Who will win the 2026 World Cup – predictions, odds & favourites

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The opening match is scheduled for June 8, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Throughout the tournament, you can find the latest predictions for the most popular betting markets on our website.

Our team will examine the chances of each participating nation lifting football's most prestigious trophy. First, we will present the average odds from leading bookmakers, followed by our analysis of the main contenders. Based on this assessment, we will offer our opinion on the most likely winner.

The last tournament saw Lionel Messi lead Argentina to lift the trophy, but current bookmaker odds suggest Spain are the favourites this time. Let's examine the top contenders, taking into account recent tournament performances, team line-ups, and key players.

🇪🇸 Spain — odds to win 6.00

The Spanish team is consistently among the favourites in every major tournament, having won Euro 2024 without losing a match and finishing as runners-up in the 2025 Nations League.

Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente Castillo, La Roja is shining again thanks to its attacking, dynamic style, which makes full use of the players' versatility.

The team's brightest star is the young Lamine Yamal, who broke multiple records at the Euro 2024 tournament. Alongside Nico Williams, he challenges conventional ideas about the game: their speed, bravery, and inventive play make them one of the tournament's most dangerous duos. Both are willing to take responsibility in crucial moments, capable of turning a match around in seconds.

Don't overlook the team's key playmaker, midfielder Rodri, who initiates almost all of Spain's attacks. Following a strong 2024 season, he was awarded the Golden Ball, which highlighted his significant influence on the team.

Spain enters the tournament as the main favourite, but much will depend on how well they acclimatise to the World Cup venues.

🚨 OFFICIAL | Here’s the 26-man squad Luis de la Fuente has called up for the clashes vs Bulgaria & Turkey on Sept 4 & 7.

The road to the World Cup starts now! 🌍⚽️

ℹ️ Full details: https://t.co/Nc5jfi2abm#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/dTsMeDZauB

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) August 29, 2025

🇫🇷 France — odds to win 7.40

At the last World Cup, France suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final against Argentina, losing in a penalty shootout. At Euro 2024, they were eliminated in the semi-finals, while in the Nations League, they secured third place after beating Germany.

Didier Deschamps has led the national team since 2012, guiding France to World Cup glory in 2018, although that squad featured a more star-studded line-up.

Currently, the team boasts prolific talents such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Mbappé impresses with his incredible speed and dribbling, while Dembélé is enjoying one of his best seasons, establishing himself as a serious contender for the Golden Ball.

Despite their semi-final exit at Euro 2024 against Spain, France remains a formidable side. Mbappé and Dembélé are renowned for their ability to perform under pressure and deliver in crucial moments.

🏆 The stage is set.

🌟 The FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw
🗓️ 5 December
🌎 Washington, D.C.
📍 The Kennedy Center#WeAre26 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/AVBgG8vlSr

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) August 22, 2025

🇧🇷 Brazil — odds to win 7.40

The last major tournament for the Brazilian national team was the Copa América, where Uruguay eliminated them in the quarter-finals. At the 2022 World Cup, Brazil also exited at the quarter-final stage, losing to Croatia.

The current head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is celebrated for his tactical mastery and his ability to unlock the full potential of his players.

Brazil's squad features stars such as goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Éder Militão and Marquinhos, and midfielder Rodrigo. Special attention, however, should be given to the forwards Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, who regularly face each other in club competitions but combine effectively for the national team.

If Ancelotti succeeds in improving the transition from defence to attack and revitalising Vinícius, Brazil have every chance of thrilling their fans at the World Cup.

🚨🚨🚨OFFICIAL:

BRASIL HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/iSmDA2tRom

— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) June 11, 2025

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England — odds to win 8.00

High hopes surrounded England at Euro 2024, but they lost to Spain in the final. In the Nations League, they successfully secured promotion to League A, winning five of their six matches.

Thomas Tuchel, appointed head coach in 2025, is known for his adaptability and tactical variety. His team-building emphasises strong wing play.

The squad features stars such as Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, currently among the best midfield creators in the game, capable of crafting scoring opportunities seemingly out of nothing. Adding experience and finishing prowess is legendary striker Harry Kane.

Most England players compete in the world's top leagues and have multiple appearances in major finals. Although England fell short at Euro 2024, the team can take valuable lessons from that experience, fine-tune their game, and arrive at the World Cup ready to challenge the best, making them a genuine threat to every contender.

Your 24 #ThreeLions players for September camp! 📋

— England (@England) August 29, 2025

🇦🇷 Argentina — odds to win 9.20

Argentina entered the tournament as the reigning World Cup champions and winners of the 2024 Copa América. They are currently undefeated in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni has been the head coach since 2018, guiding the team to 64 wins in 85 matches — a win rate of over 75%. Under his leadership, Argentina has also lifted the Copa América twice in addition to the World Cup.

The team's standout player is striker Lionel Messi, whose exceptional vision creates moments of magic on the pitch. Other key contributors include Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez.

Despite these impressive achievements, Argentina faces questions over its prospects at the 2026 World Cup. Concerns centre on Messi's advancing age and a relatively limited pool of top-quality players.

🔻#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jpApqFxbYI

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) August 28, 2025

We will also analyse other teams that could pose a serious challenge, many of which have a history of reaching the finals in major tournaments. Discover the latest achievements of these sides and the key players capable of turning a match in their favour.

🇩🇪 Germany — odds to win 11.00

Following their triumph at the 2014 World Cup, Germany entered a period of restructuring and rejuvenation. Key figures, including Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller, and Toni Kroos, gradually ended their international careers. Julian Nagelsmann now leads the team, and early results suggest steady progress.

At Euro 2024, Germany were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain. In that match, they came close to ending Spain’s unbeaten run, with a potential penalty for a handball by Marc Cucurella still widely debated by experts. In the 2025 Nations League, Germany secured third place, demonstrating signs of rebuilding and tactical improvement.

Although results are not yet ideal, this represents a clear step forward compared to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, where Germany failed to progress beyond the group stage. This renewed momentum gives fans hope for a strong showing in 2026.

Germany's midfield is its strongest area, featuring Florian Wirtz, Leon Goretzka, and Joshua Kimmich. Antonio Rüdiger and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen provide reliability at the back, helping to restore the defensive stability for which Germany is historically known.

🇵🇹 Portugal — odds to win 12.00

Since their triumph at Euro 2016, Portugal has struggled to replicate that success on the world stage. At the 2018 World Cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Uruguay. At the 2022 World Cup, they exited in the quarter-finals, losing to Morocco, one of the tournament's biggest revelations.

With the arrival of Roberto Martínez and a new generation of players, including Gonçalo Ramos, the team is gradually being rebuilt. The team's leader and symbol, however, remains the ever-present goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Under Martínez, Portugal reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, losing to France, and in 2025, they won the Nations League, ending Spain's unbeaten run.

Portugal's current line-up features reliable goalkeeper Diogo Costa, midfield dynamo Bruno Fernandes, and an attack spearheaded by João Félix and Ronaldo. The blend of experience and youth makes Portugal one of the strong contenders for the knockout stages and a serious competitor for the title.

🇳🇱 Netherlands — odds to win 21.00

After reaching the final of the 2010 World Cup, where the Netherlands lost to Spain, and winning bronze at the 2014 tournament, the team entered a period of crisis, even missing out on Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. In recent years, however, the Oranje have returned to contender status. At Euro 2020, they were unexpectedly eliminated in the round of 16, while at the 2022 World Cup, they reached the quarter-finals, losing to eventual champions Argentina only in a penalty shootout. Euro 2024 was another test—the Netherlands were knocked out in the semi-finals by Spain, but showed mature, attacking football.

Under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, the team now looks balanced and ambitious. Virgil van Dijk continues to dominate in defence, Frenkie de Jong plays a pivotal role in midfield, and the attack has been revitalised thanks to Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has added confidence at the back.

With this blend of experience and emerging talent, the Netherlands have everything they need not only to qualify for the 2026 World Cup knockout stages but also to compete for medals.

🇮🇹 Italy — odds to win 26.00

Missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups was a major blow for Italy, a nation with a rich footballing history and four World Cup titles. Despite their triumph at Euro 2020 under Roberto Mancini, problems with qualifying cycles persisted, highlighting the need for renewal and stability.

The team is now led by Luciano Spalletti, who has built on Mancini's strong foundation to restore the Azzurri to top-favourite status. In defence, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, and Federico Dimarco provide reliability at the back. Experienced leaders control the midfield, while the attack is spearheaded by young, pacey forwards: Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui, Riccardo Orsolini, and Lorenzo Lucca.

This blend of experience and emerging talent, combined with Spalletti's competent leadership, gives Italy a strong chance not only to reach the 2026 World Cup knockout stages but also to compete seriously for medals.

Let's move on from words to a comparison of the actual World Cup winning odds for reaching the playoffs and winning the 2026 World Cup. The data reflects the average data collected by Boomerangbet as of August 29, 2025.

Our pick for the 2026 World Cup winner is Brazil, with odds of 7.40. Despite Spain's dominance in Europe, the Seleção boasts a powerful attack, and Carlo Ancelotti's experience and tactical acumen make Brazil the main favourite for the upcoming tournament.

Argentina, fresh from its 2024 Copa América triumph, remains a strong contender. However, history is not on their side: only two teams have ever successfully defended a World Cup title, making it unlikely that Argentina will repeat the feat.

Germany and England also deserve attention. Both squads are in a rebuilding phase, and early results are promising. Odds of 8.00 for Germany and 11.00 for England suggest attractive opportunities for risk-takers.

Italy should not be overlooked either. After missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the Azzurri are aiming to return to the top tier of world football. With pre-tournament odds of 26.00, backing Italy is a risky but potentially rewarding move.

Historical data on the number of World Cup wins and recent cup winners will help you build a reliable betting strategy. Below, we have compiled information on all-time titles in the table.