Which teams are favourites for the World Cup?

Discover which teams are expected to challenge for the World Cup this summer. 


The 2026 World Cup is edging closer and closer. With this year's tournament set to be the biggest due to its expanded format, there's more interest in the showpiece event. Hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico, it promises to be another eye-catching competition, but which teams are realistically in with a chance of lifting the iconic trophy?
Spain

According to World Cup betting online, Spain are seen as the most likely winners of the World Cup this summer. They come into this competition after winning the 2024 Euros, where they defeated England in the final. As a nation, Spain have undergone a bit of a rebuild from their previous era of success, and with superstars like Lamine Yamal in their ranks, they’re ready to dominate internationally once again.

England

England are an intriguing team. They've made the finals of the last two European Championships, losing on both occasions. They also made the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Under former manager Gareth Southgate, the progress from 2018 to 2024 was without question, but they just couldn’t get over the line. Now, with Thomas Tuchel in the dugout, there’s a belief he can find that bit extra, and he certainly has the players to do so.

France

France complete what you could describe as the top three teams heading to the World Cup as per the general betting consensus. If the last World Cup is anything to go by, where Les Bleus lost in the final on penalties to Argentina in Qatar, they’ve got the credentials to win it this year, and also the motivation. The quality of their squad is without doubt, with world-class talent running through the team. If they head to North America with that extra motivation after 2022, they could be very difficult to stop.

Brazil

Brazil are one of the most successful international teams of all time. They’ve been there and done it on countless occasions, but that’s not been the case recently, which needs to change. That has been recognised by the powers that be, and they moved to hire legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti as a result. Like many other nations, the quality is there; they may just have lacked a top manager to guide them.

Argentina

Argentina come into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as defending champions, and that counts for a lot. They went all the way in Qatar, defeating France in a penalty shootout, and they will take that confidence into this tournament. It’s at this World Cup that Lionel Messi will call time on his international football career, and while he may be in his late thirties, he still has the ability to change games at the drop of a hat on the biggest stages.

Portugal

Another football icon who will bow out at the 2026 World Cup is #cr7">Cristiano Ronaldo. He will be part of the Portugal squad and dreams of success in what will be his final opportunity to help his nation achieve it. Portugal have a strong squad, and should do well in North America, but they’re currently seen as having an outside chance of winning the tournament.

Conclusion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest World Cup yet. However, even with more teams competing than ever before, it’s still the same nations expected to be serious contenders this summer. But who knows how the expanded format and the heat will affect teams.