Every four years, soccer enthusiasts have a party to remember: the World Cup. The best part is that everybody is welcome, and by analyzing the World Cup winning odds, everyone can cash in, not just the team that lifts the trophy. Let’s get to it. There’s also a new format to comprehend, and checking history never hurts.
2026 FIFA World Cup: History, New Format, and Favorite Teams to Win
Up until the 2022 edition, 80 different teams have played in the World Cup, but only eight have won it. Brazil leads the podium with five titles, followed by Germany and Italy, both with four.
Argentina will be defending the title in 2026, but to find a back-to-back World Cup champion, you must travel back to 1962, when Brazil won its second title. Also, four of the previous five winners came from Europe.
The 2026 edition will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Keep in mind that the Grand Finale will take place in the U.S., and the last time this happened, Brazil won the title.
In fact, the only European team to have won the title in a World Cup held on the American continent was Germany in 2014. There have been eight World Cups on American soil.
New Format
Before checking and analyzing World Cup odds, it’s essential to discuss the new format. First, the total number of teams increased from 32 to 48, meaning there will be more games. There will be many first-timers, such as Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde.
World Cup betting action will be a frenzy, with 104 games in total. There will be 12 groups, with four teams per group, and the top two from each group will advance. Additionally, the best eight teams that finished third will also advance. In summary, the knockout stages will begin with the Round of 32.
Favorite 5 Teams to Win the 2026 World Cup
Spain
Spain will arrive at the 2026 World Cup as European champions. The young core of Pedri Gonzalez, Dean Huijsen, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal is ready to consolidate alongside veterans such as Rodrigo Hernandez, Unai Simon, Aymeric Laporte, and Mikel Merino.
Every European club considered a powerhouse has a Spanish player: PSG, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and, of course, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Three of the best head coaches in the business are from Spain: Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Xabi Alonso. In other words, Spaniards are certified winners.
La Roja, which won the World Cup for the last time in 2010, is +450 in our soccer odds to dethrone Argentina.
England
England last won the World Cup in 1966. Since then, the Three Lions have had incredible rosters and the best head coaches, yet they haven’t even finished as runners-up. So, why are they among the favorites? Because once again, they own a sick roster! Including Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Marcus Rashford.
Also, the Three Lions have had better results recently. They haven’t won anything, but at least they reached the EURO final in 2020 and 2024.
As for the World Cup odds, they sit at +550.
France
France should be +400, same as Spain, but Les Bleus are +800. If Randal Kolo Muani scores in the 94th minute of the 2022 World Cup final, France would have become a back-to-back champion. However, he closed his eyes and hit Emiliano Martinez instead.
The good news is that France’s core is even better than Spain’s, but La Roja has better chemistry. France’s roster includes Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde, and Aurelien Tchouameni, among others.
Besides the two last World Cup finals, France also played in the 2016 EURO final and the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League final. Les Bleus are used to being a contender, so there’s no pressure.
Brazil
Brazil’s +800 odds are based on two factors: history and Carlo Ancelotti. Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002 and, like England, hasn’t played in the final since. They only won one of the last six Copa America editions.
Adding Carlo Ancelotti is huge for two reasons. First, the Italian head coach is a certified winner. He won everything while coaching Real Madrid and AC Milan. Second, he’s very familiar with some of the team’s superstars, such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Casemiro, and Raphinha. He knows how to get the best in them.
Finally, one can never discard Brazil, as no other team has won more World Cups than the South Americans (five).
Argentina
You didn’t think Lionel Messi and company were out of the list, right? The reigning champs are +800 after winning the 2022 edition and the 2024 Copa America. You may be wondering why they aren’t atop the board, and that’s because some of the heroes won’t be at their best in 2026, including Angel Di Maria, Emiliano Martinez, and Messi. Even younger players like Rodrigo de Paul, who left Atletico Madrid to play for Inter Miami, won’t be the same. The rhythm and the intensity between MLS and a European league are very different.
Even so, head coach Lionel Scaloni has done an excellent job keeping a winning mentality. Also, younger players like Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) and Claudio Echeverri (Bayer Leverkusen) can be the breath of fresh air that Argentina desperately needs.
Dark Horses
Before wrapping up, let’s talk about Portugal (+1100) and Germany (+1200), two powerhouses that no favorite wants to face. Both are close in the World Cup betting lines, but Portugal has extra motivation: Cristiano Ronaldo and, especially, Diogo Jota.
The 2026 World Cup will be Ronaldo’s last, and the team around him is sensationally good, including Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Francisco Conceicao, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias.
Regarding Germany, they are rebuilding, but their attacking unit is top-notch, which includes Florian Wirtz, Serge Gnabry, Karim Adeyemi, Nick Woltemade, Maximilian Beier, and Felix Nmecha. Germany last won the World Cup in 2014.
