With a little bit less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, we may as well start talking about who might win the prestigious trophy. Who are we kidding, we’ve been on it since the last World Cup ended. The biggest tournament in the universe of football is talked about at all times and not only when the competition is close. We’ve had plenty of action and excitement during the last WC, despite it being a tad bit weird due to scheduling, but there will be none of that in one year’s time.
The 2026 World Cup will have three hosts, and the games will be played all over North America. The three hosts are Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America. The USA will host most of the tournament and especially in latter stages. To the disappointment of the host nations, none of their national teams will make it onto our list of favourites. To better determine the early favourites we’re going to use Stake odds as they are already providing them on their website. Let’s start!
Spain
Spain is one of the most decorated national teams in the world. The majority of their success came in the 2010s, and after their golden generation disappeared from the football scene due to old age, they haven’t been waiting too long to get their hands on more silverware. The Red Fury is the reigning European champion, but that’s not what makes them the favourites in our book. It is the quality of their team. It all starts on the bench with Luis de la Fuente. While initially doubted, the Spaniard has proven that he can make his boys play the most beautiful, fluid, and attacking type of football while retaining the defensive strength. Their most recent EURO win is proof of this, but in addition to that they’ve continued their domination through WC Qualifiers, the UEFA Nations League and friendlies.
The best part about the Spanish team is that they’re an up and coming team that already knows how to win. They’re the only team that in 2026 will not be older, but more experienced, wiser, and ready to compete on the highest level once again. Lamine Yamal is a story of his own, and the Barcelona youngster is already one of the best players in the world despite barely turning 18. Yet, he is only the tip of the Spanish iceberg. Nico Williams, Pedri, Zubimendi, Rodri, Huijsen, Porro, Simon, Oyarzabal, Cucurella, Merino, Cubarsi, Ruiz, Baena, Pino, Samu, and Gavi among many others are either players in their prime or with their best years ahead of them while already playing at a world class level. If everything goes according to the Spanish plan, and injuries to key players are avoided, the Spaniards are clear cut favorites to win the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, USA, and Canada. If you believe they can win the WC once again, Soccer Tournament Betting on Stake pays their win with 5.75 odds.
France
In addition to Spain, in the last decade, one of the most dominant national teams in the world are without the doubt the Gallic Rosters. The French national team has secured one World Cup and barely lost in another Final during the 2022 in Qatar. For years now the French football factory has been producing some of the world’s best talents. Their team has continuity with Didier Decamps at the helm, and they’ve been playing a winning kind of football, rarely disappointing their fans. When you play elimination tournaments such as EUROs and World Cups, the difference between winning and losing are tiny margins. A few times in the last few years Les Tricolores have been on the losing side.
Their team consisting of the stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Ryan Cherki, Marcus Thiram, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo and Lucas Hernandez, Randall Kolo Muani, Hugo Ekitike, Malo Gusto, Jules Kounde, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembele among plenty of others will be looking to make a few wrongs right in 2026. Just by looking at the name recognition of the French squad you know that they have the necessary quality to go all the way once again. Whenever the Les Bleus had a golden generation they’ve managed to get another trophy to their trophy cabinet. For all of you putting all of your apples into the French basket, the odds of them winning the 2026 WC are 7.5.
Brazil
Brazil is a legendary football nation. Yet, their fans are slowly forgetting what it feels to win the biggest trophy of them all, considering it’s been more than two decades since their last WC triumph. In the years between we can’t really claim that they’ve been even remotely close, not even when hosting the tournament. 2026 will be their opportunity to get back to the main stage. Back in the day they usually relied on one or a few of their stars to lead the team. Next year, all eyes will be set on their bench. Since Carlo Ancelotti took over, he’s been the main star in Brazil.
The legendary Italian coach is having his first experience with coaching a national team, and with high expectations the Brazilian fans have, this might be his only, at least as far as Brazilian national team goes. While Don Carlo is a big name in the game, the Brazilian squad is also not one to be underestimated. Yes, there are no more stars in their team such as Ronaldo R9, Romario, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Kaka, or many of the Brazilian legends of old such as Pele and Zico. Yet, the likes of Joao Pedro, Estevao, Martinelli, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Gabriel, and Marquinhos should not be underestimated. Under the right circumstances Brazil could take home another WC crown, and with their odds set at 7.5 it might be wise to cover them too.
England
We are slowly but safely entering the dark horse territory. We’re not still there, as Three Lions have genuine chances of going all the way. They have a new coach in Thomas Tuchel. The German coach is a football genius with trophies to show for his smarts. Yet, his time with England hasn’t kicked off on a high note. His team lacks chemistry, and that much was evident during their poor appearance in a 2:0 win over Andorra. The time works by Tuchel and the Three Lions, as with one year to go till the WC, he and his boys can get on the same page.
If and when that happens, England will be a force to be reckoned with. Once could argue that their team is strong across the entire field, staring from the back all the way up to front. All that is left is that they show it against every opponent they face. Just take a look at the team they’ve brought out against Andorra. Kane, Rashford, Madueke, Eze, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Anderson, Burn, Guehi, Pickford, and James are a fine team, and we’re not talking about their strongest eleven. The likes of Gordon, Rogers, Livramento, Konsa, and Gibbs-White entered the field from the bench.
Add to the mix the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Jude Bellingham, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Hall, Connor Gallagher, James Madison, Dominick Solanke, and many others who are competing to be a part of the English World Cup squad, and you get the idea of just how good is this generation of English footballers. Their odds are set at 8.00 and that’s a bet worth taking.
Argentina
Finally, we are getting to the defending World Champions. While many see Argentineans as one of the top favorites to win this trophy again, we just don’t see it happening. The odds that are set at 9.00 speak a similar story. Argentina had more than just skill to win it all in 2022, they were extremely lucky too. While their win is a well deserved one, you can’t argue that there were a few games that could go either way starting from their duel with Netherlands, and France in the final.
Don’t get us wrong. Argentina is still playing the best football in South America. They’ve topped the SA qualifications winning 38 points with one round to go. Lionel Messi is playing like he’s young again, and if he keeps up his good form, we might see his best version in 2026 once again. But, the rest of the Argentinean national team is not what they were four years ago. It was a generation of experienced players who only had one goal, and that was to give Lionel Messi a World Cup trophy cementing his name as one of the best to ever do it. We can’t be sure whether the new generation of Los Gauchos will be able and willing to do the same.
The likes of Paredes, De Paul, Otamendi, and Martinez are still with the team, but age has been catching up to them, unlike Messi. Alvarez, Almada, Medina, Romero, Enzo Fernandez, Gonzalez, Simeone, Lautaro, Correa, and Mastantuono could be enough to provide new blood, but they just don’t have the quality some of the teams on this list possess. Yet, if you feel Messi can do another carry job, the odds on Argentina winning are set at 9.00, so you may well give it a try.
Portugal
It is a shame that Portugal and Argentina never developed a real on field rivalry like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have. CR7 has an EURO win to his name, while Leo has a couple of Copa America’s and a World Cup, leaving Cristiano desiring to win one for himself. He has fallen short on more than one occasion, and without a doubt this tournament is his last chance to get his hands on the World Cup. Roberto Martinez’s side is entering the tournament as one of the favourites without a doubt, but honestly as an outside one.
The odds of 12.00 reflect this sentiment, as unlike some of the teams above, Portugal neither has an all around quality of the team, while they also lack a true superstar considering that CR7, despite his legendary status, is more than a few years removed from his prime. Yes, he is still making rounds in Saudi Arabia, but that’s not the level Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, or Vini Jr., play. What’s clear is that CR7 will provide leadership and limitless motivation to his teammates as he has done so many times in the past.
We give Portugal an outside chance of winning the 20206 World Cup, and that could only be the case if their leading players hit the right form at the right time. Most is expected from the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leaao, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Diogo Costa, and Nuno Tavares.
There’s depth to Portugal’s roster, there’s no doubt about it, yet, in years prior, and right now, they’re not playing with a promising amount of chemistry that could propel them to the top despite winning the UEFA Nations League only a few months ago with a win against Spain. Maybe, if Ronaldo conjures enough strength to have a last dance as Lionel Messi did in Qatar, Portugal could go all the way and win their first World Cup in the nation’s history.
There you have it, a detailed list of teams that we see as early favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. The EURO winners Spain are given the best chances to once again collect both of the biggest trophies on the international scene as they have already managed during their unprecedented run from 2008 to 2012. Teams such as France, Brazil, England, Argentina, and Portugal will be looking to stand on their way, and bring The Goddess back to their homes instead. While there is plenty time still to go until the 2026 WC, the excitement is already piling up, and we’re sure the pressure on players to perform and to be called up grows as we speak. Only the best will travel to North America, and we can’t wait to see them clash against each other.