Who will win World Cup in 2026? Odds, betting favorites, expert picks, futures and more for FIFA tournament

Securing a FIFA World Cup title can not only launch a player's career into another stratosphere, but also paints the entire winning team as legends of the game.

Ahead of World Cup 2026, there are a number of teams who are eyeing the chance to put their hands on the coveted trophy.

Lionel Messi will hope to lead Argentina to a rare consecutive title, but there are many other challengers hoping to dethrone the legendary superstar and place their own names in the annals of history.

The Sporting News brings you an overview of who has the best odds to win the upcoming competition, and who may be a sneaky play to secure the title.

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World Cup 2026 winner odds

The below odds are from just after the conclusion of the final UEFA World Cup playoff matches on March 31, 2026.

MORE: An update on the FIFA rankings after the March international break

Odds via DraftKings in USA, updated as of June 4, 2026.

Betting favorites to win World Cup 2026

While everyone has the same opportunity to secure the World Cup title, the reality is that favorites are overwhelmingly likely to walk away with the global championship. Across nearly a century of World Cup football, only eight nations have ever lifted the trophy.

MORE: Full 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule, groups, fixtures, venues, kickoff times, and more

Argentina

Incredibly, defending champions Argentina, ranked second in the world, are not the top favorites to repeat as World Cup winners.

Lionel Messi set records in MLS this season, but is 38 years old, and no team has repeat as World Cup winners since Brazil over 20 years ago.

The Albiceleste have proven they can win games without Messi on the field, which is good for their future, but as long as the GOAT is around, he will hope to lead them to greatness. They should be firmly in the mix for a fourth title in their country's history.

MORE: A deeper look at Argentina's World Cup squad

Spain

Ranked No. 1 in the world, Spain are the betting favorites to win the World Cup as the draw neared in early December. They are led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who at 18 years old has already won a European championship.

Since their first and only World Cup title in 2010, Spain have flopped at the FIFA tournament, eliminated in the group stage in 2014 and exiting in the Round of 16 the following two times. They will be expected to make at least the semifinals in 2026, and will be firm title contenders, as their odds suggest.

MORE: A deeper look at Spain's World Cup squad

France

Having reached the World Cup final in each of the last two tournaments, including one title, France will be expected to make another deep run. Only two teams have ever reached three straight World Cup finals: West Germany from 1982-1990, and Brazil from 1994-2002.

Led by Real Madrid sensation Kylian Mbappe, France feature a star-studded roster that includes reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele (if healthy) and Golden Boy winner Desire Doue.

MORE: A deeper look at France's World Cup squad

England

With Thomas Tuchel now at the helm to replace the departed Gareth Southgate, England will hope to get over the hump at the World Cup and return the Three Lions to the top of global football. Craving their first World Cup title since 1966 on home soil, England fans lust for firepower to back up their claim as the home of football.

England hoped their semifinal appearance in 2018 would provide a springboard towards a future run to the finals, but they ran into a buzzsaw in 2022, downed by eventual finalists France in the quarterfinals. Anything short of a semifinal place in 2026 would be a disappointment, and in reality, Tuchel was hired to win a title.

MORE: A deeper look at England's World Cup squad

Brazil

Interestingly, Brazil still carry heavy weight in the betting market thanks to their name-recognition, even as their overall qualifying slate painted them as a one-time great in decline.

The Selecao finished a disappointing fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, barely staying afloat in the expanded qualification setup. Had this been a 32-team World Cup they were gunning for, they would have been embarrassingly left to the intercontinental playoff.

After chasing Carlo Ancelotti for years, they finally secured the coaching services of the legendary Italian. It's still uncertain whether he will be convinced to include Neymar as part of the Brazil squad come June. Whether they are true title contenders remains to be seen, but many are skeptical of their credentials.

MORE: A deeper look at Brazil's World Cup squad

World Cup 2026 odds to win group, qualify for knockouts

The following odds for each team to win their group or qualify for the knockout stage will be updated once the draw is complete and the groups are set.

Odds via DraftKings in USA, updated as of June 4, 2026.

Past World Cup winners playing in 2026 tournament

Of the 48 teams involved, seven have hoisted the World Cup before. Unsurprisingly, all seven of those teams make up much of the list of top favorites.

The only team to have previously won a World Cup who have not yet qualified for this year's field is Italy, who missed out in 2018 and 2022, and are under threat of missing out yet again. The Azzurri have won the World Cup on four previous occasions (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006).

MORE: Most World Cups won by players and managers