THE FIFA World Cup is the ultimate prize in professional football, and with the competition in 2026 expanding from 32 nations to 48, this next World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the biggest and best ever held.
The draw has now taken place, and we know 42 of the 48 teams that will compete in North America. Argentina are the defending world champions, having defeated France on penalties in Qatar in 2022. However, they are far from the outright favourites to win again. In the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, it’s the European champions Spain who lead the betting at 9/2, followed closely by England at 11/2, with Brazil, France, and Argentina all drifting slightly to 8/1.
Latest 2026 World Cup odds
- Spain – 9/2
- England – 11/2
- Brazil – 8/1
- France – 8/1
- Argentina – 8/1
- Portugal – 11/1
- Germany – 12/1
- Netherlands – 20/1
- Belgium – 33/1
- Italy – 33/1 (Currently in Playoffs)
*Odds provided by bet365 are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
🏆 2026 World Cup odds – frontrunners for the trophy
Argentina’s win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar ended a period of European domination that saw the continent win four consecutive tournaments from 2006 to 2018.
With the groups now confirmed, the path to the trophy is clearer. Spain remain the 9/2 favourites, but England have shortened significantly to become the clear second favourites. Below, we take a closer look at the current frontrunners and their confirmed groups:
Spain – European champions (9/2)
The strength of nations such as Spain is one reason Argentina are looking slightly underestimated. The Spanish have a plethora of technically sound youngsters, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams leading the way.
Spain’s Group (Group H):
- 🇺🇾 Uruguay
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
- 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde
The clash with Uruguay promises to be one of the highlights of the group stage, but Spain will be heavy favourites to top the pile.
➡️ Bet on Spain to win the 2026 World Cup at 9/2 with bet365
England – looking to end 60 years of hurt (11/2)
We hear it every time a World Cup comes around – can England end the years of hurt? With Thomas Tuchel now at the helm, the belief is that the Three Lions finally have the tactical edge to match their squad depth, and the bookmakers agree.
England’s Group (Group L):
- 🇭🇷 Croatia
- 🇬🇭 Ghana
- 🇵🇦 Panama
The meeting with Croatia offers a chance for revenge for the 2018 semi-final defeat. England qualified comfortably and have moved into second-favourite status.
➡️ Back football coming home with England’s 11/2 odds at bet365
Brazil – five-time champions (8/1)
Following a sensational move in the summer of 2025, Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid to become the new head coach of Brazil. Tradition dictates that Brazil leads the way in football, but they haven’t reached a final since 2002.
Brazil’s Group (Group C):
- 🇲🇦 Morocco
- 🏴 Scotland
- 🇭🇹 Haiti
It is a tricky group; Morocco were semi-finalists in 2022, and Scotland impressed in qualifying. The bookies have pushed their odds out slightly to 8/1.
➡️ Tip Brazil to meet the challenge at 8/1 with bet365
France – 2018 champions (8/1)
France is the powerhouse of Europe. Back-to-back appearances in the 2018 and 2022 finals prove their consistency. However, they have been handed a challenging draw.
France’s Group (Group I):
- 🇸🇳 Senegal
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- 🌍 Playoff Winner A (TBC)
The match against Norway will be particularly intriguing, pitting Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland. Didier Deschamps, in his final tournament, will rely on Mbappé to lead Les Bleus deep into the tournament.
➡️ Back France to win the 2026 World Cup at 8/1 with bet365
Argentina – defending champions (8/1)
Argentina were regarded as short-priced outsiders when they won the 2022 World Cup. The story looks similar in 2026. Of the five top-tier teams, the defending champions are currently sitting at 8/1.
Argentina’s Group (Group J):
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇩🇿 Algeria
- 🇯🇴 Jordan
It is a favourable draw for Lionel Scaloni’s men, who should navigate the group comfortably. While Messi is four years older and still not 100% confirmed as part of the team, the likes of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez are now in their prime.
➡️ Back Argentina to lift the trophy at 8/1 with bet365
🌍 Other Contenders: Groups to Watch
Outside the top five, several other European giants have learned their fate.
- Portugal (11/1): Cristiano Ronaldo’s nation has been drawn in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and a Playoff Winner.
- Germany (12/1): Die Mannschaft will look to bounce back in Group E, facing Ecuador, Côte d’Ivoire, and debutants Curaçao.
- Netherlands (20/1): The Dutch face a technical test in Group F, drawn against Japan, Egypt, and Peru.
- Belgium (33/1): The Red Devils are in Group G and will play Poland, Mali, and Jamaica.
⚽ World Cup 2026 odds – ones to watch
The draw has thrown up some fascinating storylines. Can Croatia do it again? Will an African nation go all the way?
Croatia (Group L)
Despite an ageing squad, Croatia continue to defy the odds. They have been drawn in Group L with England, Ghana, and Panama. While not the force they were in 2018, their tournament know-how makes their long odds look generous for each-way backers.
Morocco (Group C)
Morocco broke new ground in 2022 as the first African semi-finalists. They have qualified comfortably and landed in Group C with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland. A result against Brazil could set them up for another deep run.
Norway (Group I)
Norway have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998. With Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, they are a dangerous prospect. They face a tough test in Group I against France and Senegal, but their attack can trouble anyone. They are priced as a dangerous “dark horse.”
Italy (Playoffs)
It is worth noting that Italy have not yet qualified. The Azzurri finished second in their group behind Norway and must navigate the playoffs in March 2026. If they make it, they will join Group B with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. Their odds have drifted to 33/1.
🏟️ World Cup 2026 odds – the host nations
As co-hosts, USA, Canada, and Mexico automatically qualified.
- Mexico (Group A): Drawn with South Africa, South Korea, and a Playoff Winner. El Tri will fancy their chances of topping the group.
- Canada (Group B): The Canadians face Switzerland, Qatar, and a European Playoff Winner (potentially Italy).
- USA (Group D): The USMNT faces Paraguay, Australia, and a Playoff Winner. Under Mauricio Pochettino, they remain the shortest priced of the three hosts to win the tournament.
World Cup 2026 odds – tournament debutants
The expanded 48-team format has opened the door for new nations. Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will all make their World Cup debuts in 2026.
- Curaçao (Group E): The Caribbean island nation will face giants Germany, as well as Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador.
- Cabo Verde (Group H): They have a dream tie against Spain, alongside Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
- Jordan (Group J): They will meet defending champions Argentina, plus Austria and Algeria.
- Uzbekistan (Group K): The Asian side will face Portugal, Colombia, and a playoff winner.
The new World Cup format
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will break new ground for a number of reasons. Not only will it be the first World Cup to ever be tri hosted, it will also be the first time the competition will be played under the new format.
- A total of 48 teams will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. This is an extension on the 32-team format that has been in use since 1998.
- The 48 teams will play in 12 groups of four. The top two of each group automatically qualify for the knockout stages, along with the eight best third placed teams. All will go into the Round of 32, where the competition becomes a straight knockout.
- The competing 48 nations all come from the six FIFA confederations. UEFA has been allocated 16 places, with CAF receiving nine, AFC eight, CONMEBOL six, CONCACAF six and OFC just the one. The final two places will be filled by the two winners of the inter-confederation play-offs held in March 2026, with five confederations represented in the six-nation mini competition.
World Cup 2026 betting markets
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, more and more markets will become available. At the moment, the only market most bookmakers are offering is for the outright winner. This is because the 48 teams are yet to be confirmed, and obviously, the draw is yet to be made.
When the draw for the competition is complete, you can expect to find the following markets available to bet on:
Stage of elimination
This is a wager on when you think a nation will be eliminated from the FIFA World Cup.
For example, you may think England will match their performance in 2018 and reach the semi-final, so you bet on the Three Lions to be eliminated at the semi-final stage.
You may also feel that the Germans will get knocked out in the group stages again like they did in 2018 and 2022. Again, you can place a wager on this.
Group winners
This is simply a bet on which nation will win their group. If Brazil are drawn in Group A, you can back them to win the group.
The downside to this wager is that the odds wouldn’t be great on such an outcome.
To qualify from the group
This is a great alternative bet to wagering on who will win the group. Betting on this market gives you three possible winners with the top two qualifying, and eight of the best third placed teams also getting through to the Round of 32.
The reason it can be a good value bet is because it offers you the chance to bet on the group outsiders to get through to the next round.
So you may think that a smaller footballing nation like Jordan can qualify from their group, a wager that would almost certainly offer good value odds.
Top scorer
A bet on who will score the most goals at the FIFA World Cup. Harry Kane won the award in 2018 with six goals, and Kylian Mbappé won it in 2022 with eight goals.
Always check the dead heat rules in this market, as it can vary from bookie to bookie.
Some pay out at half the odds if there are two winners, while some may offer assists as a tiebreaker. There is no universal format for dead heats.
How teams qualify for World Cup 2026
With the 2026 World Cup expanded from 32 nations to 48, there are 16 new qualifying places up for grabs. Below, we break down how many teams qualify from each confederation for the World Cup in its new format:
Europe
Europe will be the highest represented continent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 16 nations qualifying from UEFA.
The UEFA nations are broken down into 12 groups, with each group winner claiming a spot at the World Cup during Stage 1 of qualifying.
The other four places are made up from Stage 2.
The 12 group runners-up, along with the four best Nations League group winners who don’t qualify automatically through Stage 1, will compete for the four places.
The 16 nations will play off through four pathways consisting of four teams each. Straight knockouts will decide the four winners.
After 13 UEFA nations took part at Qatar in 2022, the confederation gained three extra places for 2026.
North America
The North, Central American and Caribbean section (CONCACAF) have six places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Three of the places have already gone, with hosts USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualifying.
CONCACAF had three automatic places at the 2022 finals (claimed by the USA, Canada and Mexico), with Costa Rica qualifying through the inter-confederation play-offs.
Along with the three remaining places up for grabs this time, CONCACAF also has two spaces reserved at the inter-confederation play-offs, potentially doubling their allocated number of teams from the four that took part in 2022.
South America
The South American CONMEBOL qualifying section sees ten teams play a round-robin group, with the top six automatically qualifying for the finals, and the seventh placed team going into the inter-confederation play-offs.
Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil have already secured their places, with Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia favourites to join them in the top six automatic qualifying places.
The CONMEBOL section had four automatic qualifiers in 2022, with one nation entering the playoffs – meaning they are benefitting by receiving two extra places in 2026.
Africa
The African CAF section will have a minimum of nine qualifiers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 54 teams entered the qualifying process in nine groups of six, with all nine group winners gaining automatic qualification.
The likes of Egypt and Morocco look well placed to qualify, meaning we should get to see Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi performing at the competition.
The four best runners up will enter a CAF playoff, with the winner advancing to the FIFA inter-confederation play-offs for the final two places in the World Cup.
CAF’s nine automatic qualifiers is a huge increase on the five teams that played in the 2022 edition.
Asia
The Asian (AFC) section will have eight automatic qualifiers and one nation entered into the inter-confederation play-offs.
Already qualified are Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Japan and Australia. There are more playoffs set to take place to decide who the final two automatic qualifiers will be and who will bag the playoff spot.
The AFC was represented by five nations in the 2022 World Cup, so it has also hugely benefitted from the extended format.
Oceania
With many of FIFA’s lowest ranked nations in Oceania, the confederation is only receiving one automatic qualification place for the 2026 World Cup.
New Zealand have already secured that berth, with New Caledonia qualifying to play in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Previously, the winner of the Oceania section only qualified for the inter-confederation play-offs.
As New Zealand lost in the final of their inter-confederation playoff at the previous World Cup, Oceania wasn’t represented in Qatar.
The Kiwis have taken full advantage of the one automatic qualification spot this time around by reaching their first World Cup finals since 2010 and only the third in their history.
Play-Off Tournament
Six teams from five confederations will fight it out for the final two places at the 2026 World Cup in the inter-confederation play-offs.
CONCACAF will have two of the six places, with AFC, CONMEBOL, CAF and Oceania all having one representative each.
With 16 places already allocated, UEFA is not involved in this section of qualifying.
Where the World Cup 2026 will be played
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see a total of 104 matches played across 16 venues in the USA, Canada and Mexico. As the main hosts, the bulk of the games will take place in the USA’s 11 host cities, with Canada hosting matches in two cities and Mexico in three.
In order to regulate times for viewers across the world, cut down on travel at the competition and also help players and fans acclimatise to conditions and time zones, the competition has been split into three regions, with teams based in regional clusters for the group stages.
The regions are West, Central and East. Host cities in the West region are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver.
The Central region is made up of Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Mexico City and Monterrey. While the East region consists of Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia and Toronto.
How to follow the latest World Cup 2026 news and matches
As is the case with previous FIFA World Cups, all matches will be shown free on terrestrial television. The BBC and ITV will cover every match in the UK, and there will also be extensive live radio commentary, also provided by the BBC.
There will be plenty of written coverage as well, and here at The Sun, we will have all the latest news on the competition, along with World Cup betting tips, previews and the best betting offers.
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun.
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