adminIt’s the biggest sporting event on the planet, and every football fan has their prediction as to who will win in 2026. In this article, Kate Richardson, MightyTips’ strategic betting analyst, has researched the teams taking part, enabling us to provide you with an informed prediction as to how the various national teams will fare and who is most likely to win the tournament. If you like to spread your bets, why not opt for a ?
When will the finals start?
The opening games of the 2026 finals will be played on Thursday, June 11th, 2026. The first match, one of two Group A fixtures, will be played at the Estadio Azteca Mexico City, while the second will take place at Mexico’s Estadio Guadalajara.
Who will host the 2026 extravaganza?
Mexico previously hosted the competition on 2 occasions. The first was in 1970, when Brazil beat Italy 4-1, and the second was in 1986 when Argentina beat West Germany 3-2. Mexico is one of three countries hosting the tournament, the other two being Canada and the US. It’s Canada’s first time as co-hosts, but like Mexico, the US has hosted it before, albeit only once, in 1994, when Brazil beat Italy in a repeat of the 1970 final, this time winning by 3-2.
Following the incident at the CONMEBOL 2024 Copa America final, when kick-off was delayed by 80 minutes due to a crowd invasion, resulting in concerns about US stadium safety standards. However, they have been addressed.
The USMNT now has a new coach. Mauricio Pochettino. Can he become the first US coach to get the team to the quarter-finals since 2002? Maybe he can. His predecessor, “He has a higher profile than me.” However, he’ll need more than that if he is to succeed.
The favourite nations to win the competition in 2026?
Who will win the next World championship is anyone’s guess. It’s . In reality, the field is relatively small. Of the 48 nations taking part, in all likelihood, there are only 7 nations capable of lifting the trophy. They are:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- England
- France
- Germany
- Portugal
- Spain
That’s not to say that teams like Colombia don’t have a chance, but realistically speaking, it’s rather a long shot. So, let’s now take a look at each of the 7 favourites in turn.
Brazil – 5 times tournament winners – Will 2026 be Neymar’s swan song?
Brazil is always highly favoured by bookies and sportsbooks in every competition that comes around. Names like Pele, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo are still cited as some of the best footballers of all time. Neymar is the latest of the Brazilian greats and is almost certain to be in the national squad. Can Brazil win the trophy again? That is certainly the hope of “My dream now as a coach is to win the things I didn’t as a player.”
France – can Kulyian Mbappe lead France to victory?
The French national side is another team that has been a favourite in recent years. They, too, have had some outstanding players. Names like Michel Platini, Thierry Henry, and Zinedine Zidane trip off the tongue, and their latest star, Kylian Mbappe, is regarded by many as the best player in the world right now. He was instrumental in 2022 in Qatar for helping France to reach the final, where they lost 2-3 to Argentina. He’s sure to play a significant role for Les Bleus in 2026, too.
Spain – UEFA EURO 2024 champions
Most football fans will remember the Spanish side that dominated the World Cup tournament back in 2010. Players like Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas, Juan Mata, Sergio Ramos, and Fernando Torres were part of the team that played magnificent football no one else could match.
As those players aged and dropped out, Spain’s dominance of the world football scene declined. But now, managed by Luis De La Fuente and following an excellent campaign in UEFA Euro 2024, they’re back in the reckoning. With players like Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, and Pedro González López (more commonly known simply as Pedri), Spain is being tipped by many to go the distance.
England – Can they bounce back
Can England bounce back after their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024? We will have to wait and see, as the new manager, Thomas Tuchel, has yet to have his mettle tested.
With players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayu Saka, Phil Foden, and a host of other excellent players to choose from, there’s no lack of talent. But have they got the right mental attitude? It will be interesting to see how things develop under the new manager.
Argentina – Can they for the 4th time?
You can never write off Argentina. Along with Brazil, they are the cream of South American football and will always be a contender, with or without Lionel Messi. Manchester City’s Julian Álvarez is more than capable;e of leading the forward line. He played a vital role in Argentina’s triumph at the Copa América and could really make a name for himself in 2026.
Germany – Can they equal Brazil’s 5 tournament wins?
Germany, four-time winners, is another team that can’t be written off. They always rise to the occasion, often starting slowly but working their way into form. Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich and Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen have got the German midfield ticking over nicely. The team reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 and were unlucky to lose to eventual winners Spain, 1-2. They could go even further in 2026.
Portugal
If Portugal gets through to the group stages, they could prove difficult opponents for anyone. Cristiano Ronaldo would love to win the trophy. It would be a fitting crown to what has been a spectacular career.
Which teams have had the most success?
If history is anything to go by, Brazil has an excellent chance of winning the 2026 tournament. They’ve won the competition 5 times and been the runner-up on two occasions. They won in 1994, were runners-up four years later, and won the trophy again four years after that (for a record 5th time).
Their key players at the time included Cafu, Dunga, Bebeto, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Romario. In 2026, they will be hoping Neymar can step up one more time,
Nations’ Odds to win the 2026 tournament
5 times winners Brazil, who, with Neymar, are predicted to win a 6th title by many, have the lowest odds, but they are not alone. At the time of writing, this is what the betting odds look like for the 7 favourites:
- 6 to 1 – Brazil, to win the biggest prize in football
- 6 to 1 – France, co-favorites to win with Spain
- 6 to 1 – Spain, after winning Euro 2024, they are co-favorites to win with France
- 7 to 1 – England – can they finally win again since 1966?
- 10 to 1 – Argentina – winners in Qatar 2022
- 10 to 1 – Germany – looking for their 5th World Cup win
- 16 to 1 – Portugal – always a threat when the World Cup rolls around
How to watch the 2026 competition on TV
In the UK, you can watch all 2026 matches on the BBC and ITV. If you will be watching in other countries, please.
Closing thoughts on winner prediction the 2026 World Cup
Who knows how the dice will roll? At the time of writing, France and Brazil are the frontrunners alongside Spain to become champions of the world in 2026 being played out in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Kate Richardson’s analysing skills are well recognised, but who knows how the dice will finally roll?
With qualifying still ongoing, the final 48 teams are yet to be determined. One thing is for sure, and it is that betting on the tournament is already underway. You can bet on things like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland winning the Golden Boot, who the best young player will be, and which teams will get through to the Round of 16. It’s all to play (and bet) for.
Online Reporter