Who Are The Favourites For The World Cup 2026?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be the biggest World Cup tournament so far, with 48 teams featuring for the first time. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this expanded competition is drawing attention from around the globe, and fans are predicting which teams will do best and which country will be crowned champions.

Here at Racing TV, we are going to look at the usual heavyweight nations firmly at the front of the betting market. From defending champions to European and South American giants, there are several teams looking primed to take World Cup glory over the summer. Here are the bookmakers' picks for the 2026 World Cup.

Few nations can match the squad that France is bringing to the World Cup, as the 2022 finalists and 2018 winners continue to produce elite players at an astonishing rate. Currently tipped as the favourites at 5/1, it is not hard to see why, as Les Bleus bring one of the most stacked squads ever seen at a World Cup.

With superstars such as Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise in attack, the France squad stands out due to its depth. Boasting world-class goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders, this side brings physical strength, technical ability and experience to the tournament in North America, making them one of the firm favourites. If there is one concern, it could be the consistency of the squad. France has occasionally looked vulnerable against organised opposition, but when it comes to pure talent, they will be extremely hard to beat.

After several years in transition, Spain looks ready to challenge for the World Cup following their success at the 2024 European Championship. The blend of youth and tactical sophistication has made the Spanish side one of the tournament's most exciting and powerful teams. The emergence of Lamine Yamal has added another layer of unpredictability, as the youngster possesses incredible pace and dribbling ability. 

Spain has always been known for their technical brilliance, with Pedri and Gavi continuing this trend as the Barcelona duo link up in the heart of the midfield. With star players such as Rodri and Olmo available, this Spain squad is currently placed at 9/2, close favourites behind France. They might lack the physical dominance that France possesses, but the overall strength of the first eleven could prove vital in Spain's title charge.

As fans continue to hope for an end to the years of waiting, England looks for World Cup glory for the first time since 1966. The Three Lions have reached the latter stages of multiple recent tournaments, including the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and the finals of the Euros 2020 and 2024. 

England brings top-quality attackers in their line-up, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka being the standout options. With odds of 6/1, they are currently tipped as third favourites to win the World Cup. Can Thomas Tuchel be the man to end the many decades of hurt?

No nation carries a greater World Cup pedigree than the Brazil national team, as they are the only team to win the competition five times. Brazil are always expected to challenge, but their recent performances have fallen short of the standard associated with the famous yellow shirt; the talent remains exceptional.

Vinicius Junior could be the breakout star of the tournament, whilst world-class players like Gabriel bring balance to the team. With the World Cup being played in America, the conditions could suit them, meaning Brazil are one of the teams to watch out for, and bookmakers agree as they are placed at 8/1.

Reigning champions Argentina head into the 2026 World Cup with confidence, after beating 2022 favourites France in the final to end their 36-year wait for football's ultimate prize. With top players such as Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, Argentina, of course, has Lionel Messi, who managed to claim the World Cup in the last tournament.

Placed at 9/1, Argentina’s issue seems to stem from the squad depth and balance, as the team is not as fleshed out as others, such as France or Spain. However, with individual quality and some of the best players on Earth, Argentina are always within a shot.

With some of the top teams in the competition facing each other, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a fascinating spectacle. If you are looking to place bets on this competition, we have a World Cup free bets page, which offers different betting promotions from a variety of bookmakers.