Ian Darke Previews the First 48-Team World Cup: Favorites and Potential Surprises
As the inaugural 48-team World Cup approaches, Ian Darke offers his insights on which teams are poised to win the trophy and which could emerge as dark horses.
Ian Darke Jun 9, 2026, 02:56 AM ET Close Darke, who called games for the network during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is ESPN lead soccer voice in the United States. He has covered the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League since 1982, and has one of the world's most recognizable soccer voices.
_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48991222/ian-darke-world-cup-preview-favorites-surprises-watch-brazil-win)._
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