World Cup 2026 Predictions: Winner, Bracket & Final Pick

• July 1, 2026
• By Madhu123
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World Cup 2026 Predictions: Winner, Bracket & Final Pick

David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up. There are eight LaLiga winners from Barcelona – but, tellingly, none from Real Madrid. If you’re after a free-flowing side, stick to the Spains of this world.

However, the 2-1 defeat to Ecuador last time out was still a major disappointment, with Julian Nagelsmann’s side therefore set to enter this match off the back of a defeat. Our World Cup 2026 betting guide has all of the latest information on the match. Place a max £1 bet on “Over 0.5 Goals” in the Over/Under Goals market in England vs DR Congo World Cup match on Wednesday, 1st July. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets.

From the oldest coach in World Cup history to Lionel Messi’s and Kylian Mbappé’s chase for the all-time World Cup scoring record, history will likely be made this summer. Tactics and managerial decision-making can be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup game, and there are plenty of skippers in the tournament that have had success coaching around the globe. While the field is a bit more watered-down than in previous iterations of the tournament, it’ll still be a challenge for most teams looking to advance to the Round of 32. The Yahoo Sports soccer team has its picks for Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, biggest disappointments and more right here. The World Cup draw took place on Dec. 5 and the 48 teams were slotted into 12 groups of four. The teams were given a final roster deadline of June 1, so we already know who will be representing each country (click on the teams below to see each roster).

Every result below is cross-checked against the final standings, so the picks reflect what actually happened on the pitch, not just pre-tournament models. Choose group outcomes, pick the knockout winners and discover who triumphs. Earn points, climb the leaderboard, and create private leagues with friends.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Round Of 32: Ivory Coast vs Norway Predicted Lineups, Team News, Prediction And More

• Spain’s young core, led by Lamine Yamal and Pedri, looked devastating en route to Euro 2024.
• Every result below is cross-checked against the final standings, so the picks reflect what actually happened on the pitch, not just pre-tournament models.
• European opponents tend to fill the United States with dread, but Bosnia has faded down the stretch in all of their matches, even the win over Qatar.
• Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez.
• Compare World Cup betting odds now with our recommended betting sites and find the latest prices for teams to win the tournament.
• All the tournament favorites have come through the group stage largely unscathed.
• Here’s the breakdown on all of them, including what you need to know about each team.
• We don’t want to overpromise, and we have a small team, so expect one update per day, but you will often see intraday updates after important matches.
• Brazil showed their resilience once again by coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in the last 32.
• Belgium and Senegal square off in the World Cup last 32 in what promises to be an entertaining battle between two in-form sides.
• Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally).
• There is something quite romantic about one of the godfathers of management being appointed by the most famous footballing country to bring home the greatest prize in football for a record-extending sixth time.
• That is helpful to coach Luis de la Fuente given there are doubts over the fitness of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal for their initial games as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest. Spain enter as a major tournament favorite, led by superstar Lamine Yamal. However, the group won’t be straightforward against an experienced Uruguay side that only allowed 12 goals in 18 CONMEBOL qualification games. The top spot could come down to goal difference, with both teams likely taking advantage of Cape Verde.

Curaçao are the smallest nation by both area and population to ever get this far and following their progress is one of many fascinating subplots to look out for in a World Cup that is not to be missed. New Zealand, meanwhile, have a 47.8% hope of finding a way out of Group G. That’s another tight pool, as Belgium are favourites, but Egypt and Iran are also expected to compete. Before a ball has been kicked, Scotland’s likeliest result is seen as elimination in the round of 32.

France vs. Sweden: France -1.5

Nestor Lorenzo’s team look a little more battle hardened and should edge through. DR Congo clinched its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and with that, the nation was rewarded with England. Three Lions have had a tumultuous and injury-riddled group stage, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad should still come out on top. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32. Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.

France: 14.1%

• After winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is eyeing the chance to bounce back from what was, by his extremely high standards, a poor major tournament at Euro 2024, an event he ended without a goal.
• I personally love this matchup, with two of Africa’s strongest sides potentially meeting in the knockout round.
• None of the three co-hosts are favorites, but all three reached the knockouts and all three have a real story to tell.
• Congo DR and Uzbekistan are unlikely to factor heavily, making this a high‑stakes, two‑team race.
• The USMNT appointed Pochettino after of a humiliating group-stage exit as Copa América hosts last year, and things did not immediately improve as the Argentine lost five of his first 10 matches at the helm.
• Croatia rank just above co-hosts USA and place 15th overall in terms of potential winners with a 1.6% chance.
• What a story it would be if, at 41-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo matches his arch rival Lionel Messi by helping Portugal to a first-ever World Cup this summer.
• Here is each team’s probability of winning the World Cup, and advancing to each stage of the knockout round, using an old-school, FiveThirtyEight heatmap format.
• When the tournament begins, it will have been 20 years since the Azzurri played a knockout match at the World Cup – with their most recent such game being the 2006 final.
• Group D centers on the battle between Turkiye and the United States.
• However, the model does simulate extra time and penalties, which generally favor the stronger side, in projecting which team advances.

Colombia remain a threat thanks to Luis Diaz playing some of the best football of his career. Congo DR and Uzbekistan are unlikely to factor heavily, making this a high‑stakes, two‑team race. I’ll take Ivory Coast’s finishing to narrowly edge Ecuador for second, though I still expect Ecuador to advance as one of the best third‑place teams.

Here’s the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. It will be Mexico next in the Azteca if England beat DR Congo, while France are shorter than 2/1 to win the tournament with many UK bookmakers after crushing Sweden. Germany’s recent World Cup campaigns have fallen short since their 2014 triumph. While they showed promise at UEFA EURO 2024, France enter with superior depth and balance.

Established in the UK — serving a global audience across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Simulate or predict every match of the 48-team tournament — group stage through the final. England will be looking to secure top spot in Group L when they take on already-eliminated Panama in their final group-stage match. As David faces Goliath at MetLife Stadium, we predict a routine 3-0 away win. Panama are playing only for pride after suffering narrow defeats to both Ghana and Croatia.

Messi extends his World Cup legacy while Ronaldo faces defining moment

• While Algeria and Austria bring veteran leadership, Al‑Tamari’s pace and creativity could tilt the balance.
• The final is on July 19, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which holds about 82,500 fans.
• Then, in the United States, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle will be host cities.
• He is worth including in any anytime scorer selections at the best available price.
• England vs Portugal – Ronaldo may have to take comfort from beating his arch-nemesis in the quarter-finals.
• As Morocco have been producing excellent displays at the showpiece tournament, we predict a 1-0 away win.
• Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on topping Group E after surrendering a lead against Germany, but their overall performances have underlined why they are being tipped as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
• 16 teams qualify in total from the UEFA qualifiers, with 54 teams split into 12 groups.
• Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +1000 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962.

Argentina vs United States – The US crashed out at this juncture in the last tournament staged on their soil, and history looks set to repeat itself against the reigning champions. Brazil vs Senegal – There’s little doubt that Senegal possess the quality and confidence to push this tie into extra time. However, it probably won’t be enough to prevent the Selecao from edging through to the next round. Mexico vs Best 3rd place Group C/E/F/H/I – Since suffering a quarter-final elimination on home soil in 1986, Mexico have reached the round of 16 in seven of their eight World Cup appearances. Ivory Coast vs Senegal – Senegal’s impressive results in recent tournaments point towards an emphatic victory in this all-African knockout tie.

Understanding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and How It Works

With so much on the line in each and every game with players playing for pride and their nation, it means there are various different betting angles to target. On top of that, online bookmakers may offer special promotions and an extensive range of markets for every game at the World Cup Finals. Paraguay’s best-ever showing at a World Cup came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals, but the national side missed out on qualification in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

Despite being co‑hosts, Canada remain difficult to trust due to inconsistency in group play, and a lack of high-end talent to get them past better teams. Even at home in the 2022 World Cup, Qatar still couldn’t get a point and they’ll likely struggle to do so again. For full predictions on points, goals and assists, check out our 2026 World Cup Team Projections.

This change significantly alters both the group stage and the knockout bracket. On this page you can view World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions. Statistical data, team form, and recent match history are taken into account, and predictions are automatically generated by AI with an accuracy of over 71.9%. When the tournament begins, it will have been 20 years since the Azzurri played a knockout match at the World Cup – with their most recent such game being the 2006 final. Haaland struck 16 of those goals, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.

SI GAMES & QUIZZES

Then, in the United States, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle will be host cities. NFL stadiums have been retrofitted and rebranded to host the games due to FIFA rules, so you won’t see usual signage for places like AT&T Stadium; it will be labeled Dallas Stadium instead. Before the biggest FIFA tournament ever kicks off, some predictions are in order. The field has been supersized from 32 to 48 teams and the competition will begin in earnest on June 11 with Mexico hosting South Africa at Mexico City’s famed Estadio Azteca. The first U.S. game is the following day, as the Americans will host Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title.

Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with the pair battling to reach the final 16 of the tournament. Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting match, and we have found it difficult to pick a winner here.

Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final. At Euro 2024, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain produced one of the most eye-catching international tournament successes in recent memory. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal should not be discounted, while the three host nations will be desperate to make their mark. These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory. France, with their deeper, lavishly gifted squad, can gain revenge as the fresher of the two over this slog of a tournament.

With Messi drawing defensive attention and Julian Alvarez providing the running, Martinez is regularly afforded space inside the area and is one of the most reliable penalty-box finishers in this Argentina squad. He is worth including in any anytime scorer selections at the best available price. The World Cup 2026 knockout stage ruthlessly separates those who have managed a passage through a group from those who can compete at the elite level over 90 minutes.

Portugal vs. Argentina

Germany are overdue a strong result, and the supercomputer gives them a decent chance of achieving that, as they were finalists in 10.6% of sims. It is 24 years since Brazil last prevailed and only once before have they endured a drought of that length since first winning in 1958, which was between 1970 and 1994. Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez. Portugal are fifth favourites to triumph, as Cristiano Ronaldo seeks the one honour still missing from his trophy cabinet.

Both sides arrived at this summer’s tournament expecting to reach the later stages and the supercomputer does not predict any early obstacles. France will naturally sit near the top of most betting markets but they are easier to oppose than the odds suggest. Few nations in football history have possessed such an embarrassment of attacking riches. Yet there remains a nagging doubt over whether the France manager can truly maximise what he has at his disposal.

Canada make history with first World Cup knockout win

Norway will be the team nobody wishes to draw from Pot 3, having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with a perfect eight wins and 37 goals – the most of any team. Eleven of the tournament’s venues are in the USA, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side are assigned a 0.9% chance of going all the way. They will be placed in Group D, with two of their first-round games taking place in Los Angeles and the other in Seattle.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde Match Preview

We have covered the seven teams who are most likely to win the tournament, but there are also a few other potential winners. Of course, they were famously crowned world champions in South Africa – but that 2010 success also represents the only time they have reached the semi-finals from their last 14 participations. But Spain’s quality is highlighted by being the only team rated as more likely than not to reach the quarter-finals, which they did 52.1% of the time. The Sporting News is tracking the favourites to win and best betting offers including 50/1 for a goal to be scored in England vs. Congo and 40/1 for Harry Kane to have a shot in the match. This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo. France have stumbled before, most notably conceding three goals in the 2022 final.

Lewandowski scored his tally in 10 games, two more than Haaland. Canada are deemed the least likely of the host nations to go all the way, winning the tournament in just 0.4% of our simulations, though they are only a year removed from a historic tournament run. Their route to this World Cup was not completely smooth, either, as they were left needing victory over Slovakia in their final Group A game to avoid the play-offs. But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals.

• In terms of pressing, I have the feeling the Atlas Lions can really trouble the Dutch.
• Maradona in 1986 (30 shots, 19 open-play chances created, 53 fouls won).
• All eyes will be on Estadio BBVA when the Netherlands and Morocco face each other in a highly-anticipated World Cup showdown.
• Dive deeper into the tournament with our guides, analysis, and complete team profiles.
• This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo.
• Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández give them genuine quality even without Messi at his peak.
• Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), while Norway are flying having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with 37 goals – the most of any team.
• The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Finals, whilst a 16-team play-off competition then decides the final four spots.
• While their physicality and attacking threat stand out, their defense is arguably their greatest strength, led by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka.
• This season, 51% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 52% of games.
• These four all reached the knockouts and have the profile to go further.
• With Messi complemented by two high-profile strikers still in their prime, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez, Argentina should not be short of goals.

World Cup: To advance, the U.S. will have to end its five-year European curse

The World Cup 2026 bracket has handed them what looks on paper like their most straightforward possible knockout assignment, and they enter this match having conceded just once in three competitive fixtures at the tournament. “Sweden began their group stage campaign with a 5-1 win against Tunisia, but they then lost 5-1 to the Netherlands. A 1-1 draw with Japan means they conceded seven games in three group stage games,” Green said. This involves two teams from CONCACAF and one team from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals, and the four lowest-ranked nations will meet in bracket semi-finals, with the winners of the two bracket finals reaching the FIFA World Cup 26. The FIFA World Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated football events and commands enormous betting interest from players.

Brazil vs Japan Round of 32: Date, Time, TV Channel & How to Watch

In the United States, all 104 matches are in English on Fox (70) and FS1 (34), and all are streamed on Fox One. In total, there are 16 stadiums spanning across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that will be used during the month-long tournament. With 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, there’s more disparity across the four-team groups than we’re typically used to.

• Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.
• After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide.
• They are given a 47.8% chance of topping Group A, which also contains South Korea and Czechia.
• Only a penalty shootout denied them a bronze medal, as they lost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the third-place play-off.
• Last time out in 2022, Holland reached the quarter-finals, and a win over Morocco would see them secure a spot in the round of 16 against South Africa and Canada, opening up a route into the final eight of the tournament.
• Los Cafeteros come into the knockout stage unbeaten in their last group games, beating Uzbekistan and DR Congo while drawing 0-0 with Portugal, a match in which they produced 24 shots on goal.
• The latest Brazil vs. Japan odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Brazil at -135 (risk $135 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Japan at +410 and a draw at +260.
• Some links to betting partners or promotional offers on MyFootballFacts may result in a commission to help support our site.
• The White and Reds picked up four points from their three Group D matches to finish third, only behind second-placed Australia on goal difference.
• The FIFA World Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated football events and commands enormous betting interest from players.
• The World Cup draw took place on Dec. 5 and the 48 teams were slotted into 12 groups of four.

Now, Green has broken down the 2026 World Cup draw from all sides and released his picks, predictions and futures bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s 2026 World Cup picks. They also won last summer’s Nations League, getting the better of both Germany and Spain in the semi-finals and finals, with largely the same group of players. Anchored by a veteran Casemiro, who can cap off a trophy-laden career with the holy grail of international football.

But the likes of Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez have kicked on in the last two years, and any team which has Messi has a chance of going all the way – a creditable 8.7% chance, according to the supercomputer. Deschamps also lifted the trophy as a player when he was captain in 1998 and this will be Kylian Mbappé’s first World Cup as France skipper. If Spain are to triumph, it is likely Lamine Yamal will play a key role.

• The latest 2026 World Cup betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Mexico as -182 favorites to advance to the Round of 16, while Ecuador are +148 underdogs.
• Luis de la Fuente’s side are arguably the best-equipped team in the tournament because they possess two attributes that are often difficult to marry together.
• Within that sextet, three teams are seen as the biggest challengers to Spain and three others, while very much in the mix, might need a little more good fortune to go their way if they are to emerge triumphant.
• They are expected to challenge Switzerland for top spot in Group B.
• Check out the FIFA World Cup predictions with SoccerVista through this page and choose your next bet for the biggest international tournament in the sport.
• Ivory Coast has the physicality and midfield quality to frustrate Norway, but the Scandinavian side’s clinical finishing and attacking firepower could ultimately prove decisive.
• With Mbappe in his prime, their knockout ceiling is the highest of any contender.
• Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite.
• The trend continues a shift away from the traditional black-and-white football boot, following the colourful designs that first gained popularity at the 1998 World Cup.
• Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accused FIFA of failing to address logistical problems facing his team at the World Cup after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt.
• In total, there are 16 stadiums spanning across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that will be used during the month-long tournament.
• Colombia also deserve their lofty status in our projections, as they come in the tournament off the back of a run to the final of the 2024 Copa América, having outscored all other teams at that tournament with 12 goals.

As reigning champions with Messi in this sort of form and a full squad at Scaloni’s disposal, they remain a serious title contender. This Round of 32 tie should not test them, and a straightforward progression keeps them well-positioned in the World Cup 2026 bracket for the knockout rounds ahead. Cape Verde’s three World Cup draws are a creditable return against Spain and Uruguay in particular, and their disciplined defensive structure has been central to that. Their friendly results tell a more mixed story, with a heavy defeat to Bermuda sandwiched around a comfortable win over Serbia. The group-stage achievements are genuine, but their attacking output of two goals in three competitive matches underlines the challenge ahead.

As Germany are eager to make amends for a shocking 2-1 loss to Ecuador, we predict a 2-1 home win. Germany failed to impress in their final group match, but with qualification already secured, the result had little significance. Expect a thrilling atmosphere at Estadio Banorte (Azteca) in Mexico City when Mexico and Ecuador square off in the World Cup last 32. As both sides are likely to adopt a cautious approach, our prediction leans toward a 1-1 draw.

Group D: Turkey vs USA Headline Group with Knockout Stakes

Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside. Two teams who might not have expected to finish top of their groups. Colombia have not conceded in their past two matches and had the better of their goalless draw against Portugal.

Iran and New Zealand lack the elite finishing required to truly threaten Belgium at the top. For best bets and futures, check out our 2026 World Cup betting preview. Croatia vs Spain – Croatia’s remarkable tournament experience and resilience could make this a tightly contested encounter. However, Spain’s technical quality and squad depth should ultimately tip the balance in their favour. Brazil vs Japan – Under normal circumstances, this would be a no-brainer.

Portugal: 6.6%

They could give Germany a run for their money in Group E and are given a 43.4% chance of reaching the last 16. But Mexico are given only a 1.0% chance of victory, putting them behind fellow co-hosts United States, Japan and Ecuador, and level with Senegal. Mexico, who will play South Africa in the opening game at Estadio Azteca, also fare reasonably well in our sims.

• At age 40, Croatia’s Luka Modrić will be back for a fifth World Cup, assuming he recovers from cheekbone surgery in time.
• Portugal will likely have one last dance with a slightly older Cristiano Ronaldo.
• For example, Australia won the World Cup 28 times in our pre-tournament sims and Scotland prevailed on 22 occasions – so fans have permission to dream.
• Moreover, with international tournaments and matches being played so sparingly, being able to get over the line and win trophies can play a huge role in deciding the winners of major tournaments like the World Cup.
• Harry Kane shouldn’t be short of service and Tuchel will be buoyed by the fact his captain is coming off a sensational campaign with Bayern Munich that saw him win the European Golden Shoe award.
• The last time that happened, between Argentina and West Germany in 1990, the European nation gained its revenge.
• And there has been no downturn from De la Fuente’s side since.
• Spain often have a who’s who of title winners from across Europe, and this summer is no different.
• Goals Market – Over 3 Goals @ 6/5The totals line sits at 3, with over available at 6/5 and under at 4/5.
• They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else.
• Portugal, who arrive in the US, Canada and Mexico ranked fifth in the world and fourth favourites for the tournament, are in a favourable-looking Group K alongside the likes of Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
• Should the United States advance to the Round of 16, it’s going to take some of their best performances of the past decade, maybe ever.
• Meanwhile, European soccer insider Martin Green has also revealed picks for Ivory Coast vs. Norway and Sweden vs. France.

However, we predict a 3-0 away win as les Tricolores look unstoppable at the moment. Paraguay produced a disciplined display to eliminate Germany after a dramatic penalty shootout, proving once again how difficult they are to break down in knockout football. England and DR Congo will be vying for a spot in the World Cup last 16 when they lock horns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Given the huge gap in quality between the two teams, we predict a routine 2-0 home win. England secured top spot in Group L with victories over Panama and Croatia, while sharing the spoils with Ghana. Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions, four years on from Lionel Messi’s long-awaited crowning moment, and as the all-time great prepares for his last dance on this stage.

Knockout Stage Predictions

None of the three co-hosts world cup 2026 picks are favorites, but all three reached the knockouts and all three have a real story to tell. Lionel Messi made history in the group stage, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is the front-runner for the 2026 Golden Boot, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland the closest challengers. The top two in each advanced automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. No nation has retained the men’s World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and the expanded 48-team format adds an extra knockout round and more upset paths than any previous edition.

Who Will Win the World Cup 2026?

Belgium should control this group, but the remaining positions are harder to predict. Mohamed Salah will be motivated to prove he remains world class as Egypt’s leader, though after a season full of diminishing returns and muscle injuries, it’s a tall ask. If he carries them past Iran and New Zealand, advancement is realistic.

Our World Cup betting analysis draws on data from recent editions of the tournament to highlight consistent patterns and team performance metrics. The competition has averaged around 2.6 goals per match across its last five editions, with BTTS outcomes in roughly 48% of fixtures and clean sheets recorded in about 40%. These insights, combined with current team form, player fitness, and pre-tournament momentum, form the basis of our data-driven soccer betting tips and forecasts. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams. That also means there are more nations than ever to make soccer picks and World Cup futures bets on, ahead of the opening match taking place on Thursday, June 11.

Led by Carlo Ancelotti, who gets over the line in knockout games by placing importance on defensive shape but allowing individual quality to shine through. The Opta supercomputer gives DR Congo the edge, with the Leopards winning 48.9 percent of its 25,000 pre-match simulations. Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent of simulations, while the draw was given a 25.2 percent probability. A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K. Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of recording their first-ever World Cup victory, while the probability of them earning a maiden World Cup point stands at 12.6 percent. Six World Cup games, knockout places on the line, Cape Verde make history and Iran wait for a place in the Round of 32.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams in the field, meaning that 48 different nations will be bringing their traditions and culture to the tournament. A key piece of that culture is the teams’ nicknames — the names that the fans know them by. Here’s how to watch all 104 World Cup matches for free, and here’s a channel guide for the group stage games. For those who prefer Spanish-language broadcasts, 92 games will be on Telemundo, with the other 12 matches (all simultaneous group finales) on Universo. Estadio Azteca is the most well-known in Mexico, but sites in Monterrey and Guadalajara will also be used.

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will present the winning country with the trophy in East Rutherford, New Jersey when the competition concludes with the World Cup final on 19 July. Peter Fitzpatrick is an experienced sports journalist, having worked in the industry since August 2022 following a mid-pandemic career change. In the time since, he has worked for a wide range of well-known publications including the Evening Standard, FourFourTwo, Football365, GOAL and TNT Sports. In his current role as a freelance content producer for The Sporting News, he writes betting content mostly for football but also tennis, golf, rugby union and Formula 1. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in a breathtaking final that ended 3-3 after extra time before the Albiceleste won on penalties.

In a five-week knockout competition there is massive variance. Just one shock exit from a tournament favourite can cause other dominos to fall and the draw can suddenly open up for an unexpected team to challenge. Croatia rank just above co-hosts USA and place 15th overall in terms of potential winners with a 1.6% chance. The Opta supercomputer is reasonably positive about the chances of the three co-host nations, suggesting all of them are likely to produce solid – albeit not necessarily spectacular – tournaments.

With history on the line, I see France growing complacent, allowing Portugal to seize the moment with a historic 1–0 victory, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career with ultimate glory. England’s talent makes them a serious contender, but I’m backing Croatia to finish first based on their recent World Cup success under Luka Modric. England’s game control and defense will be hard to beat, but scoring on bigger stages has always been iffy. Then again, Harry Kane scored freely across Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at times playing in a deeper role than usual.

From the greatest individual rivalry of the 21st century to the greatest international soccer rivalry of all time. This will be tense, brutal and impossible to take your eyes off. Even if Brazil have improved as expected under Ancelotti, they are a rung below their great foes at present. Haaland’s father’s generation (Alfie actually didn’t play at the tournament in question) claimed a famous group-stage win over Brazil at France ’98. Norway have nothing to lose and can hurt Brazil, but they have a defence that Vinicius and company can exploit enough times to progress.

After watching his team fall agonisingly short on penalties against Argentina in Qatar, he has another chance to become only the second coach to win multiple World Cups (after Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938). Deschamps’ reign has comprised 175 games, so if they reach the first knockout round, he will have overseen 100 games more than France’s next-longest serving boss (Raymond Domenech, 79). Yamal created the most chances at the tournament, with 19, while only teammate Nico Williams (2.1) had more expected assists (xA) than his 2.0. Six of the teams appearing at the tournament are still to be decided, with four qualifying via the UEFA play-offs and another two via the inter-confederation playoffs.