26 Daring Predictions for 2026: Payments, Orioles Win Titles; USA Makes World Cup Run

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Orioles breaking through to capture elusive championships?! The United States men’s national team making noise at the World Cup?! Fernando Mendoza serving as the savior of the New York Jets?!

We asked our FOX Sports writers to look into their crystal balls to see what 2026 will bring in the sports world.

Here are their 26 boldest predictions for the upcoming year:

Smith has been the best player in the country for two consecutive years, according to everyone except voters for major college football awards. He singlehandedly flipped Ohio State into a national title team in just four games in 2024, and he did it as a true freshman. In 2025, he finished sixth in the Heisman voting, the only wideout to receive enough votes to make the top 10, and voters of the Biletnikoff didn’t pick him. Well, 2026 is the year for all arguments for age and lasting impact on the sport laid to rest and to crown Smith for the player he has been since he entered the sport. – RJ Young

[Read more: Inside Jeremiah Smith’s rise to stardom]

A mere 31 years after they misplaced the final of their 4 straight Tremendous Bowls within the early Nineties, the Payments deliver a title to Title-less City, and defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Tremendous Bowl LX. Pressured to play three straight playoff video games on the street after shedding the AFC East to the Patriots, the Payments will really cruise by the AFC playoff discipline with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs mercifully out of the best way. Payments followers will then not solely flock to Santa Clara, Califronia, for the massive sport, however they’ll pack their soon-to-be demolished stadium in Orchard Park, New York for an out of doors viewing occasion (in a blizzard, in fact). It’ll nonetheless be snowing two days later when greater than one million Payments followers line Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo to observe snow plows carry their conquering heroes in a parade they’ve been ready for all their lives. – Ralph Vacchiano

3. USA Makes 2026 World Cup Semis

With all due respect to FOX Sports activities colleagues Landon Donovan, Brad Guzan, Stu Holden, Cobi Jones and Alexi Lalas, I used to be shocked that none of these greats has the U.S. surviving the quarterfinals. Certain, reaching the Spherical of 16 like they did on the 2022, 2014 and 2010 World Cups will now require profitable a knockout sport due to the expanded discipline — one thing the USMNT has achieved as soon as in 10 World Cup appearances all-time. 

However as a seeded staff with a completely manageable draw, the co-hosts are the favorites to win Group D, making certain they face a third-place finisher within the new spherical of 32. Taking part in at house, with your complete nation on the bandwagon, the U.S. can’t accept extra of the identical. Momentum builds at World Cups. When a staff will get scorching, they will experience the wave far longer than pure expertise says they need to. 

It prices nothing to dream. Below a coach who as soon as led perennial underachievers Tottenham to a Champions League closing, the bar have to be set greater. Mauricio Pochettino already has. He’s telling anybody who’ll pay attention that the World Cup trophy itself is inside attain. Every part must go completely to achieve even the semis. They’d want some luck to make it that far. However to paraphrase Pochettino: Why can’t they? – Doug McIntyre

[Read more: USA Can Dream the ‘Impossible’]

4. Faculty Soccer Playoff Expands to 24 Groups

It merely has to only to maintain stakeholders and followers joyful. Acrimony engulfed the game following Lane Kiffin’s choice to go away Ole Miss to grow to be head coach at LSU simply as he’d completed main the Rebels to their best-ever season (11-1) and their first berth within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. His choice meant that main a staff 4 video games away from enjoying for the nationwide championship wasn’t as essential as his $13.28-million contract in Baton Rouge.

Disbelief and anger filtered all through the game when Notre Dame determined to forgo enjoying within the postseason altogether after the Preventing Irish realized they weren’t chosen for the CFP. This could’t go on. However it should until the CFP board of managers repair it, and the easiest way to do this is to double the sphere. – RJ Younger

5. Baltimore Orioles Win World Collection

Baltimore owns the sixth-longest championship drought in Main League Baseball, however that is all about to alter in 2026 when the Orioles win the World Collection. It could be their first title since 1983, once they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and eventual Corridor-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. was a 23-year-old placing the ending touches on his first profession MVP Award. The O’s are lengthy overdue for a visit again to the Fall Basic, and now they lastly look primed to achieve baseball utopia. Their aggressive offseason actually took flight this winter once they signed first baseman Pete Alonso and his 264 profession house runs to a monster deal: $155 million for 5 years. Now, they’ve one of many filthiest lineups in baseball, and who is aware of, it simply is perhaps adequate to dethrone the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. Perhaps the blockbuster transfer that introduced Alonso to the Birds was their lacking piece. – Deesha Thosar

6. New York Jets Go All-In on Fernando Mendoza

Packaging their two first-round picks in 2026 (and fairly probably rather more), the Jets will commerce into the highest three of the NFL Draft to pick Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He isn’t the no-brainer franchise quarterback that typically leads off a draft class, however Mendoza’s prototypical dimension, mobility, lightning-quick launch and management make him this yr’s surest factor on the sport’s most essential place.  – Rob Rang

[Read more: Is Mendoza a ‘Game Manager’ or a ‘Game Changer’?]

7. Ryan Day Leaves Ohio State for the NFL After One other Nationwide Title

From pitchforks and profanity following a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan in 2024 to an indomitable legacy that will probably be remembered favorably by followers for generations to return. That’s what awaits Ohio State head coach Ryan Day within the not-so-distant future when he rides the stellar tandem of quarterback Julian Sayin and broad receiver Jeremiah Smith to a different nationwide championship subsequent season. Will probably be, at a minimal, his second title in a three-year span and will probably full a three-peat relying on what occurs within the coming weeks along with his present squad. At that time, with a résumé solely a handful of coaches can match, Day will probably be prepared to go away faculty soccer behind for the prospect to chase an excellent larger prize within the NFL. He would possibly even deliver a couple of of his former gamers with him. – Michael Cohen

8. Philip Rivers Performs One Extra Season … With the Chiefs

In case you thought the unretirement of the 44-year-old Rivers was a short-term factor, you underestimate the competitiveness of knowledgeable athlete. And now that Rivers is getting one other style of NFL life, he’s going to seek out it robust to offer it proper again up. So after falling wanting serving to the Daniel Jones-less Colts to the playoffs, Rivers will ship out feelers to let groups know he needs to maintain enjoying no less than another season. And that’s when he’ll get a stunning provide: Come to Kansas Metropolis and be a placeholder till Patrick Mahomes returns from his torn ACL. The prospect to probably play for Andy Reid and possibly even experience alongside on a Tremendous Bowl quest will probably be an excessive amount of to move up. Plus, he’ll get to increase his NFL medical health insurance for his gigantic household for an additional yr. – Ralph Vacchiano

9. Younger Crimson Sox Star Roman Anthony Wins AL MVP honors

Certain, if we have been going to choose the likeliest candidate from this yr’s crop of Rookie of the 12 months finalists to contend for an MVP trophy in 2026, it could make sense to start out in Sacramento, the place Nick Kurtz simply produced one of many biggest rookie seasons ever for the Athletics. However that’s not considering daring sufficient. As a substitute, Anthony’s elite mixture of all-around expertise will come collectively so rapidly that he vaults previous the likes of Yankees star Aaron Choose and Royals slugger Bobby Witt Jr. to take house AL MVP honors in his second MLB season. Anthony slashed .329/.419/.512 over his closing 56 video games with the Crimson Sox, showcased elite plate self-discipline and completely obliterated the ball with a 60.3 p.c hard-hit price that may have led MLB had he certified. If he can get the ball within the air extra usually to faucet into his great energy potential, the rise to superstardom may occur quick. – Rowan Kavner 

10. Will Energy Captures 2026 INDYCAR Title

Jettisoned by Workforce Penske, Will Energy wins the 2026 INDYCAR title in his first season at Andretti. Energy wins three races and finishes on the rostrum in seven others to seize the championship as he goes on a revenge tour for Penske not conserving him after 17 years of dedication to the group. Energy will probably be gracious in profitable his third title however admits that the third one was the sweetest as a result of it proved any doubters flawed. –Bob Pockrass

11. Messi, Argentina Repeat as World Cup Champs

Profitable the World Cup is tough: simply eight nations have achieved it within the males’s event’s virtually 100-year historical past. Doing it twice in a row? That’s virtually extraordinary. Simply three groups, males’s or girls’s, have achieved it in 31 World Cups all time: the Carli Lloyd/Alex Morgan/Megan Rapinoe-led U.S. girls in 2015 and 2019, Italy’s males approach again in 1934 and 1938, and Pele’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962. 

Lionel Messi cemented his legacy as soccer’s GOAT when he willed Argentina to his first World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. And whereas the 38-year-old nonetheless hasn’t confirmed that he’ll assist the Albiceleste defend their crown in 2026 within the U.S., his house since becoming a member of Inter Miami three years in the past, solely damage will forestall Messi from captaining his nation as soon as once more subsequent summer time. Absolutely the prospect to make extra historical past along with his compatriots will probably be irresistible: Argentina, which additionally received the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, has an opportunity to say 4 consecutive main trophies — one thing no nation or participant — not even Pele, nonetheless the one man to win three World Cups — has ever achieved. – Doug McIntyre

The Chargers are 11-5, they usually’ve achieved it with out each beginning offensive tackles and different key accidents. In addition they have simply over $100 million in 2026 cap house, third-most of any staff, and certain a second-place schedule that features house video games towards the Jets and Raiders. Head coach Jim Harbaugh ought to have the whole lot in place to actually take care of Justin Herbert, and with the Chiefs down a peg, Denver’s the principle impediment to to a possible deep run within the AFC playoffs. The Tremendous Bowl is at SoFi Stadium in Feb. 2027, in order that’s the most important home-field benefit of all. – Greg Auman

I believe Michigan is the perfect staff that I’ve watched on each ends of the ground. Its sluggish begin was comprehensible, given all the brand new transfers, nevertheless it confirmed its potential on the Gamers Period Match in wins over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga by a median of 36.6 factors. The Wolverines have the perfect frontcourt trio within the nation with ahead Yaxel Lendeborg’s versatility, heart Aday Mara’s size and ahead Morez Johnson Jr.’s rugged scoring and rebounding. They encompass their huge males with a pleasant pass-first level guard in Elliot Cadeau and shooters like guard Nimari Burnett and ahead Will Tschetter. Guard Roddy Gayle Jr. is an explosive slasher, and even freshman guard Trey McKinney has carved out a task among the many veterans. This staff has no weaknesses. – Casey Jacobsen

14. USWNT’s ‘Triple Espresso’ Reunites

Since profitable a gold medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics, the U.S. girls’s nationwide staff has been in a state of growth and development in the case of its participant pool and what the squad will appear like on the subsequent World Cup. It’s been particularly useful to get to know new and youthful gamers with the likes of the famed Triple Espresso — Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson — unavailable. Rodman has been known as up a few occasions this yr however has largely been coping with accidents (there was again ache in addition to an MCL sprain), whereas Swanson and Wilson have been out on maternity depart and not too long ago welcomed child women. The USWNT should qualify for the 2027 World Cup, so I predict sooner or later on this subsequent yr that we’ll see coach Emma Hayes begin to solidify her core World Cup group, which is able to imply the return of this gifted trio. – Laken Litman

15. Tennessee Titans Rent Mike McCarthy as Head Coach 

Tennessee wants a seasoned head coach that’s, ideally, offensive minded, giving No. 1 choose Cam Ward continuity with scheme and playcalling as a younger quarterback. With 18 seasons of NFL head teaching expertise, McCarthy checks each bins. His expertise teaching Aaron Rodgers and dealing beneath Jerry Jones additionally signifies a capability to collaborate with huge personalities, which needs to be interesting to a floundering Titans’ franchise. McCarthy and Titans president of soccer operations Chad Brinker — Tennessee’s prime soccer government — spent a decade collectively in Inexperienced Bay (2009-18), so there’s a powerful connection there too. On the very least, McCarthy is a high-floor, moderate-ceiling coach that may stabilize Tennessee. – Ben Arthur

16. Indiana Runs It Again, Wins Again-to-Again Large Ten titles

It’s loopy to think about the success head coach Curt Cignetti has already had in simply two seasons at Indiana. In 12 months 1, the Hoosiers went 11-1 within the common season and made the Faculty Soccer Playoff. In 12 months 2, he led his staff to a 13-0 common season document and a Large Ten championship. Switch quarterback Fernando Mendoza received the Heisman Trophy and IU secured the No. 1 general seed within the CFP. This can be a staff that’s actually a favourite to win the nationwide championship and whereas a few of the expertise will head to the NFL, Cignetti has confirmed he can work the switch portal to his benefit. There are already tons of high quality quarterbacks within the portal and there’s no purpose to not suppose Cignetti will construct a powerful, nationwide title-contending staff once more subsequent season. – Laken Litman

Coach Kevin O’Connell admitted he and Rodgers spoke final offseason when the veteran QB finally landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the time, the Vikings have been dedicated to J.J. McCarthy, a former prime 10 draft choose. However after a yr of motion (and two years within the league), McCarthy nonetheless appears to be like a methods away from main the group to a playoff berth. And so O’Connell will go after Rodgers for actual this time. The Vikings will promote it as an opportunity for McCarthy to develop off the sphere for an additional yr whereas Rodgers runs the present. And possibly that’ll work out for everybody concerned. However O’Connell’s status is constructed upon QB play. He can’t threat it with one other yr of what McCarthy did in 2024. That may simply get the coach fired. –Henry McKenna

18. Pete Alonso Leads MLB in House Runs in First Season in Baltimore 

If this prediction involves fruition, it could be an excellent more durable capsule to swallow for a Mets fanbase already reeling after watching a trio of fan favorites (Alonso, heart fielder Brandon Nimmo, nearer Edwin Díaz) depart this winter. However Alonso’s coming off a yr by which he recorded profession highs in each hard-hit price and common exit velocity, and “Walltimore” in left discipline at Camden Yards is a factor of the previous. The Orioles’ choice to maneuver within the left-field fence final season remodeled the ballpark again into one of many extra favorable venues for righty mashers. Alonso hit 38 house runs final season; primarily based on his anticipated house run whole, he would have hit 45 if he performed all of his video games in Baltimore. Now, that whole received’t probably be sufficient to surpass the likes of Aaron Choose, Shohei Ohtani and Cal Raleigh in 2026, nevertheless it doesn’t take a lot to examine the potential of a home-run surge in Alonso’s first season along with his new membership. – Rowan Kavner 

19. Chiefs Attain Playoffs Regardless of Mahomes’ Harm, Kelce’s Retirement

In case you suppose Mahomes is down and out, you’re sorely mistaken. We noticed the Chiefs thrive in tight video games in 2023 — solely to fall quick in them in 2024. The 2026 marketing campaign needs to be a steadier yr, even with the quarterback probably lacking the primary month resulting from an ACL damage. Coach Andy Reid will be certain that they’ve a QB who can deal with the offense (possibly Philip Rivers, as Ralph instructed above). And the Chiefs ought to get again into the playoff combine with a roster that ought to see main turnover this offseason, together with the departure of Kelce. Might he play one other yr? Certain. However he had a tough time committing to a return this yr. It’ll solely get tougher subsequent yr. His retirement will deliver in regards to the finish of an period for the Chiefs. But it surely shouldn’t be the tip of their dynasty. – Henry McKenna

20. Solely One QB Goes within the First Spherical of the NFL Draft

Regardless of a number of groups needing a franchise quarterback amid a weak free agent class, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza would be the solely quarterback chosen within the first spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft. That assertion would possibly increase eyebrows as a result of variety of groups searching for a QB1, however the 2026 class lacks the blue-chip quarterback prospects to warrant first-round consideration. Whereas Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore may enter the dialog, their lack of inexperience as collegiate starters may immediate them to attend till 2027 to make the leap to the NFL. The preseason hype led us to consider the 2026 quarterback class had the potential to be epic, nevertheless it appears to be like like a “one-man” present at this level. – Bucky Brooks

[Read more: Ranking the 18 Best QB Prospects Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft]

21. Quarterback Kyler Murray Joins Mike McDaniel in Miami

After stuffing him on the injured reserve checklist with a foot damage for the second half of the season, the Arizona Cardinals seem able to grant the shifty quarterback Murray his launch, permitting him to maneuver on to greener pastures. The opportunity of becoming a member of an offensive guru like McDaniel, with legit offensive weapons like De’Von Achane, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as potential teammates could be interesting to the Oklahoma product. Taking part in for the Dolphins retains Murray in a warm-weather local weather, and Murray could be a superb match for McDaniel’s system, giving him essentially the most gifted signal-caller he’s had in Miami.  – Eric D. Williams

22. Michael Jordan Named NASCAR Model Ambassador

Basketball Corridor-of-Famer and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan, in an try to unify NASCAR after the contentious lawsuit that consumed the game in 2025, accepts a task as NASCAR Model Ambassador. He agrees to make 5 appearances on behalf of NASCAR on what is taken into account a nationwide stage or media platform. He can’t speak about whether or not his staff is being profitable or not. – Bob Pockrass

23. New York Mets Righty Nolan McLean Wins Cy Younger Award

Not solely will the New York Mets’ breakout beginning pitcher win his first profession Cy Younger Award in 2026, however meaning he’ll even be in line to win Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months honors. Sure, that is simply how excessive his projections are for subsequent season. The 24-year-old righthander is coming off a powerful debut within the huge leagues, along with his 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in eight begins and 48 innings pitched drawing comparisons to legendary former Mets rookies like Jacob deGrom… and even Corridor of Famer Nolan Ryan. Although it is approach too early in McLean’s profession to go that daring, it is not so far-fetched to prognosticate how dominant he will probably be in his first full season within the majors subsequent yr. So, be careful, Paul Skenes. There’s one other elite righty within the league coming on your trophy. – Deesha Thosar

24. Robert Saleh Takes Over as Coach for the Cleveland Browns

Saleh would supply Cleveland with some much-needed management and stability if given the chance to function a head coach once more, ought to the Browns determine to maneuver on from Kevin Stefanski. Saleh completed 20-36 throughout his time with the Jets after a midseason firing in 2024, which doesn’t look so unhealthy given the state of that franchise now. Saleh must usher in a legit offensive coordinator with a background in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system to work with whoever the Browns select to go along with at quarterback. Saleh had optimistic issues to say about Shedeur Sanders earlier this yr, however the Browns have two first-round picks and can probably attempt to discover their franchise quarterback within the draft. And with an already robust protection, Saleh may have a chance to show issues round rapidly in Cleveland. – Eric D. Williams

25. Rick Pitino Wins Title With St. John’s in ’26-27 Season, Retires on Prime

A surprising loss in final yr’s Spherical of 32 minimize quick what many believed may have been a fairytale season for St. John’s, which received each the Large East common season and Large East Match titles beneath second-year head coach Rick Pitino. The Crimson Storm retooled their roster through the switch portal however appear a participant or two wanting competing for a nationwide championship through the 2025-26 marketing campaign. Fueled by back-to-back shortcomings, Pitino and billionaire donor Mike Repole compile a brilliant staff for the 2026-27 season that brings St. John’s its first nationwide championship in program historical past. Will probably be Pitino’s third nationwide title general — he received beforehand at Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013 — and the capstone achievement that lastly ushers him into retirement, the place he’ll be remembered as one of many biggest coaches in faculty basketball historical past. – Michael Cohen

26. Chiefs Land Ohio State Defensive Standout Caleb Downs 

The Chiefs must prioritize bolstering the offensive talent positions this offseason, however I don’t see them hesitating if Downs falls of their lap this spring. The most effective defensive again in faculty soccer, the Buckeyes star would give Steve Spagnuolo a flexible chess piece at security that’s already well-versed in NFL ideas, having performed beneath Matt Patricia at Ohio State. As fearsome pass-rusher Chris Jones continues to become old, pairing Downs with Trent McDuffie within the again finish would supercharge a Kansas Metropolis protection constructed round robust secondary play. –Ben Arthur

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