Who Are the Favourites to Win World Cup 2026?

Along with an extra knockout round in 2026, the World Cup betting favourites are also going to have to cope with extended travel itineraries and extreme heat and humidity. The strength and depth of squads is going to be severely tested. 

Spain: The Reigning European Champions

Although Spain last won this competition in 2010, they do have recent tournament success having won Euro 2024 in Germany two years ago. The team that picked up that trophy was very young, and head coach Luis de la Fuente has stuck with the majority of the same players.

Given their young age, they are now two years more experienced, as opposed to two years more over the hill. And the worrying thing for the other nations in the competition is that players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are nowhere near the finished articles yet. 

Those two played key roles in winning Euro 2024. However, both have injury concerns leading into the World Cup. 

Although both are near impossible to replace, the Spanish do have enough quality in their squad to fill in if required. Combined with the midfield dominance provided by Rodri and Pedri, this makes them a real threat to lift the trophy for a second time. 

France: The Tactical Machine

With the exception of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele, France can cover just about every other position on the field with an equally good replacement. Their strength in depth is second to none, and they could probably put three teams out at this World Cup and all would be competitive. 

This makes the French serious contenders, and in the eyes of many, the real favourites. Head coach Didier Deschamps can rotate his squad whenever he wishes, giving him the option of keeping his big three stars as fresh as possible for the latter stages.

The French also have the most World Cup experience over recent years. Didier Deschamps and his team have reached the previous two finals, winning in 2018 against Croatia, and losing on penalties to Argentina four years ago. This experience could be invaluable.

England: Under Thomas Tuchel's Guidance

England have fallen just short in their last four major competitions. In a bid to finally get across the winning line, the Three Lions have turned to former Champions League winning manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel inherited a strong platform to build from. Major surgery wasn’t needed, just a bit more know-how at the business end of competitions. He has a world-class center-forward leading the line in Harry Kane, and if he can get the best out of Jude Bellingham, Tuchel will have a genuine big-game match winner in his ranks.

He may still only be 22, but Bellingham has been playing at this level since he was 17. Originally good at exploiting space between the lines, the Real Madrid attacker is also a goal threat and isn’t fazed by the big stage. If he performs, England have a chance of ending their 60-year wait for silverware.

Argentina: Defending the Crown

Argentina weren’t the favourites to win the crown four years ago, and the same applies in the betting to win the 2026 World Cup. However, it would be stupid to write them off. The defending champions have shown time and again that they have the ability to find a way to win, and if that means doing it ugly, so be it.

This will be Lionel Messi’s swansong, and after playing in the less competitive MLS for the past three years, it remains to be seen how effective he will be at the elite top level. 

The flip side to this is Messi will be well acclimatised to the local conditions. He will also have the younger legs of Enzo Fernandes, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez driving his nation on, and even do some of his running for him.

Brazil: Stability Meets Star Power

Brazil is the footballing nation with all the history and heritage, but they haven’t won this competition since the last time they reached the final in 2002. In an attempt to turn their fortunes around, they broke with tradition and hired Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti to try and end their World Cup drought. 

There has never been a problem with Brazil’s starting 11, and this year is no different. The Selecao will be anchored at the back by the defensively solid unit of Gabriel and Marquinhos. The midfield is full of strength and experience with the likes Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes, while up front they have attacking talent like Vinícius Junior and Raphinha. 

However, their squad depth doesn’t look quite as strong as the likes of Spain and France. But if Ancelotti can keep his best 11 players on the pitch, Brazil have a chance of landing that elusive and record-extending sixth title.