TL;DR
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unprecedented with 48 teams and matches across three nations.
- Argentina are defending champions, with France, England, and Portugal also considered top contenders.
- France, Spain, Brazil, England, and Argentina are among the favorites with current betting odds.
- Emerging talent and established stars feature in the leading nations' squads for the 2026 tournament.
With knowledge of 42 of the 48 qualified nations and the 22 clubs competing for the last six spots in March, wagers are increasingly being placed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This World Cup is set to be unprecedented, marking the first time 48 teams will compete, with matches spanning three nations.
The defending champions are Lionel Messi's Argentina, having beaten France on penalties in arguably the greatest final in history. Both countries are again among the current front runners to triumph next year, alongside Thomas Tuchel's England and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
Who do you think will take home the 2026 World Cup trophy? Will football finally come home? AllSportsPeople is your source for the most current odds and where to locate the best deals.
Erling Haaland's Norway (33/1) has entered the top 10, displacing Italy, who now face playoffs to prevent a third consecutive World Cup absence.
Odds for the 2026 World Cup champion
Here's the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
Six of these 10 are best price with bet365 at the time of writing.
| Country | Odds |
| Spain | 9/2 |
| England | 13/2 |
| France | 13/2 |
| Brazil | 8/1 |
| Argentina | 9/1 |
| Portugal | 12/1 |
| Germany | 14/1 |
| Netherlands | 20/1 |
| Norway | 33/1 |
Betting on the 2026 World Cup: Top picks and leading teams
France
With arguably the most talent of any nation in global football currently and having reached the last two finals, it's no surprise Les Bleus are considered second favorites.
Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele head a stellar lineup, which also includes the most promising emerging stars in French soccer: Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Rayan Cherki.
Selecting all of them for a starting lineup will be extremely difficult, but Didier Deschamps needs to loosen the reins on his team now, unlike during Euro 2024.
It could be the difference between a third World Cup or yet another near-miss.
Spain
La Roja's status as favorites is well-earned, considering their Euro 2024 victory and a narrow loss on penalties in the Nations League final.
They also defeated France in both contests, demonstrating their capability against a team they might encounter in North America next summer.
While Lamine Yamal clearly shines, Luis de la Fuente also has Euros final goal scorers Nico Williams and the often overlooked Mikel Oyarzabal available for scoring.
Spain arguably possesses the most formidable midfield in global football currently, featuring Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, and Martin Zubimendi vying for a spot alongside Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or recipient.
Brazil
Brazil have won the World Cup on a record five occasions, but it will be a 24-year drought by the time they kick off next summer.
They have not made a final in that time either, being knocked out by European opposition in each of the last five tournaments.
Last time, their quarter-final exit might have marked Neymar's last World Cup for The Selecao, yet they boast an exceptional pool of talent, including Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha.
Can Carlo Ancelotti do what he's done with Real Madrid and make all the pieces work together?
MORE: Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
England
It will be 60 years of hurt by the time the Three Lions make their way across the Atlantic.
Thomas Tuchel now holds the responsibility of ending the notorious dry spell, a feat Gareth Southgate nearly achieved with Two Euros final defeats.
This German coach boasts a significant tournament history at the club level, though this marks his initial international role. His debut was less than stellar, but he demonstrated ambition with a decisive 5-0 victory in Serbia, subsequently building on that momentum through a comparable dominant display to clinch qualification in Latvia.
MORE: Predicting Thomas Tuchel's World Cup XI
Argentina
You might find it a bit unexpected to see the World Cup and Copa America winners outside the top three in the betting, but this squad is aging and could be past its prime by next summer.
Even at 39, Lionel Messi will remain the primary figure, but for Argentina to have a genuine shot at defending their title, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister will need to elevate their performances further.
They booked their spot by winning the South America qualifying group by nine points.
Could they do it again?
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Germany
Since claiming their fourth World Cup title in 2014, Germany has endured a difficult ten years, experiencing early exits from the group stage in the last two World Cups and failing to reach the finals in any of the three European Championships held during that period.
Under Julian Nagelsmann's leadership, the situation has improved, marked by close defeats in Euro 2024 and the 2025 Nations League against the eventual champions, Spain and Portugal.
Considering their promising young players, notably Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, and their established reputation as a footballing powerhouse, it's impossible to dismiss their chances.
Portugal
Might it finally be the year for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo to lift the World Cup?
It seems things are falling into place, as the Nations League victory against Spain comes after several of their players played significant parts in PSG's Champions League success.
With the inclusion of talents such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and the exciting Francisco Conceicao, Roberto Martinez commands a squad that can rival any other.
Not to mention Ronaldo, who amazingly looks set to play in his sixth and surely final World Cup at the age of 41. What a way it would be for him to sign off and complete a perfect career.