The World Cup returns next summer in what is sure to be a spectacular spectacle in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Qualification ramps up this month, with European teams beginning their campaigns towards the tournament. South America’s gruelling qualification phase is well underway, while Japan became the first team to secure their spot with a 2-0 win over Bahrain.
Over in Oceania, the confederation has been granted an automatic place for the first time and the winners of Monday’s match-up between New Zealand and minnows New Caledonia will book their World Cup spot.
As things heat up in qualification processes across the globe, we’ve checked in on the bookmakers’ favourites for success. Using the latest odds from Jeffbet we’ve ranked the five favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
Ranking the five favourites to win the 2026 World Cup
Argentina – 10/1
Argentina were crowned world champions for a third time in 2022, as a Lionel Messi-inspired side achieved success in Qatar. It was the crescendo of an unforgettable, if turbulent, international career for Messi, who finally got his hands on football’s biggest prize and collected the Golden Ball in the process.
Messi remains a part of the world champion’s set-up, but will turn 38 during next summer’s tournament. That said, La Albiceleste are hardly short of talent. Lautaro Martinez won the Golden Boot as Argentina defended their Copa America title last summer, to make it three consecutive major tournament wins.
Argentina currently lead South America’s qualification phase with a four-point advantage over nearest challengers Brazil.
On this day 2022 – Messi, Qatar, and the fulfilment of a football fairytale
England – 7/1
England are embarking on a new era, with Thomas Tuchel taking the reins from Gareth Southgate. The German is just the third overseas coach to lead the Three Lions and boasts Champions League success with Chelsea on his résumé.
England are rich in talent but have too often come up short on the big stage. Successive European Championship final defeats have highlighted their shortcomings, though the Three Lions have the talent pool to compete.
“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it” 👀
Thomas Tuchel reflects on England’s Euro2024 campaign 🏴#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | @England | @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/ozsZzIpzvy
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 20, 2025
The likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden will be another year closer to their peaks when next summer’s tournament rolls around.
Brazil – 6/1
Brazil are perennial contenders for the World Cup with no nation having lifted the famous trophy on more occasions (5).
However, South American giants have progressed past the quarter-finals just once since their last triumph in 2002. Qualification has also been a rollercoaster ride so far, with Brazil winning just six of their opening 13 games.
The Raphinha and Vinicius connection for Brazil is special 🔥
Two of the best players in the world balling out together for their country ✨ pic.twitter.com/8OyxeXQZCf
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 21, 2025
That said, any team with Ballon d’Or contenders Raphinha and Vinicius Junior, alongside arguably the world’s best goalkeeper in Alisson Becker, has a chance. Brazil were victorious the last time the United States hosted the tournament in 1994.
France – 6/1
France fell just short of successive World Cup wins last time out, as Les Bleus lost to Argentina on penalties in Qatar.
Didier Deschamps side will target a third consecutive World Cup final appearance in 2026, aiming to become just the third nations – after West Germany (1982, 1986 and 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998 and 2002) to reach three straight deciders.
France have formidable strength in depth from front to back, though it’s the attacking options that make the two-time winners so dangerous.
Kylian Mbappe has already matched Pele’s goal record at the World Cup and is just four from equalling Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. Elsewhere, Ousmane Dembele is finally fulfilling his potential at PSG, while Bradley Barcola, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani and Michael Olise are all top-class options in their own right.
Spain – 11/2
Spain are the current frontrunner to win the World Cup next summer.
La Roja waltzed to success at the European Championship last summer, becoming the first team to win the trophy with a perfect record of seven wins from seven games. That triumph followed Nations League success a year earlier, with Luis de la Fuenta possessing some of the game’s greatest young talent.
🇪🇸 Spain have now gone an 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 unbeaten:
17 games 🏟️
15 wins ✅
2 draws 🤝
0 losses ❌ pic.twitter.com/W5hfnqFlBm— LiveScore (@livescore) March 20, 2025
Lamine Yamal is the headline name and, incredibly, will still be just 18 when the World Cup gets underway. With Nico Williams (22), Pedri (22), and Pau Cubarsi (18) only likely to improve over the next 12 months, Spain will be tough to stop.
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