World Cup 2026 Outright Winner Odds, Preview, and Picks

There are few more prestigious honors in world sport than winning the FIFA World Cup. This summer, the biggest festival on the soccer schedule will be staged in North America, with the 2026 World Cup hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

The world’s best players will be in action, with all vying for the honor to win the illustrious honor. You can find the odds and our picks to be the outright World Cup winner here.

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World Cup 2026: Outright Winner Odds

How Does The World Cup Format Work?

The biggest ever World Cup will feature 48 nations from six confederations. Each team has been drawn into one of 12 groups.

The top two nations from each group will qualify automatically, while the eight best third-placed teams will also progress through to the knockout round. Following that, teams will collide in one-legged knockout matches, with the winners progressing until the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

For more information and our picks for each group, you can find our dedicated picks below:

• Group A Picks
• Group B Picks
• Group C Picks
• Group D Picks
• Group E Picks
• Group F Picks
• Group G Picks
• Group H Picks
• Group I Picks
• Group J Picks
• Group K Picks
• Group L Picks

Who Are the Favorites to Win the 2026 World Cup?

Spain

The reigning European champions have been the long-time favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. They are a young and exciting team that have improved quickly in a short space of time, leading to a win over England in Berlin in 2024. The headline name is Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who registered 27 goal involvements in 28 La Liga appearances last season.

France

Didier Deschamps’ France have reached the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2018, but losing in 2022. Superstar attacking talent ensures that they are among the leading contenders, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele ensuring that they should dominate. Have performed consistently in recent World Cups, and that experience ensures that they should go far.

England

Thomas Tuchel was brought in by England due to being a proven winner, replacing Gareth Southgate, who had led the Three Lions to back-to-back EUROs finals. A stacked squad has been assembled, but any chance of success will revolve around the world’s best striker being at the top of his game. Harry Kane scored a remarkable 60 goals in all competitions last season. Kane is the leading contender to win the World Cup Golden Boot.

Brazil

Five-time winners of the World Cup, but have failed to win the title that they crave since 2002. Carlo Ancelotti is a manager with a proven record of winning major honors, but the South Americans look vulnerable against younger nations, especially in the middle of the park.

Argentina

The reigning world champions should be competitive in their defense of the title this summer. Lionel Messi finally landed the top prize four years ago, but the legendary star is now approaching the twilight years of his career. Challenging to see them retaining the title based on the age profile of their squad and the poor strike-rate of defending champions at the World Cup.

World Cup Picks: Who Will Win The World Cup?

A wide-open edition of the World Cup is set for this summer, but the standout nation could be Portugal. Stacked with world-class talent in key areas of the field, chance creation will be no issue. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Nuno Mendes, and Inacio have all enjoyed career-best domestic seasons for their clubs, while Cristiano Ronaldo will be motivated to win the one prize that has evaded him in his career.

We fully expect them to top Group K, before eliminating Switzerland, Argentina, and England, and overcoming Spain in the final.