We always talk about the stars. Messi. Mbappe. Kane. The guys who make highlight reels and sell jerseys. But if you listen to how World Cups actually get won, it might not be about having the best player on the field. It might be about having the worst one who still doesn’t hurt you.
That’s the weak link theory. And right now, with every top contender carrying some obvious flaw, it matters more than ever.
Every team has a problem spot
Look at France. They made the 2022 final with a midfield that lost Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante to age and injuries. Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni did the job, sure. But can they actually control games against Spain or Portugal for 90 minutes? Feels like a question that doesn’t have a great answer.
Portugal has a weird one. They might be weakest at the exact position where they have an all-time great. Cristiano Ronaldo is still Portugal’s best player ever, but asking a 40-year-old to lead the line at a World Cup is a gamble. He’s not the pressing monster he used to be. Defenses can plan for him now in a way they couldn’t five years ago.
England’s midfield used to be the sore spot. That 2018 semifinal loss to Croatia was basically a lesson in getting outpassed in the middle of the park. Now Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson look like a solid pairing. But the defense? They gave up two goals to Croatia in a friendly in Dallas. That’s not exactly world-beating.
Spain showed the blueprint
Spain won Euro 2024 without a single striker who scares anyone. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner in the final. He’s good. He’s not a superstar. But the team had no weak link anywhere on the field. That’s how you win tournaments when nobody’s perfect.
Germany brought Manuel Neuer out of international retirement because they saw goalkeeper as a potential weak spot compared to other contenders. That’s a move that says ‘we know our margins are thin and we’re trying to close every gap.’
Brazil has questions at fullback and central midfield. Casemiro struggled against Morocco. They’re not sure who their No. 9 is. Argentina lost Angel Di Maria to retirement and suddenly their wing options look thin compared to 2022. Both South American giants have holes.
History backs this up
France won in 2018 with Olivier Giroud as their striker. He didn’t register a single shot on target the entire tournament. But he held the ball up, brought others into play, and didn’t become a liability. That’s the weak link not being weak.
Germany in 2014 moved Philipp Lahm from midfield to right-back because that was the problem spot. Italy in 2006 and Germany in 2014 both won without a single superstar but with a high floor across the roster. No one was getting exploited.
So maybe don’t watch the World Cup for the goals. Watch for the 11th guy. The one who might get targeted. The one who could cost his team everything. That’s where the tournament will probably be decided.
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