites studies showing hot kickoff temperatures reduce output, which he says hurts weaker teams with less depth.
“any soccer game that kicks off above 85 degrees, there is a noticeable decline in just output, pressing, shots, goals”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:34:05
Dabbundo favors Switzerland over Canada in their group, citing Alphonso Davies's injury.
“Alphonso Davies is their best player by a wide margin. He's the best player in North America, and he is not healthy”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:43:39

Predictions

Came true
Dabbundo picks Spain to win the World Cup, citing its recent dominance over France.
“by process elimination, I crossed off everybody else and was like, I guess I'm picking Spain”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:22:47 · 2026 FIFA World Cup
Dabbundo picked Spain to win the 2026 World Cup, and Spain did. They beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute, giving Spain its second World Cup title after 2010.
Sources: Spain edge Argentina after extra time to win 2nd World Cup title - ESPN · Spain battle past 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win 2026 World Cup · 2026 World Cup: Spain 1-0 Argentina (AET): Ferran Torres' extra-time winner secures Spain's second title · Spain wins the World Cup for the second time, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic final
Checked Oct 9, 2026

Episodes

NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 19, 2026 · 2 h 11 min
Bill Simmons previews the 2026 NBA draft and Finals fallout with Tim Legler, then discusses the USMNT's World Cup outlook with Anthony Dabbundo.
A Knicks Miracle (and an All-Time Spurs Collapse), a Mini-Mailbag, and a World Cup Preview | With Joe House, Kirk Goldsberry, Anthony Dabbundo, and Cousin Sal
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 11, 2026 · 2 h 1 min
Bill Simmons, Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House dissect the Knicks' 29-point Game 4 comeback over the Spurs, Simmons answers mailbag questions, and Anthony Dabbundo and Cousin Sal preview World Cup bets.

Others on 2026 FIFA World Cup

PFT Commenter · 13 quotes
Taylor Twellman · 5 quotes
Dan Katz · 4 quotes
Gary Lineker · 3 quotes
Peter Sagal · 3 quotes
Karen Kilgariff · 2 quotes
Tommy Vietor · 2 quotes
Tim Ream · 2 quotes

Anthony Dabbundo on other topics

United States men's national soccer team · 4 quotes
Argentina national football team · 1 quote
Spain national football team · 1 quote
France national football team · 1 quote
Ecuador national football team · 1 quote
Portugal national football team · 1 quote