Who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

In the following article, we are going to look at potential winners of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup of the tournament as a whole. This is the ultimate soccer prize to win for fans and players alike. The 4-yearly tournament heads to North America 4 years short of its centenary and should be a real spectacle with 48 teams, including enlarged group and knockout stages promising more action and more betting opportunities.

Being held only every four years and including almost all the World’s leading players the World Cup is understandably seen by most people as the premier football competition. With nearly 100 years of history it’s also probably the most well known tournament globally.

With this edition to be held in 2026 being the largest it will surely have the most money ever gambled on it. The tournament will include 40 more matches and 12 extra teams than four years ago so bookmakers will be expecting an even bigger bonanza than the $35 billion gambled on it before. You will find plenty of offers online on the World Cup Winner markets, including odds boosts and money-back bets. Use these to your advantage to find the best value you can.

Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 teams to watch out for?

Let’s look at each region at the World Cup and see which are the standout teams from each.

Best in Europe – Spain 🇪🇸

• World Ranking: 1st
• Record: 17 Finals – Best Champions (2010)
• Odds: 6/1
• Other Best FIFA Ranked Teams in the Region: France (3), England (4), Portugal (6)

Spain are ranked number one in the World and should enter this competition with plenty of national hope for a repeat of their one victory back in 2010. Especially as they are reigning European champions from 2024. Winning that tournament is arguably harder than winning the World Cup. Their group looks simple to navigate with Uruguay the main opposition (the others are Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde). Of course Argenitna lost to the Saudis in 22 before going on to win the cup that year. The coach De Fuente has had 4 years to prepare for this tournament and knows his players intimately which will be of real importance in such a long event like this.

My Spain FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To reach the Final

Best in South America – Argentina 🇦🇷

• World Ranking: 2nd
• Record: 19 Finals – Best Champions (1978, 1986, 2022)
• Odds: 9/1
• Other Best Ranked Teams in Region: Brazil (5), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16)

Inspired by their talisman Messi Argentina won the last World Cup in 2022. They have many of the same players (including an ageing Lionel). They have an easy group and should have the squad depth to go deep in the tournament. They should deal well with the North American heat and will be a force to be reckoned with throughout June and July.

My Argentina FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To reach the Semi Finals

Best in North America – USA 🇺🇸

• World Ranking:14th
• Record: 11 Finals – Best 3rd Place (1930)
• Odds: 80/1
• Other Best Ranked Teams in Region: Mexico (15),

With home advantage the Americans might be able to surprise a few people. Their squad is mainly MLS-based and that league is a lot stronger than it used to be, plus they will be used to the summer heat. I think they can progress to at least the last 16 in this World Cup but can’t see them going much further than this.

My USA FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To reach the last 16

Best in Asia – Japan 🇯🇵

• World Ranking: 18th
• Record: 7 Finals – Best Last 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
• Odds:100/1
• Other Best Ranked Teams in Region: Iran (20), S.Korea (22), Uzbekistan (50)

Asian teams have not always had the best runs in the World Cup and Japan have often flattered to decive. In a group with Tunisia, the Netherlands and potentially Poland, Ukraine or Sweden, 2026 is not going to be easy for the Blue Samurai either. I can see them squeezing out the group but not much beyond that. Their squad lacks experience at the back, and also of big match experience and I think they will struggle against higher quality opposition.

My Japan FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To qualify from the group

Best in Africa – Morocco 🇲🇦

• World Ranking:11th
• Record: 6 Finals – Best 4th Place (2022)
• Odds: 150/1
• Other Best Ranked Teams in Region at WC: Senegal (19), Egypt (34), Algeria (35)

Morocco were the surprise package of the last World Cup and still hold the nucleus of the squad that took them to a shock 4th place. They should get out of a group that holds Brazil ,Scotland and Haiti. In the knockout rounds anything can happen of course but I think teams will be a bit better prepared to face them and I can’t see them getting beyond the last 16, perhaps the Quarter Finals at best.

My Morocco FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To reach the last 16

Best in Ocienia – Australia 🇦🇺

• World Ranking: 26th
• Record: 6 Finals Apperances – Best Last 16 (2006, 2022)
• Odds: 500/1
• Other Best Ranked Teams in Region at WC: New Zealand (86)

I appreciate Australia qualify via the Asian section but sticking to geographical terms they are the strongest of the teams in the Oceania area.  They won’t be winning the overall world cup but they should manage to get themselves out of a grup that includes USA, Paraguay and either Turkey, Romania, Kosovo or Slovakia.

The squad has a healthy mix of experience and youth and coach Popovic has plenty of managerial experience so they should be well prepared for the competition.

My Australia FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediciton: To qualify from the group

Where to watch FIFA World Cup 2026

Almost every national TV network will have the World cup live and it can be streamed as well online at multiple websites including many bookmakers.

Prediction for the Winners of the FIFA World Cup 2026

Before we make a final FIFA World Cup 2026 Winner prediction. Let’s think about some general FIFA World Cup 2026 Betting Tips for the upcoming event.

Of course betting on a tournament winner is just one bet of many to place at a World Cup. Odds will fluctuate wildly as well over the coming months with changes to the groups (via playoffs) and injuries to key players that may crop up. Once the tournament starts results and the team’s potential path to the final will also mean odds change as they go. This means it’s wise to get your bet on at the optimum time. Also watch out for offers to boost your bet from sportsbooks such as money back if your team reaches the final/semi finals.