Francisco Fernández's 2026 World Cup Predictions
Francisco Fernández, head coach of the Ukrainian club 'Karpaty', has shared his outlook on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He rates Spain as the strongest national team currently, while naming France as the clear tournament frontrunner. Fernández also singled out Luis de la Fuente and Nico Paz as players likely to make a big impact during the championship. Among potential dark horses, he pointed to Mexico, but believes Brazil and England could end up as the competition's biggest disappointments.
Karpaty's Transfer Activity
Meanwhile, 'Karpaty' made headlines in the transfer market with two players moving to Czech clubs. Nazar Domchak, a product of the 'Karpaty' Football Academy, signed with Slavia for €5 million—a club-record sale for Karpaty. At just 19 years old, Domchak debuted for the reserve team in the Ukrainian Second League back in August 2023. During the 2025/26 season, he played 27 matches, keeping 14 clean sheets, which placed him among the top three goalkeepers in the Ukrainian Premier League for shutouts. Last year, he also earned his first caps for Ukraine's U-19 and U-21 national teams.
- Babucarr Faal, who joined 'Karpaty' in the winter of 2026, also transferred to Czech side Viktoria Plzeň for €3 million. This deal ranks as the second most expensive in club history, surpassing the previous record sale of midfielder Oleh Fedir during the 2025/26 winter transfer window.
- During his time with 'Karpaty', Faal made 10 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists.
Francisco Fernández: 'Rodri is intelligent, competitive, always makes the right decisions, and plays for his teammates.'
Fernández also expressed his view that full-backs are the most underappreciated position in football. These comments, combined with the recent transfer news, highlight 'Karpaty's' active role in the football market and their ambitions moving forward.
The Karpaty coach's insights on the 2026 World Cup reflect his deep understanding of modern football and the trends likely to shape the tournament's outcome. At the same time, the club's successful transfers of young talent demonstrate a strategic focus on development and a drive to strengthen their standing in both domestic and European competitions. It will be worth watching how these players progress and contribute to Karpaty's future achievements.
As 'Karpaty' navigates a significant transformation with key player transfers, the departure of Igor Neves has left a noticeable void in the team. His exit not only impacts the squad's dynamics but also raises questions about the club's future strategy. To understand how this change might affect 'Karpaty' moving forward, read more about the implications of Neves' departure here.