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 betting odds, everyone can cash in, not just the team that lifts the trophy. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Favorite Teams to Win the 2026 World Cup
Spain +425
Spain will arrive at the 2026 World Cup as European champions and is currently favored to win the tournament at +425 odds. Their odds improved significantly from +1000 to +400 following their Euro 2024 triumph. A dominant qualification campaign and a deep squad of young stars support Spain’s favorite status. The young core of stars like 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. Lamine Yamal, in particular, is expected to be a key player for Spain in the 2026 World Cup and is a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
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 +425 in our soccer odds to dethrone Argentina.
England +550
England last won the World Cup in 1966. Since then, the Three Lions have had incredible rosters and top head coaches, yet they haven’t even finished as runners-up. England is currently listed as the second favorite to win the 2026 World Cup with +550 odds, and their squad is managed by Thomas Tuchel. Expectations are high for England, given their strong squad and recent performances. Their stars, including Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Marcus Rashford, are expected to play a crucial role in their tournament prospects.
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 +525
France is the third favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup with +400 odds. The French team is a strong contender, having made the last two finals and possessing a talented squad led by stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. 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 the French core is even better than Spain’s, but La Roja has better chemistry. France’s roster includes Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Koundé, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, among others, with the team led by these standout stars.
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 +800
Brazil is listed at +800 odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Brazil’s +800 odds are based on two factors: history and Carlo Ancelotti. Despite their historical success, expectations for Brazil are tempered by their recent struggles, as they have not made a semifinal since 2014. 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 +800
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. Argentina is listed at +800 odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While expectations are high for the defending champions, there are concerns about the age of their squad. 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. Portugal is listed at +1100 odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they have extra motivation: Cristiano Ronaldo and, especially, Diogo Jota. The 2026 World Cup is expected to be Ronaldo’s sign-off from international football, and his goal will be to lift the trophy one last time. The team around him is sensationally good, including Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Francisco Conceicao, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias.
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.
Norway’s odds shortened from 40/1 to 25/1 after a perfect qualification run led by Erling Haaland, as the team kicked into gear at just the right time. The United States and Mexico are both long shots at +5000 odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Canada is considered a long shot with odds typically between +15000 and +20000. Colombia is viewed as a dark horse with odds around +3300, and Ecuador is being highlighted for its strong defense. Both Colombia and Ecuador are being watched as potential dark horses for the tournament.
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.
