Check out the latest odds to win the 2026 World Cup, analyse on the top contenders and Oddschecker's betting insights.
France and Spain are the joint-favourites to win the 2026 World Cup at 5/1, with England next in the betting at 7/1.
England are currently the most-backed team in the market on Oddschecker, accounting for 17% of World Cup winner bets over the last seven days, ahead of France on 16%, Portugal and Netherlands on 12%, and Spain on 8%.
The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with FIFA confirming a 48-team, 104-match tournament and a final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July 2026.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
As mentioned, Spain & France top the betting at 5/1 to win the 2026 World Cup, followed by England (7/1), Brazil (9/1), Argentina (10/1) and Portugal (11/1).
France — 5/1
France are joint-favourites at 5/1 and remain one of the most reliable tournament teams in world football.
Didier Deschamps led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final in 2022, and the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament as France manager. That gives Les Bleus both elite continuity and a clear “last dance” storyline.
With Kylian Mbappe still the headline name and a squad containing high-level options across defence, midfield and attack, France’s price is built on more than reputation. Their Group I draw with Senegal, Iraq and Norway is not straightforward, but France have the tournament experience to justify their place at the top of the market.
Spain — 5/1
Spain are also 5/1 and may be the strongest favourites on recent form.
Luis de la Fuente’s side won Euro 2024 and Spain will be the team to beat heading into the World Cup, with their depth, tactical control and blend of established midfielders and younger attackers making them a benchmark for the rest of the field.
The interesting angle is the gap between odds and bet share. Spain are joint-favourites with France, but they have attracted just 8% of Oddschecker winner bets in the last seven days. That suggests bookmakers are more convinced by Spain than the betting public currently appears to be.
England — 7/1
England are third-favourites at 7/1, but they are the most-backed side with Oddschecker users.
Thomas Tuchel’s team have taken 17% of tournament winner bets over the last seven days, ahead of both France and Spain. That public interest is easy to understand: England have Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and one of the deepest squads in the competition.
However, England still face questions over their tactical identity under Tuchel, as well as their reliance on Kane. The Bayern Munich striker remains central to England’s hopes, with his form and fitness as potentially decisive to their World Cup fate.
England’s Group L campaign starts against Croatia before fixtures against Ghana and Panama, giving them a clear but potentially testing route into the knockouts.
Brazil — 9/1
Brazil are 9/1, putting the five-time world champions fourth in the betting.
Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment gives Brazil one of the biggest managerial names in the tournament, but there is still a sense that they are less settled than the European favourites. Casemiro has said Brazil not being among the top favourites could help keep them focused, while also acknowledging that Spain, France and England are viewed ahead of them by bookmakers.
At 9/1, Brazil look like a high-ceiling contender rather than a fully convincing favourite. Their squad has enough talent to win the tournament, but the market is asking whether Ancelotti has had enough time to turn that talent into a title-winning team.
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Argentina — 10/1
Argentina are 10/1 to defend the World Cup they won in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are trying to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. Argentina have retained much of their 2022 core and followed their World Cup win by lifting the 2024 Copa America.
The obvious subplot is Lionel Messi. Argentina still have the structure, experience and attacking quality to go deep, but the price reflects the challenge of defending a World Cup with an ageing core.
Portugal — 11/1
Portugal are 11/1 and have attracted 12% of World Cup winner bets on Oddschecker over the last seven days.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a sixth World Cup, but Portugal’s case is not built solely around him. They have world-class midfield led by Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes, and a squad featuring the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes and other elite-level options.
Portugal’s Group K draw with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia gives them a strong chance of reaching the knockouts, although Colombia should be a serious test. At 11/1, they are one of the most interesting contenders outside the top three.
Germany — 16/1
Germany are 16/1 to win the 2026 World Cup, putting the four-time champions just outside the leading group of contenders.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have been drawn in Group E with Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador, giving them a route they will expect to navigate, but Germany’s recent World Cup record adds a note of caution. After group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022, this tournament is as much about restoring status as it is about chasing a fifth world title. Nagelsmann’s squad includes a mix of experience and high-end talent, with Manuel Neuer returning as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, while Joshua Kimmich and Florian Wirtz are among the headline names.
At 16/1, Germany offer a bigger price than France, Spain and England, but their ceiling is obvious if Wirtz and Musiala can provide creativity behind a more settled spine. The question is whether Nagelsmann has built enough consistency and resilience for Germany to go from dangerous outsiders to genuine tournament winners.
Netherlands — 20/1
The Netherlands are 20/1, but their Oddschecker bet share is eye-catching.
Ronald Koeman’s side have taken 12% of winner bets over the last seven days, level with Portugal and more than Spain. Koeman says feels more positive than he did before Euro 2024, partly because the Dutch are expected to have a fully fit squad.
The Netherlands face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F. They are not priced like a leading favourite, but the current bet share suggests Oddschecker users see value in the Dutch at a bigger price.
Dark Horses to Win the World Cup 2026
Beyond the leading contenders, Norway, Japan and Morocco look like three of the most interesting outsiders in the World Cup winner market. All three are priced at 35/1 or bigger, but each has a clear route to causing problems for more fancied teams.
Norway — 35/1
Norway are 35/1 to win the World Cup and have attracted 4% of Oddschecker winner bets over the last seven days.
The obvious appeal is their attacking ceiling. Norway can dream big thanks to a golden generation led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, with Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, Andreas Schjelderup and Jorgen Strand Larsen giving Stale Solbakken serious forward depth. Haaland scored 16 goals in qualifying, while Odegaard is the key link between midfield and attack.
Norway have been drawn with France, Iraq and Senegal in Group I, so their route is far from easy. This is Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, which adds to the sense of occasion but also highlights their lack of recent tournament experience.
At 35/1, Norway are not priced like a complete team, but if Haaland is in form and Odegaard controls enough of the ball, Norway have the firepower to drag stronger sides into uncomfortable games.
Japan — 66/1
Japan are 66/1 to win the World Cup, with 2% of Oddschecker winner bets in the last seven days.
They may be a bigger price than Norway, but Japan have the profile of a classic tournament dark horse. Hajime Moriyasu’s side arrive at their eighth consecutive World Cup after high-profile wins over Brazil and England in the past year, while their 2022 group-stage victories over Spain and Germany remain strong evidence that they can beat elite opposition.
The challenge is turning giant-killing potential into a deeper run. Japan have reached the Round of 16 four times — in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022 — but are still searching for their first World Cup quarter-final. Moriyasu believes this group is better placed than ever to make that breakthrough, with a core of experienced players, many based at European clubs.
Japan are in Group F with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia. At 66/1, they look less like outright winners and more like a side capable of knocking out a major nation if the bracket opens up.
Morocco — 66/1
Morocco are also 66/1, with 2% of Oddschecker winner bets over the last seven days.
The Atlas Lions are no longer a surprise package after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022. They are in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.
Their price reflects both upside and uncertainty. Morocco changed manager three months before the tournament, with Mohamed Ouahbi replacing Walid Regragui. Ouahbi earned the role after winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Morocco, but stepping into a senior World Cup so close to the tournament is still a major test.
The draw gives Morocco a realistic path to the knockouts if they can take points from Scotland and Haiti, while their meeting with Brazil will show whether they still have the structure and confidence that defined their 2022 run. At 66/1, Morocco are unlikely outright winners, but they are one of the few outsiders with proven World Cup knockout pedigree.
