World Cup winner odds: An early look at who the bookies are backing to lift the trophy in 2026

Nov 27, 2025 - 11:45

World Cup 2026 is just a few months away and excitement is starting to build across the globe.

The tournament is not just the pinnacle of football; it sits at the very top of the list of the biggest sporting events on the planet.

The upcoming edition will be an historic one: the first to feature 48 teams and the first to be co-hosted by three different countries in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Brazil, Italy and Germany are the most successful nations in World Cup history, but who will lift the trophy next summer? Here is our article on everything you need to know about the premier spectacle in soccer, including the latest World Cup winner odds.

Latest World Cup winner odds

Here are the odds from our recommended football bookies:

Spain – 9/2 with bet365
England – 6/1 with Paddy Power
France – 13/2 with Betfred
Brazil – 7/1 with BetVictor
Argentina – 8/1 with bet365
Germany – 12/1 with Betfred
Italy – 46/1 with SBK
Uruguay – 50/1 with bet365
Portugal – 10/1 with Paddy Power
Netherlands – 26/1 with SBK
Belgium – 60/1 with SBK
Norway – 25/1 with Betfred
Colombia – 50/1 with bet365
Croatia – 66/1 with BetVictor

The favourites to win World Cup 2026

The following five teams are currently considered the favourites to win World Cup 2026 by the bookies.

Spain – 9/2

According to the latest World Cup winner betting odds, Spain are the favourites to lift the trophy in 2026. La Roja produced a dazzling few weeks of football at Euro 2024, a tournament they won despite a tricky route to the final.

Their possession-based game is well suited to the heat and humidity that will be present next summer, although Rodri’s struggles to stay fit mean Spain could be without their most important player. Even so, Luis de la Fuente’s men are the team to beat.

Bet on Spain at 9/2 with bet365

England – 6/1

England have as many big-name players in their ranks as any other team, and these days they do not all play in the English Premier League. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) and Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) are thriving overseas, while Phil Foden (Manchester City) is another exceptional talent.

In all probability, Thomas Tuchel will stand down as manager after the tournament, but at the World Cup England will have one of the best coaches on the planet at their disposal. However, the Three Lions have never won a major competition overseas.

Bet on England at 6/1 with Paddy Power

France – 13/2

Another European team looking to add another star to their jerseys are France, the 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up. Didier Deschamps, who will vacate his position after the tournament, has a proven track record in knockout football.

France also benefit from arguably the deepest squad in the international game right now.

There is an embarrassment of riches available to Deschamps, particularly in forward areas, where Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and others are competing to play alongside Kylian Mbappe.

Bet on France at 13/2 with Betfred

Brazil – 7/1

Brazil, the only team to have qualified for the finals of this competition every time since 1930, are fourth in the market for World Cup 2026 winner odds.

They had their problems in qualifying, but the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti has raised optimism levels ahead of the big kick-off.

Brazilian fans will not be content with coming second, so there will be significant pressure on the Selecao in 2026. Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, but their last success came way back in 2002. Make no mistake, though: they have the players and the manager to go all the way.

Bet on Brazil at 7/1 with BetVictor

Argentina – 8/1

The statistics show that it is difficult to win back-to-back World Cups, with Brazil the only team to do so, in 1958 and 1962. Nevertheless, Argentina are definitely contenders to build on their success in Doha four years ago.

Lionel Messi is past his best these days, yet he is still a fantastic player on his day. Argentina have a useful blend of youth and experience within their ranks, and they romped their way to top spot in South America’s marathon qualification process.

Bet on Argentina at 8/1 with bet365

Who else could challenge?

The following three sides will also hope to challenge for the trophy at World Cup 2026.

Germany – 12/1

Germany are next on the list of World Cup outright winner odds. This is not a vintage German side, but Julian Nagelsmann is an astute manager, the sort who could easily get a job at one of Europe’s major clubs after the tournament has finished.

Germany may actually enjoy being outside the top five favourites. They only reached the quarter-finals of the last European Championship but were one of the most impressive performers at that event, albeit on home soil. Write Germany off at your peril.

Bet on Germany at 12/1 with Betfred

Italy – 46/1

With four world titles to their name, Italy are an iconic World Cup team. However, the Azzurri missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament, and their fans are worried that they could be absent from the 2026 competition too.

After finishing second to Norway in their qualification group, Gennaro Gattuso’s side must go through the European play-offs to earn a berth in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Provided they qualify, Italy are potential contenders – albeit not as one of the favourites.

Bet on Italy at 46/1 with SBK

Uruguay – 50/1

Champions in 1930 and 1950, Uruguay will hope to win a third World Cup title in 2026. Luis Suarez has departed the scene, with Darwin Nunez now the main man in attack. Marcelo Bielsa’s team can also lean on Premier League duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

One doubt is over whether Uruguay will be able to play Bielsa’s brand of hard-running, fast-paced football in the heat of North America in June and July, especially after a gruelling club campaign.

Bet on Uruguay at 50/1 with bet365

Who could win their first ever World Cup?

The following three teams will be attempting to win the World Cup for the first time ever.

Portugal – 10/1

Portugal have enjoyed their fair share of success on the continental stage of late, winning the European Championship and two Nations Leagues over the last decade or so. They are now aiming to become world champions for the first time ever.

The jury is still out on Roberto Martinez overall, but the Portugal boss is at least very experienced in the international arena. Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing for his country, but Bruno Fernandes could be their key player at World Cup 2026.

Bet on Portugal at 10/1 with Paddy Power

Netherlands – 26/1

Runners-up on three occasions, the Netherlands are still waiting to win their first World Cup. Semi-finalists at Euro 2024, the Dutch have improved under Ronald Koeman, and a centre-back partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven is one of the strongest around.

The Netherlands have talent elsewhere in the squad too, but the reliance on Memphis Depay up front could develop into a slight issue given the forward’s advancing years. Nevertheless, the Dutch are in decent shape as things stand.

Bet on Netherlands at 26/1 with SBK

Belgium – 60/1

Belgium’s golden generation was not quite able to get over the line at a World Cup or European Championship, but perhaps the reduced pressure will actually work in the Red Devils’s favour in the Americas. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are still going strong, while Jeremy Doku is one of the most thrilling forwards around at the moment.

Belgium are not among the outright favourites to claim success in 2026, but they have the potential to be difficult opponents for anyone. However, they were massive disappointments at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Bet on Belgium at 60/1 with SBK

Who could spring a surprise?

The following three sides are among the outsiders aiming to spring a surprise at World Cup 2026.

Norway – 25/1

Many pre-World Cup predictions are bound to mention Norway as possible dark horses. The Northern Europeans qualified in style, turning in excellent performance after excellent performance – including in victories over Italy both home and away.

Erling Haaland is the most prolific centre-forward in world football, but it would be wrong to call Norway a one-man team. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is another important player for Stale Solbakken’s side, who do not intend to merely make up the numbers next summer.

Bet on Norway at 25/1 with Betfred

Colombia – 50/1

Any analysis of potential first-time winners would be incomplete without mentioning Colombia, another football-mad country in South America. Los Cafeteros reached the final of the most recent edition of the Copa America, while they qualified for the World Cup with a degree of comfort.

James Rodriguez is still involved with the national team, while Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz, Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz and Galatasaray centre-back Davinson Sanchez provide further quality.

Bet on Colombia at 50/1 with bet365

Croatia – 66/1

Croatia seem to like being underdogs, but after their run to the final in 2018 and the semis in 2022, no one will underestimate Zlatko Dalic’s team this time around. Perennial overachievers, Croatia are more than capable of reaching the latter stages in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Luke Modric is still the heartbeat of this side at the age of 40, while Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric are still around too. Elsewhere, Josko Gvardiol has only improved since joining Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Bet on Croatia at 66/1 with BetVictor

What could cause the World Cup winner odds to change before the tournament?

As a quadrennial event, each World Cup stands separate from all others. Indeed, although Argentina are the defending champions, much has changed for them and others since their triumph in 2022.

International football is cyclical and national teams tend to be less settled than club sides. While there are useful takeaways from qualifying, much will depend on the form and fitness of players when the competition actually gets under way.

Injuries to key players

A footballer’s worst nightmare is to suffer an injury that rules him out of the World Cup. But with the calendar so packed in the modern game, wear and tear is inevitable – and injuries have always been part and parcel of professional sport.

Some teams have a decent amount of strength in depth, while others are reliant on a core group of players. To take one example, Norway without Erling Haaland would be an entirely different proposition, as would a Mohamed Salah-less Egypt.

A tough draw

The draw is another factor that must be taken into account. Every World Cup has a group of death, and although that is less of a concern for the big nations in a 48-team event, it is still something that can greatly influence how well any given side does.

With all due respect to the co-hosts, there is a big difference between being drawn against Canada from Pot One as opposed to Spain. Meanwhile, the teams that play group games in Dallas, Atlanta and New York City may gain an advantage as those are the venues that will host the semi-finals and final.

In-form players

The form of individual players can also affect outcomes, and it is something that you should bear in mind before placing any wagers on the tournament. If Kylian Mbappe arrives in North America on the back of a goal drought, France would be a lesser team. There is no transfer market in international football, so managers have to make do with what they have got.

Form could also influence who starts at the World Cup. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are all vying to be England’s No.10, and much will come down to how each one is playing towards the end of the season.

About the World Cup 2026 draw

The draw for World Cup 2026 will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on December 5 at 12pm local time (5pm BST).

The 48 teams (including the six unfilled spots that will be determined by the interconfederation play-offs in March) are split into four pots of 12 based on the FIFA World Rankings. The only exception relates to the three co-hosts, with the USA, Mexico and Canada assured of a place in Pot One regardless of the rankings.

The draw will divide the 48 competitors into 12 groups of four. Only one team per confederation is permitted in each group with the exception of UEFA, which cannot supply more than two sides per section. The top two in each group will advance to the knockout phase alongside the eight best third-place finishers.

The World Cup venues have already been linked to specific groups. For instance, Group A’s games will be played mostly in Mexico, while half of the Group B matches will take place in Canada. The bulk of the games throughout the tournament will be held in the USA.

The knockout bracket has been compiled ahead of time, allowing teams to plot their potential route to the final. For example, the winner of H is guaranteed to play the runner-up of Group J in the round of 32.

How to bet on World Cup 2026

Betting on World Cup 2026 could not be easier.

The first thing to do is to sign up for an account with your preferred bookmaker or betting app
Deposit some money to get started. Remember, most bookies offer sign-up offers such as free bets or price boosts, so shop around to find the best deals.
Customers can place bets on individual matches (Brazil to beat England) or on tournament outrights (Spain to win World Cup 2026), as well as on multiple in-game options.
There will be hundreds of different markets in total, from total goals to number of bookings. Simply add your selection to your bet slip and away you go!

Keeping up with the latest World Cup 2026 news

There will be wall-to-wall coverage of World Cup 2026 throughout the tournament. In the UK, you will be able to watch the action on the BBC and ITV, while talkSPORT will also cover matches on the radio. In the USA, the broadcasting rights are held by Fox Sports.

You will also be able to follow the latest news online, on social media, on TV and in newspapers. One thing is for sure: you will not have to look too hard to find information about World Cup 2026.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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