2026 World Cup odds and draw preview: England second most backed nation for victory with bet365

The 2026 World Cup draw takes place in Washington, DC on Friday evening, which will see the likes of England and Scotland learn their opponents for next summer’s tournament in Canada, the USA and Mexico.

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The eagerly anticipated draw will get underway at 5pm and will decide which of the 12 groups each of the 48 teams, of which we know 42, will be in, and who their opponents will be.

The four pots of 12 teams have been sorted according to each teams’ FIFA World Ranking, with all three co-hosts, put in Pot 1, and have already been arranged with Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B and the USA in Group D.

England, as the number four ranked team in the world, are in Pot 1, while Scotland, who have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, are in Pot 3.

The six play-off winners (four from Europe and two from the inter-continental play-offs) are to be placed in Pot 4, and their identities will become known following the March international break.

Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales are all in the European play-offs so all have a chance of reaching the World Cup, however, all five home nations won’t be able to qualify as Wales and Northern Ireland have been placed in the same Path, and only one team per path can qualify.

bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “We have taken many thousands of bets since mid-November and have noticed some eye-catching trends.

“The money for current favourites Spain is predictable, given their unbeaten run of 31 games. However, they were unable to match England’s achievement of not conceding a goal having let in two in their final game against Turkey.

“Likewise, England, who sailed through Group K with a perfect record of eight wins and scoring twenty-two goals. Thomas Tuchel is already showing that he’s not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the big names for the betterment of the team.

“Norway boast the greatest goalscorer on the planet right now and with the inevitable ‘dark horses’ tag heading their way, it’s Erling Haaland and Co who are attracting some tasty punts at big prices having signed off their eight wins with a Haaland brace in a 4-1 hammering of Italy.”

Scotland produced a memorable night at Hampden Park last month with Steve Clarke’s side qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after beating Denmark in a nail-biting victory.

“The biggest surprise might be the money for Scotland, for whom we’re seeing similar amounts to World Cup holders Argentina right now. The reason could be that Scott McTominay and Lionel Messi are currently on the same planet,” joked Freeth.

Trading Insight

% World Cup Outright Winner Bets Placed (Since Nov 16 2025)

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