Turkmenistan national team and Kitchee SC midfielder Ruslan Mingazow has shared his insights and personal preferences regarding the ongoing World Cup co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The experienced player analyzed the tournament's landscape and revealed the teams he will be supporting.

Mingazow stated that his main psychological backing goes to Uzbekistan due to neighboring ties, alongside the Czech Republic, a country where he spent numerous years of his professional career. Additionally, he identified Morocco, Egypt, Norway, and Japan as the nations most capable of delivering major surprises during the competition.

When discussing the ultimate contenders for the prestigious trophy, the midfielder named Brazil, Portugal, and France as the top three favorites. He also emphasized the immense public interest surrounding iconic figures like Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, noting that their performances remain a central storyline of the tournament.

The 2026 edition of the global tournament features an expanded format with 48 national teams divided into 12 groups. Regarding the specific pathways of Mingazow's favored teams, Uzbekistan competes in Group K against Portugal, Colombia, and the DR Congo, while the Czech Republic faces Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in Group A.