2026 World Cup: The biggest tournament ever and how to approach it from a betting perspective

By Serge Gorelikov | Published: June 10, 2026, 09:00

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history kicks off this Thursday. For the first time ever, 48 national teams will compete instead of the traditional 32.

The expansion to 48 teams makes this World Cup more unpredictable than ever before. Alongside the traditional football powerhouses, we will see nations that previously could only dream of reaching the world's biggest stage. This new format promises one of the most fascinating tournaments in decades.

In addition, several new competition regulations and tournament rules will be introduced. As always, not all of them are entirely clear to players, coaches, and fans alike.

The leading contenders to win the World Cup are:

• Spain
• France
• England
• Argentina
• Portugal
• Germany

France

France arguably possess the deepest squad in world football. They have world-class players in virtually every position, while Kylian Mbappé and many of his teammates are currently in their prime years. The French national team has demonstrated remarkable consistency for nearly a decade and will once again be among the strongest contenders.

England

England arrive with another golden generation of talent. Their starting XI is packed with elite players, and their bench is equally impressive. This could finally be the tournament where England turn potential into silverware.

Spain

Spain continue to develop one of the most exciting young squads in international football. Their technical quality, tactical discipline, and squad depth make them one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Argentina

The defending champions remain dangerous thanks to their experience, winning mentality, and tournament pedigree. Lionel Scaloni's side knows how to navigate major competitions and should not be underestimated.

Portugal and Germany

Both nations possess the quality to go deep into the tournament. For Cristiano Ronaldo, this could be the final chapter of an extraordinary international career. Many fans will wonder whether this will be his last dance and perhaps his final chance to lift the one trophy that has always eluded him.

Every World Cup produces surprise packages, and 2026 should be no different. Potential dark horses include:

• Morocco
• Croatia
• Colombia
• Turkey
• Uruguay
• Japan
• Ecuador

Morocco already proved at the last World Cup that they can compete with anyone. Japan continue to improve with every passing year, while Turkey combines a talented young generation with experienced leaders. These teams have the potential to upset major favourites and could become serious threats once the knockout stage begins.

Several nations fall into the category of dangerous outsiders:

• Switzerland
• Serbia
• Czechia
• Poland
• Sweden
• Denmark
• South Korea
• United States
• Mexico
• Canada

These teams rarely enter tournaments as title contenders, but they consistently challenge stronger opponents and are more than capable of progressing from their groups.

For some nations, simply qualifying for the World Cup is already a major achievement. Among them are:

• Tunisia
• Iran
• Australia
• Algeria
• Ghana
• New Zealand
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• DR Congo
• Uzbekistan

Many of these teams will primarily be looking to gain experience on the global stage. However, underestimating them can be costly. World Cups often produce situations where smaller nations score consolation goals or claim unexpected points against stronger opposition.

The expansion to 48 teams has inevitably opened the door for several nations that may struggle to compete at the highest level. Among the weakest teams in the field are:

• Haiti
• Curaçao
• Jordan
• Cape Verde
• Panama
• Qatar
• Iraq

As a result, the 2026 World Cup could feature more heavy defeats and unexpected scorelines than previous editions.

One of the biggest mistakes bettors make is blindly backing the favourites. Most players from elite national teams arrive after exhausting club seasons. Many have played between 60 and 70 matches over the course of the year and may be dealing with fatigue, burnout, or minor injuries.

Furthermore, star players often come from different club systems and tactical setups. A squad full of superstars does not automatically become a well-functioning team. History has repeatedly shown that organisation and chemistry can outweigh individual talent.

The famous example remains Germany's stunning 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. World Cup history is also full of favourites who failed spectacularly:

• Spain (2014)
• Italy (2010)
• Portugal (2002)
• Brazil (1966)

Big names will never guarantee success.

One of the most common betting mistakes is becoming heavily involved from the opening day of the tournament. The early stages should primarily be used for observation and analysis.

Pay attention to:

• The physical condition of each team
• The form of key players
• Tactical approaches and formations
• Defensive organisation
• Which teams genuinely look capable of winning the tournament

The first round of group-stage matches contains too many unknown variables. For that reason, many experienced bettors prefer to avoid betting entirely during the opening round and instead focus on gathering information.

The second round of matches often provides much better opportunities. By then, team form and tactical trends become clearer. The third round can be even more attractive because qualification scenarios, motivation, and group standings create predictable patterns and betting angles.

World Cups regularly produce goals from outsiders. Even the strongest teams make mistakes, particularly in their opening matches. Because of this, several markets can often provide significantly better value than backing heavy favourites at very short odds. These markets are:

• Underdog to score
• Both teams to score
• Underdog team total over 0.5 goals

Despite their illustrious history, Brazil could be one of the tournament's biggest disappointments. The Seleção still possess exceptional talent, but recent years have shown that they no longer hold the same advantage over the rest of the world that they once enjoyed. On paper they remain one of the favourites, but their reputation may be stronger than their actual chances of lifting the trophy.

If there are two teams worth paying particularly close attention to, they are:

England

England possess one of the strongest generations of players in their history. The talent is undeniable. The question is whether they can finally translate potential into success.

France

France remain the benchmark for consistency in international football and arguably have the strongest squad in the tournament.

Both teams offer excellent long-term betting opportunities and should be among the leading contenders throughout the competition.

The golden rules of every World Cup remain unchanged:

Do not rush. Do not overvalue famous names. Remember that football tournaments are short, and surprises happen far more often than people expect.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, 104 matches, and a final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. It promises to be the biggest and most unpredictable World Cup ever staged.

For more World Cup analysis, betting insights, and daily predictions, follow our free Telegram channel.