The Stage Is Set
The three-and-a-half-year wait is almost over. In just two days, Mexico and South Africa will kick off the 2026 World Cup, and for the next month-plus, the football world will be glued to screens across North America. While predictions are a notoriously unreliable business in tournament football, the oddsmakers have had their say — and there are some fascinating storylines at every level of the betting board.
The Favorites: France Lead the Pack
France enter the tournament as the betting favorites at +475, and it is not difficult to see why. Didier Deschamps’ side won it all in 2018, took Argentina to penalties in an unforgettable 2022 final, and arrive in 2026 with a squad that blends elite experience with frightening young talent. Michael Olise’s stunning hat-trick in the final warm-up against Northern Ireland only reinforced what many already believe — this French attack, featuring Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele alongside Olise, might be the most dangerous in the tournament.
Brazil (+600) are not far behind. The Selecao always carry the weight of expectation, and this generation is hungry to deliver a sixth star. With Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and a deep squad, they have the tools to go all the way.
England: Can Tuchel End 60 Years of Waiting?
Thomas Tuchel’s England (+700) are the third favorites, carrying the hopes of a nation that has not seen a major trophy since 1966. The German manager has instilled a pragmatic but effective style, and this England squad is arguably the most talented in a generation. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane form a formidable spine, and the Three Lions have the depth to navigate a long tournament. The question is whether they can handle the psychological pressure when it matters most.
Argentina: Defending Champions Carrying Messi’s Legacy
Defending champions Argentina (+900) are the first South American team on the board. Lionel Messi, now 39, is playing in what is almost certainly his final World Cup. The tournament in Qatar was the crowning moment of his extraordinary career, and the Albiceleste will be desperate to give their captain a fitting farewell. But the weight of defending the crown is heavy — no South American team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
The Dark Horses: Germany, Spain, and Portugal
Germany (+1400) showed flashes of brilliance in their warm-up win over the USMNT, though there were moments where Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked the better team. Julian Nagelsmann has rebuilt the squad after successive early exits, and Die Mannschaft cannot be discounted.
Spain (+1600) remain a possession juggernaut under Luis de la Fuente, while Portugal (+1800) boast perhaps the deepest squad in the tournament, even as Cristiano Ronaldo enters what is surely his last World Cup at age 41. The supporting cast — Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, and Ruben Dias — gives Portugal genuine credentials.
The Intriguing Outsiders
Norway (+3500) are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and they are led by the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, Erling Haaland. Martin Odegaard pulls the strings in midfield, making Norway a dangerous wildcard who nobody will want to face in the knockout rounds.
Morocco (+4000) captivated the world in 2022 by reaching the semifinals, and they have only grown stronger since. The Atlas Lions have genuine belief that they can repeat — or even improve upon — their historic run.
Source: AS Soccer — original reporting