The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams on its main stage. Fans will witness a new format during the earlier phase of the tournament. The governing body has expanded the competition to make it more competitive and exciting. But which teams are the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA WC? SportsMaona provides the FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction along with Odds. Also, Most Famous Rivalries in Football (Top 10 Popular Soccer Rivalry).
FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction
What are the odds for the World Cup 2026? Check out the outright odds for the 2026 Soccer World Cup. Who is the favorite to win the World Cup? We also list out the hot favorites for the alluded tournament. Which country will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Also, find out the most likely winner in North America.
Football World Cup 2026 Odds
| Country | Confederation | Odds to Win 2026 WC |
| France | UEFA | 7.00 |
| Spain | UEFA | 7.00 |
| Brazil | CONMEBOL | 7.50 |
| England | UEFA | 7.50 |
| Argentina | CONMEBOL | 11.00 |
| Germany | UEFA | 11.00 |
| Portugal | UEFA | 17.00 |
| Netherlands | UEFA | 21.00 |
| Italy | UEFA | 21.00 |
| Uruguay | CONMEBOL | 34.00 |
| Belgium | UEFA | 34.00 |
| Colombia | CONMEBOL | 41.00 |
| USA | CONCACAF | 51.00 |
| Mexico | CONCACAF | 67.00 |
| Croatia | UEFA | 67.00 |
| Denmark | UEFA | 67.00 |
| Norway | UEFA | 67.00 |
| Japan | AFC | 101.00 |
| Morocco | CAF | 101.00 |
| Switzerland | UEFA | 101.00 |
| Austria | UEFA | 101.00 |
| Serbia | UEFA | 101.00 |
| Canada | CONCACAF | 151.00 |
| Egypt | CAF | 151.00 |
| Ghana | CAF | 151.00 |
| Senegal | CAF | 151.00 |
| South Korea | AFC | 151.00 |
| Sweden | UEFA | 151.00 |
| Chile | CONMEBOL | 201.00 |
| Ivory Coast | CAF | 201.00 |
| Ukraine | UEFA | 201.00 |
| Ecuador | CONMEBOL | 201.00 |
| Algeria | CAF | 201.00 |
| Nigeria | CAF | 201.00 |
| Poland | UEFA | 201.00 |
| Turkey | UEFA | 201.00 |
| Cameroon | CAF | 251.00 |
| Paraguay | CONMEBOL | 251.00 |
| Venezuela | CONMEBOL | 251.00 |
| Czech Republic | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Slovakia | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Georgia | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Slovenia | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Tunisia | CAF | 501.00 |
| Peru | CONMEBOL | 501.00 |
| Romania | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Scotland | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Wales | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Australia | AFC | 501.00 |
| Bolivia | CONMEBOL | 501.00 |
| China | AFC | 501.00 |
| Greece | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Hungary | UEFA | 501.00 |
| Iran | AFC | 501.00 |
| South Africa | CAF | 501.00 |
| Panama | CONCACAF | 751.00 |
| Albania | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Bahrain | AFC | 1001.00 |
| Bulgaria | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Costa Rica | CONCACAF | 1001.00 |
| DR Congo | CAF | 1001.00 |
| Finland | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Honduras | CONCACAF | 1001.00 |
| Iceland | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Jamaica | CONCACAF | 1001.00 |
| Montenegro | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| New Zealand | OFC | 1001.00 |
| Northern Ireland | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Palestine | AFC | 1001.00 |
| Qatar | AFC | 1001.00 |
| Ireland | UEFA | 1001.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | AFC | 1001.00 |
| United Arab Emirates | AFC | 1001.00 |
Who is the Favorite to Win the World Cup 2026?
Multiple heavyweights will go all gun blazing during the next World Cup. Here are the sides that are the top contenders for the 2026 Soccer World Cup.
France
No team has been more consistent in the World Cup events than France in the last 3 decades. Apart from winning twice within the last 6 editions, they have reached the finals twice more. Indeed, Les Bleus featured in 4 finals over the last 6 editions, the most by any side during this period. Moreover, their latest generation took them to the final on the back-to-back editions. After the glory in Russia in 2018, they came close to defending their title in Qatar 2022. Kylian Mbappe turned out to be a monster in the World Cups. The Real Madrid forward grabbed the Best Young Players Award in 2018 while snatching the Golden Boot in 2022, fighting against the Great Lionel Messi.
Antoine Griezmann, who was really instrumental in both of those editions, will be badly missed in North America. But a number of youngsters are already set to replace the retired French stars including the likes of Griezmann, Lorris, and others. Saliba, Olise, Barcola, Cherki, etc are ready to take on new challenges. That’s why the odds are putting France at the pole position.
Spain
The European Champions are now putting their eyes on their 2nd World title. The southwestern European nation didn’t have to wait long to find yet another solid generation. Their golden generation has yielded them a World Cup and a couple of Euros. And the now successors of the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Casillas, Ramos, etc; have already won a Euro. They will be among the hot favorites in the 2026 North America World Cup.
Luis De La Fuente has really done well with his young guns. Yamal, Nico, Pedri, Gavi, Cubrasi, Fermin Lopez, Baena; all these sensations are giving Spanish supporters real hope for their next title. Yet again La Masia presents the most number of young sensations quite like their run in 2010 that featured many Barca products. Yes, don’t forget experienced Simon, Caravajal, Rodri, Morata, Normand, Cucurella, etc. No doubt, any side will try to avoid Spain during the next World Cup.
England
The Three Lions played back-to-back Euro finals. You may not like their playing style but they produced good results only except in the finals. They also played in the semi-final of the Russia World Cup and lost to defending champion France in Qatar in the Quarterfinal. Well, all those are past stories with Gareth Southgate gone. Thomas Tuchel is set to be on the wheel from the start of 2025. No doubt, England has one of the most potential squads in the football world. They have got tremendous mixture of youth and experience.
Kane, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Palmer, Rashford, Rice, Trippier, Walker, Stones; the English tank is full of serious weapons. Tuchel has been a successful coach in Europe and this time the whole of England will put their eyes on him and his side when they take on American soil. We place the English side among the top 6 contenders in our FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction.
Brazil
When it comes to the World Cup, there is no historically more enriched side than Brazil. The Selecaos have been the most successful side in the competition history. But they will be going to the ’26 WC with a 24-year trophy draught. No doubt, they still have one of the most formidable squads in world football. But somehow their star players failed to click when it mattered the most. They have displayed disastrous performances in the last few mega events, to be honest. Fans are not happy and obviously expect way more than their recent performances.
Can Brazil win the 2026 World Cup? They are among the top 5 favorite sides to do so but their players must show patriotism. They have got the likes of Vini Jr, Rodrygo, Raphinha, and others. But many claim that stars like Vini or Rodrygo show a lack of love for their country. It needs to be changed and Dorival Jnr may find it difficult. If the Brazilian stars really feel they need to do it for their fans, we may see a fearsome complexion of the current Brazilian side. But as of now, their mentality and lack of passion for the national side should change.
Argentina
Probably, the name many of you were searching for. Obviously, the defending champions are among the top 5 favorites for the ’26 WC. The biggest advantage the Albicelestes have is their players’ mindset. The stars of White & Sky Blue are too keen to achieve for their country. This is what helped them win the World Cup in Qatar. Obviously, they will miss the service of Angel Di Maria in North America and that will be a massive miss. Leo Messi too will be close to his 40 but we still expect him there play in a substitute role. In fact, his presence is the most important thing for this Argentine side.
The current World Champions have a balanced squad and it really starts from the GK spot up to the front line. Emi Martinez is a true asset for any side especially in the knockout competitions. Romero, Lisandro, Enzo, Mac Allister, De Paul, Alvarez, Lautaro, etc. might be the key players apart from Leo & Emi.
Germany
The Germans had 2 World Cup editions to forget after their glory in Brazil (2014). The 4-time world champions were knocked out twice from the group stage. That was completely shocking for the fans who were never used to scenarios like that. But now their youngsters look more ready for the bigger stages. Although they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 and might miss some of their experienced stars in North America, we still think their youngsters will be ready for the challenge in 2026. Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, and Florian Wirtz will be probably the most crucial options for Julian Naglesmann.
Portugal
Probably Portugal will be the side that most people will have their eyes on during the next World Cup. With Lionel Messi reaching his final peak for Argentina, now it’s the turn for Cristiano Ronaldo, many of his fans think. Yes, CR7 will be over 40 when he represents Portugal in his 7th World Cup. Many critics also think he shouldn’t be on the squad! But we do believe, Roberto Martinez won’t dare to do that. Even if he plays as a substitute option, still he can be handy during the death minutes. Ronaldo might not be at his best as an overall player but he is still a quality scorer and converter.
Keeping Cristiano aside, the current Portugal side has everything a side needs to challenge for the world title. Keeper Diogo Costa had a good Euro and has learned some crucial lessons in Germany. The defense line has the likes of Dias, Cancelo, Mendes, Semedo, Dalot, etc. The Portuguese midfield is one of the best in the world featuring Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Palhinha, Neves, Nenes, Otavio, etc. Leao, Jota, Felix, Conceicao, Ramos; all these guys are good scorers and this Portuguese side really has the ability to go for the title challenge. So, the Celecaos are a serious contender in our FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction.
Italy
Among all the favorites, Italy tasted the worst experience in the last 4 football World Cups. After winning the 2006 FIFA WC, the Azzurri couldn’t go past the group stage in the 2010 and 2014 editions. To make matters worse, the 4-time world champions failed to qualify for the next 2 editions in 2018 and 2022. Even after winning the 2020 Euros, they still couldn’t grab a plot in the Qatar edition. But this time an expanded 48-team competition almost guarantees a spot for them.
The current Italian team seems capable enough on pen and paper. But to win the World Cup, a side needs to be at its absolute best with the blessing of good luck. The key players for Italy will include Barella, Chiesa, Di Lorenzo, Donnarumma, etc.
Netherlands
One of the unluckiest sides in the FIFA World Cup history. They came close on numerous occasions to lift the trophy but somehow failed all those times. Can the Netherlands win the World Cup 2026? It’s tough to answer. But one thing we can assure is that they certainly have the ability. The Dutch defense line is definitely world-class. And the Men in Orange have regular scorers at the front as well. Key players for the Holland side include Virgil Van Djik, Cody Gakpo, D Malen, Memphis Depay, Frenkie De Jong, S De Vrij, etc.
Belgium
Probably the side you’d consider as a favorite during the last 3 editions. But to be honest, with the golden generation gone, we don’t expect much from the current Belgian side. Yes, they still have a good squad but that doesn’t look enough for World Cup glory. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku, Louis Openda, Yannick Carrasco, etc will be there but the Belgian defense line has lost its world-class status right after the 2018 WC. Moreover, the Tedesco-Courtois battle made things worse for the Red Devils.
Uruguay
One must consider them more seriously for the 2026 edition. Uruguay hasn’t been at the top of their form since the 2011 Copa America won nothing in the last one and a-half decades. But they have found some rhythm in the post-Qatar-WC era. This current Uruguay team makes the fans believe that they can really challenge the world for their 3rd-ever FIFA title. The winner of the inaugural edition might be a challenging opposition for any side.
What is the Prediction for the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is gonna be a special tournament with a new format and an extended number of teams. Many teams may play their first-ever FIFA World Cup (main stage). But yet again, the major title challengers will be the same. It’s way too early to call the winner with years to go. But SportsMaona currently thinks it will be a battle between mainly around 5-6 teams. We suspect the following sides as the top-most favorites for the 2026 Soccer World Cup:
- France
- Spain
- Argentina
- Portugal
- Brazil and
- England.
But if you are searching for the one specific prediction then our top pick will be Argentina. We are putting the Albicelestes ahead because of the monster mentality of their players along with tremendous dedication to the national team. Moreover, this time they will be relieved from their burdens. So, our FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction is that Argentina will defend their title.
