It might feel like Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy only yesterday, but we are less than a year away from the 2026 edition. Messi will be back, of course, as will Cristiano Ronaldo, in what will perhaps be the last ever international tournament for the two greatest players of the 21st century.
There is still a lot of business to be handled in the interim, especially among the European teams looking to qualify. Some big names, notably Italy, find themselves in a precarious position. But several major nations, including Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, have already rubber-stamped their passports.
But which nations are tipped for glory? Looking at the sports betting odds, we do have some idea of the favourites. Let’s look at each in turn:
Spain
Spain is the current favourite for the 2026 World Cup and is tipped to continue the form that won the 2024 European Championships. You get the sense that this could be the tournament that allows Lamine Yamal to put down his marker as the best in the world, picking up the baton from Messi and Ronaldo.
Brazil
Although Brazil has been perennially among the market leaders for every World Cup, they have not been at the races in each tournament since 2002. This time, the Seleção has a ringer—not on the pitch but in the dugout—Carlo Ancelotti. The hope is that the Italian master can bring some cohesion to a talented squad.
France
Whisper it, but some believe the Ousmane Dembélé might be more important to French hopes than Kylian Mbappé. The PSG man is a possibility for the Ballon d’Or this year. Yet, having both players in the team is a blessing for coach Didier Deschamps, who can call upon talent like Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola. You would not be surprised to see France make a third World Cup Final in succession.
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England
No nation is more guilty of entering existential crises than England. The rabid tabloid media, which flips between wide-eyed optimism and hyperbolic despair at the drop of a hat, puts extra pressure on the 3 Lions. That said, this is one of the most stacked squads in world football. The only question is whether German head coach Thomas Tuchel can get the most out of it.
Argentina
Can Messi weave the magic one more time? It is asking a lot, and we would put the first four teams ahead of Argentina (as do the sportsbooks) in terms of likelihood. Yet, the current Argentina setup is characterized by pragmatism and resilience, which allows them to keep grinding out wins. Rule nothing out.
Germany
Probably the most consistent team in the upper echelons of global football over the last century, there is always a sense that the Germans find a way to be competitive. Nonetheless, there are many concerns over the current talent pool, not least in defence.
Portugal
The last dance for Cristiano? It seems he can go on forever, and he probably thinks that too. He leads a Portuguese team full of talent, but the question is whether the legendary Ronaldo helps or hinders the team’s fluidity. He will be 41 when the FIFA World Cup begins in North America next June.
