World Cup Favourites: Top Contenders & Dark Horses for 2026

Who will win the World Cup in 2026? The tournament in North America kicks off in June 2026, and we now have the clearest possible picture of the World Cup favourites.

European kings, Spain, are still the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy, but the expanded 48-team format adds new variables.

This article analyses the teams most likely to succeed in the USA, Mexico and Canada. We examine squad depth, recent form, tournament know-how, and the latest market odds from the top World Cup betting sites to provide our top 5 picks and dark horses for the 2026 World Cup trophy.

5 Favourite Teams to Win the 2026 World Cup

Based on our research, the following nations consistently top the bookmaker lists when it comes to winning the 2026 World Cup tournament. All listed odds are courtesy of Easybet, correct at the time of writing and subject to change thereafter.

1. Spain

Spain is currently the standout choice among World Cup favourites while also holding the title of European champions. Their tactical evolution under Luis de la Fuente has been impressive, blending their traditional possession game with deep, downfield pressure.

Odds: 5.55

La Roja finished their qualifying group with a perfect record of 10 wins. The team recently beat Turkey 4-0 in a March friendly match. Lamine Yamal contributed two goals and one assist in that game.

The squad has now reached 30 games without a defeat in regular time. Luis de la Fuente has integrated 12 new players over the last year. These young stars help maintain an average of 68% ball possession per match. Therefore, they enter the summer as the primary team to beat.

2. France

France will always be perennial World Cup favourites. Having reached the final in three of the last seven tournaments, their consistency is unmatched. Despite a semi-final exit at Euro 2024, they cruised through their World Cup qualifying group.

Odds: 6.57

France is currently ranked number 1 by the governing body, at the time of writing. They won seven of their eight qualifying matches last year. In March 2026, they defeated Brazil 2-1 in a high-profile friendly. Kylian Mbappé scored the winning goal in the 84th minute.

The team averaged 2.8 goals per game during their recent European campaign. They have also kept five clean sheets in their last seven fixtures. Didier Deschamps has a pool of 50 elite players to choose from. After all, their depth remains the envy of international football.

3. England

In 1996, David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds released a song called Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home). In 1966, England won the World Cup for the first and only time.

Based on this stat alone, you’d be forgiven for thinking they don’t belong on a list of 2026 World Cup favourites. It’s this author’s opinion that England is arguably the most talented team yet to win a major trophy in the modern era. And after the heartbreak of the Euro 2024 final, the “Three Lions” are more motivated than ever.

Odds: 7.11

England finished their qualifying campaign with 24 points from eight matches. Thomas Tuchel has won nine of his first 10 games in charge. The team recently drew 1-1 against Uruguay in a friendly match. Harry Kane scored the only goal for the Three Lions.

The captain has now scored 12 goals under the new manager’s leadership. England’s defence has conceded only three goals in the last 12 months. They currently sit fourth in the official rankings. Nevertheless, the squad feels ready to challenge for their second star.

4. Brazil

You cannot discuss World Cup favourites without mentioning Brazil. At least that’s what the numbers say. 7-time finalists and 5-time winners. But numbers and history aren’t everything.

Brazil are currently in a transitional phase, but with an unrivalled pedigree in World Cup history, the South Americans are a top contender. Under new boss Carlo Ancelotti, they have stabilised after a rocky start to the qualifiers, climbing back into the top spots of the South American table and qualifying.

Odds: 9.09

Brazil occupies the 6th position in the official rankings at the time of writing. They ended the South American qualifiers with nine victories from 18 matches. Carlo Ancelotti has focused on improving a defence that conceded 16 goals. They recently lost 2-1 to France in a March friendly.

Vinícius Júnior remains their most productive player with six goals in qualifying. The team also recorded a 3-0 win over South Korea last October. They currently average 14 shots on target per game. However, they must find more consistency against the top European nations.

5. Argentina

The reigning World Cup champions have shown no signs of slowing down. By winning the 2024 Copa América and dominating the South American qualifiers, Argentina has proven they have the hunger to go back-to-back in North America.

Odds: 9.10

Argentina topped the South American table with 40 points from 18 games. They recorded 13 wins and suffered only two defeats during the cycle. The reigning champions recently beat Germany 2-0 in a friendly. Lionel Messi provided both assists in that match in preparation for his potential final tournament.

The team has conceded only eight goals in their last 15 competitive matches. They currently sit second in the official rankings. Lionel Scaloni has used 28 different players throughout the qualifying process. Therefore, the squad is balanced and experienced for the title defence.

World Cup Dark Horses

While the giants dominate the headlines, the expanded format leaves room for surprises. These three nations have the quality to disrupt the World Cup favourites and go deep in the tournament. We’ll include the Easybet odds for each team to win the tournament, but don’t bet your house on them. Seriously, DON’T!

Portugal

Odds: 12.00

Portugal currently sits seventh in the official rankings. They finished their qualifying group with nine wins from 10 matches. In March 2026, they secured a 4-1 victory over Sweden in Lisbon.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 135th international goal during that match in preparation for what may be his final appearance. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes created 32 chances throughout the qualifying rounds. Therefore, they bridge the gap between the favourites and the field.

Morocco

Odds: 51.94

Morocco is the highest-ranked African nation according to the governing body. They recently won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil (in admittedly controversial fashion). The team recorded five wins and two draws during that tournament.

They conceded only two goals across seven matches in the competition. Brahim Díaz has now integrated into the squad with four goals. After all, their 2022 semi-final run was clearly no fluke.

Uruguay

Odds: 67.59

Uruguay finished second in the South American qualifying group with 35 points. They recorded 10 victories, including famous wins over Brazil and Argentina. In March 2026, they earned 1-1 draws against both England and Argentina.

Darwin Núñez finished the qualifying cycle with eight goals. Federico Valverde covered an average of 11 kilometres per match during these games. However, they have not won this trophy since 1950. They have been waiting longer than England. Take that into consideration.

How We Analyse the Favourite Teams for the World Cup

Identifying the World Cup favourites, and even the dark horses, is not a guessing game. Experts and regulated operators rely on specific data points to predict which nations will succeed. We combine five key metrics to create an accurate map of the title contenders.

Official Ranking

We track a team’s evolution over the last 12 months. Consistently staying in the top 10 in the governing body’s eyes is a strong indicator of stability and quality.

Recent Performance

We analyse form in major tournaments like the Euro 2024 (Spain), Copa América 2024 (Argentina), and AFCON 2025 (Morocco). We also check recent Nations League and Championship results, as well as international friendlies.

Squad Quality

A starting XI is not enough to win a 48-team tournament. We assess the depth of the bench and international experience. True contenders have elite replacements ready to step in when injuries strike.

Bookmakers’ Odds

We monitor the markets on top-rated sites regulated by boards like the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) to see how they price each nation. Shifting odds often reveal insider confidence before it hits the news.

Cup History

Teams with a history of lifting the trophy often navigate the knockout stages better than inexperienced sides. We value this “winning culture” highly when picking 2026 World Cup favourites.

You can learn more about applying these metrics in our guide on how to bet on the World Cup.

A Look Back at the 2022 World Cup

The 2022 final in Qatar was arguably the greatest in history. Argentina faced France in a cinematic match that ended 3-3 after extra time, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé trading blows. One man proving, once and for all, that he is the GOAT and another trying to take the crown. Argentina eventually triumphed on penalties.

Both teams entered that tournament as heavy World Cup favourites. Argentina had won the 2021 Copa América, and France were the defending World champions. They lived up to the billing, proving that pre-tournament form is a reliable indicator. In contrast, other touted favourites like Brazil and Belgium fell short, highlighting the volatility of knockout football.

Responsible Gambling

Betting should always be done for entertainment, not as a way to make money. It is crucial to stay in control.

1. Set Limits: Use tools provided by bookmakers to cap your deposits and losses.
2. Take Breaks: If you feel frustrated, step away.
3. Know the Signs: Chasing losses is a major warning sign for having a gambling problem.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008/076 675 0710 (WhatsApp).

Final Thoughts: What to Expect from the Favourites

The 2026 World Cup promises to be highly competitive. Spain and France currently set the standard, but England, Brazil and Argentina are close behind. The expansion to 48 teams means favourites will have to navigate an extra knockout round, increasing the physical demand and the chance of an upset.

While technical analysis helps identify likely winners, football is unpredictable. Injuries, red cards or a penalty shootout can derail even the strongest World Cup favourites. We recommend using this data to inform your decisions, but always remember that no outcome is guaranteed.

For more detailed market prices, check our dedicated section on World Cup odds. Beginners still learning the ropes of the sport can consult our guide on how to bet on soccer in South Africa.

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