The 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly here, and with 48 nations competing across the USA, Canada and Mexico, there should be plenty of twists and turns throughout the tournament.
Do not be surprised if there are one ot two shocks along the way, but with more games to be played, the stronger squads should cope with the demands better.
Below, we break down 10 leading contenders in our comprehensive world cup winner predictions, analysing key players, qualifying form, group fixtures and where the 2026 champions could come from.
Spain
Three of the last four World Cup winners went into the tournament as either continental champions or beaten finalists from the preceding competition, so as European champions Spain fit the profile.
La Roja’s young core is maturing at the perfect time and they dominated qualifying with five wins and a draw from six matches.
Pedri and Gavi have returned from injury absences and look relatively fresh while Lamine Yamal has exploded onto the world stage in the past couple of years and could be the star of the tournament.
It would be a huge shock if they did not win group H against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay, which would put them on a straightforward path to the semi-finals without facing any of the big guns, unless Argentina slipped up and finished second in theirs
France
France boast arguably the deepest squad at the tournament and still have three surviving members of the best team from eight years ago, when they defeated Croatia in the final.
While N’Golo Kante may no longer be at his peak, Kylian Mbappé remains one of the deadliest strikers in world football and coach Didier Deschamps would dearly love to sign off in glorious fashion.
France breezed through qualifying with five wins out of six, although their nine-match unbeaten sequence was ended by Ivory Coast on the eve of the tournament.
There will be no room for any slip-ups if they are to win group I alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway, but Les Bleus are central to any serious set of World Cup winner predictions.
England
England’s golden generation enters another major tournament with high expectations but this time under a proven winner in Thomas Tuchel.
And in contrast to previous Premier League-dominated squads, this Three Lions group now boasts a decent number of stars who play abroad.
That additional know-how could be crucial in crucial in key battles against the likes of Spain and Germany in the knockout stages, should England progress from a group containing Croatia, Panama and Ghana.
The African nation could be their greatest obstacle to winning group L and there are question marks over their defence after Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were omitted by Tuchel.
England are consistently included in World Cup winner predictions and, as European Championship runners-up from two years ago, they clearly possess the pedigree to go all the way.
Brazil
Five-time winners Brazil remain one of the best teams around and are perennial contenders in any list of World Cup winner predictions.
Carlo Ancelotti has packed his squad with experience, but while Marquinhos remains at the top of his game, Rodrygo is absent through injury and there are question marks over the form and fitness of stars like Alisson, Fabinho, Lucas Paqueta and Neymar.
Vinícius Júnior is coming off a turbulent campaign, although the Real Madrid winger is never better than when he has a point to prove.
Selecao face an early test from African champions Morocco but should beat both Scotland and Haiti to book their place in the round of 32, after which anything can happen with this super-talented squad.
Argentina
The reigning champions remain a major force even as Lionel Messi transitions into a reduced role.
Lautaro Martínez has been prolific, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister control midfield, and Cristian Romero leads a defence that conceded just twice in their last eight qualifiers.
Lionel Scaloni’s men face Algeria, Austria and Jordan first up and are expected to win group J.
Their cohesion and mentality make them one of the most reliable picks in World Cup winner predictions.
Portugal
Portugal probably have the strongest midfield of any team in the tournament with Paris Saint-Germain duo Joao Neves and Vitinha joined by Bruno Fernandes, who is coming off a stellar season with Manchester United.
But there are some question marks about the depth of their defensive options and whether Cristiano Ronaldo is truly still worth a starting slot up front.
The make-up of Group J, which pits them against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, at least gives coach Roberto Martinez a chance to build chemistry, test rotations, and gain momentum before hitting the gruelling knockout rounds.
Germany
Germany are rebuilding under Julian Nagelsmann with some promising signs.
Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz can be electric, while Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich provide experience.
Their qualifying campaign was steady, but recent friendly wins suggest they are peaking at the right time.
Germany face Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in a group they should navigate comfortably. Their blend of youth and experience keeps them firmly in World Cup winner predictions discussions.
Netherlands
The Netherlands tend to be a boom or bust pick at most tournaments and their backers will usually have an idea which way it is headed after the first game.
Virgil van Dijk leads a squad that will not lack confidence after a superb qualification in which they scored 27 goals and conceded only four.
The Dutch will open up against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in a winnable group. If they find consistency in attack, they could surprise many and should be considered a dangerous dark horse to go all the way.
Norway
There are few nations more excited about this World Cup than Norway, who return to the finals after a 28-year absence with a genuine superstar in their ranks.
Erling Haaland has been unstoppable again for club and country this past season and fans will hope he dovetails well with the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa.
Norway were the highest scorers in European qualifying with 37 goals, but they may need to improve at the back if they are to ensure progress from a group featuring France, Iraq and Senegal.
They are an intriguing outsider, capable of beating anyone on their day.
Belgium
Belgium’s golden generation may be fading, but a new wave is emerging. Jérémy Doku has been electric, Charles De Ketelaere has rediscovered his form, and Amadou Onana is developing into a dominant midfielder.
Belgium topped their qualifying group unbeaten, scoring 29 goals.
They face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in Group G and, while no longer elite, remain capable of a deep run.
World Cup Winner Prediction – Portugal
The draw has been kind enough for Portugal to get some early wins under their belt and carry momentum into the latter stages.
Their Nations League Final win over Spain on penalties last year demonstrated that they can step up on the big occasions too.
A potential knockout round meeting with England should really hold no fears for a nation that have always had the Three Lions’ number.
You can back Ronaldo to finally get his hands on the biggest prize in football at 9/1 with LiveScore Bet.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds Table
Nation | LiveScore Bet Odds |
|---|---|
Spain | 9/2 |
France | 23/5 |
England | 6/1 |
Brazil | 8/1 |
Argentina | 9/1 |
Portugal | 9/1 |
Germany | 12/1 |
Netherlands | 18/1 |
Norway | 25/1 |
Belgium | 33/1 |
Find a range of World Cup Free Bets & Betting Offers and the best betting sites in the UK on LiveScore.
See all World Cup 2026 fixtures and tables.
More World Cup 2026 news and predictions from LiveScore
