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The World Cup is almost upon us and as soon as the year turns, it’ll come round before you know it. Talk of squads is already in full flow, while the draw is just a matter of weeks away. But who will win it?
That’s the question on everybody’s lips and there will be plenty of contenders that touch down in North and Central America desperate to get their hands on that iconic trophy.
The bookmakers are already clambering to get your business, while throughout qualifying sites like MightyTips have been offering their football tips today, following the tournament every step of the way. That’s seen punts on the likes of England, Portugal, Brazil and more, but will they be the ones to back come June?
Kate Richardson, a football betting expert, has taken a look at the state of play and the nations in the best position to make it all the way to the World Cup Final and to lift that trophy…
Spain
Euro 2024 winners Spain are currently favourites to lift the 2026 World Cup after a brilliant tournament two years ago. They have a young and dynamic team and are so far unbeaten in qualifying.
Winning the World Cup in 2010, they had a bit of a lull in tournament football but a new generation has come through and are proving the cream of the crop on a world stage, particularly the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who is truly destined for greatness.
He’ll be a key man for the Spaniards, while the likes of Pedri and Gavi will also provide that creative talent, all backed up by Rodri, a man instrumental in Spain’s success.
France
France have Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele in their ranks who has really come of age in the last few seasons at PSG and alongside Kylian Mbappe they have one of the most frightening attacks in the beautiful game. Next summer is going to be huge for Didier Deschamps’ men having finished runners-up four years ago in Qatar.
They have a solid squad, with plenty still left in the tank from a years perspective, while boss Deschamps is expected to move on after the tournament, so becoming a World Cup winner once more would be a great way to sign-off.
England
60 years will have passed since England’s men’s team last lifted a major trophy and under Gareth Southgate they had got so close, only for it to end in hurt. Thomas Tuchel has been given the reins to finally bring football “home” and most bookies have got them as third favourites to do so.
It’s not been the ideal start for the German boss, who’s only just finding the right balance with the Three Lions, but they’re a hugely talented squad and Barney Ronay, esteemed Guardian journalist believes now is as good a time as any. He said:
“For the first time England are led by someone who has both won the Champions League and managed in the domestic top tier. The players are good. They seem unencumbered by the task. It doesn’t really matter if Tuchel’s England haven’t faced any top teams yet. These players come up against elite opponents every week in a global league.”
And that’s incredibly true. In fact, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, they’re elite opponents in their own right. But can they go that extra step this time out?
Brazil
The Brazilians are always somewhere near the top of that list and in Carlo Ancelotti they have a serial winner at the helm. Joining in May of this year, he said:
“I’m delighted, the challenge is great. I’ve always had a special connection with this team. We’re going to work to make Brazil champions again.
“I’m honoured and proud to lead the best team in the world.”
So he’s certainly confident. The bookies have them at fourth favourites to claim a World Cup victory, for what will be the first time since 2002. It’ll be a tough ask, but the team is packed with experience and they could be a wild card punt for many.
Argentina
Will Lionel Messi sign-off with back-to-back World Cup wins. The defending champions are priced around 8/1 with various bookies and it’d certainly be fitting for the Inter Miami star.
If they win the tournament, they would be the first team since the 1960s to retain their World Cup champions status, but it’ll be certainly a tough ask. In Messi they do have that sprinkling of stardust, while the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez can all cause problems.
As was the case in 2022, defence will also be key with Emiliano Martinez in goal a real catalyst behind that. Going all the way seems unthinkable, but we’d perhaps have said that four years ago too.
Germany
The World Cup has been a bit of a disaster for Germany over the last decade, but they’re looking good in qualification and did finish fourth in the UEFA Nations League this year. There’s promise among Julian Nagelsmann’s men and they could be another good wildcard pick.
There’s a nice blend of experience and young talent within the squad, with Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade in fine form for Newcastle. However, to win the 2026 World Cup would be an unbelievable achievement, particularly with so many European nations ahead of them in the pecking order.
Portugal
Finally, it’s the one thing missing from the Cristiano Ronaldo trophy cabinet and while we thought the 2022 World Cup was probably going to be his last, 2026 would undoubtedly be his last World Cup.
Aged 40, the Al-Nassr star will be desperate to win, and they’ve eased through qualifying so will be full of confidence. He has some real quality around him too, and it could also be the last chance for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, who would love silverware too.
That experience could be key, while Pedro Neto, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos could provide that bit of quality to take them far.
So, who will win the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The World Cup is up for grabs, but it’s difficult to look past Spain, France or England for this one. It would be remarkable should Argentina take the gong, while it might just be beyond Brazil too, although Ancelotti could bring enough organisation to take them far.
Spain and England are our picks, a repeat of the Euro 2024 final perhaps even. But there’s plenty of time between now and June for injuries, great form and other trials and tribulations to really have an impact on just how far a nation will go.
The article was provided by Kate Richardson
Online Reporter