The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament ever to be hosted across three different countries.
While host nations usually enjoy a natural advantage thanks to home support, none of the United States, Mexico, or Canada are considered favourites to lift the trophy.
As always, the traditional powerhouses of world football are leading the race to the top.
They’ll compete in world-class stadiums, all aiming to claim the most prestigious prize in the football world.
The Novibet Blog takes a closer look at the leading contenders to win the 2026 World Cup.
👉 See also the full 2026 World Cup schedule and when the tournament begins.
1. Spain – 9/2
European champions Spain head into the tournament as the leading favourites.
“La Roja” haven’t managed to reach the quarter-finals since winning the World Cup in 2010, with back-to-back Round of 16 exits in recent editions. This time, they’ll be aiming to make a real statement.
Managed by Luis de la Fuente, Spain impressed in qualifying with five wins and one draw and boast an exciting new generation of talent.
Players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Rodri are expected to lead the charge.
Drawn in a group alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, Spain’s minimum target will be top spot.
2. England – 6/1
“It’s coming home.” That’s the phrase that follows England into every major tournament.
The nation where football was “born” has been chasing glory for decades, with their only World Cup triumph coming back in 1966, on home soil.
In recent tournaments, England have come close but fallen short. They reached the semi-finals in 2018 and were knocked out in the quarter-finals by France in Qatar.
Now, under Thomas Tuchel, they’re once again among the favourites. With Harry Kane enjoying arguably the best season of his career, England will look to go deep in a group featuring Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
3. France – 11/2
France continue to enter every major tournament as one of the top contenders and for good reason.
World champions in 2018, runners-up in 2022, they now aim to reach a third consecutive final, something only West Germany and Brazil have achieved.
Didier Deschamps, likely in his final tournament as head coach, will be eager to deliver another major success.
Much will depend on Kylian Mbappé, who already sits second on France’s all-time scoring list with 56 goals, just one behind Olivier Giroud.
In a group with Senegal, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq, France are expected to finish top with little trouble.
4. Argentina – 8/1
Defending champions Argentina are naturally among the top favourites to retain their title.
Only Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) have successfully defended the World Cup and that was when the tournament featured far fewer teams.
Much of the spotlight remains on Lionel Messi.
One of the greatest players in football history may be making his final appearance on the World Cup stage.
Now 39, Messi has won it all, and another title would be the perfect ending.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni remains in charge, blending experienced players with fresh talent, but Messi is still the team’s driving force.
Argentina are in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, and are expected to progress comfortably.
5. Brazil – 8/1
With five World Cup titles, Brazil are always among the favourites.
“The Seleção” consistently aim for the top in every competition they enter. Since their 2002 triumph, they’ve reached the quarter-finals four times (2006, 2010, 2018, 2022) and the semi-finals once (2014).
Now under Carlo Ancelotti, the goal is clear: return to the top of the football world.
While recent performances haven’t been spectacular, World Cups often bring out a different level.
One key question remains: the involvement of Neymar. Brazil’s all-time top scorer hopes to feature in what could be his final World Cup, though Ancelotti has yet to confirm his role.
Regardless, the squad remains packed with quality, including stars like Vinícius Jr. and Raphinha.
In Group C, Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, aiming to assert their dominance early on.
