Top 10 Teams That Could Win the FIFA World Cup in 2026

The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams competing across 16 cities, including 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. With so many national teams involved, the competition is expected to be fiercer than ever before. While the tournament has three clear favorites, a number of dark horses and other contenders could pull off an upset.

With that in mind, here are our top 10 teams that could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Top 10 Favorites to Win the FIFA 2026 World Cup

Argentina, the defending champions, France, the 2022 runners-up and 2018 champions, and Spain, considered by many to have the strongest squad, are the leading contenders to win the 2026 World Cup. However, they are far from the only teams with realistic title ambitions. Traditional powerhouses such as England, Brazil, Germany, and Portugal, along with emerging contenders like Morocco and Norway, also have the quality to challenge for football’s biggest prize.

. Spain

Considered by many to be the favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain arrives as the reigning European champion. On top of that, La Roja won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League and finished as runners-up in the 2024-25 edition, losing to Portugal only in a penalty shootout. Since March 2023, Spain hasn’t lost a major competitive match in regular time.

The Spanish squad is attack-minded, which can leave it vulnerable at the back. Led by Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old star many consider to be Messi’s heir, La Roja also boasts outstanding players such as Nico Williams, Rodri, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, and Pedri.

2. France

Les Bleus also rank among the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. Since France won its first World Cup title in 1998, it has been the most consistent participant in the final stages, even though it has suffered a few unexpected early eliminations along the way. On top of that, the French squad claimed the World Cup trophy in 2018 and finished as runners-up in 2022.

Ranked third in the FIFA World Ranking, only a shade behind Argentina and Spain, France is led by Didier Deschamps, who has won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. The team’s star is Kylian Mbappé, who finished the 2022 World Cup as the tournament’s leading scorer. Ousmane Dembélé (Ballon d’Or) and Michael Olise are other top performers. What’s more, the French squad has such depth that its quality remains evident even when some of its top players aren’t on the field.

3. Argentina

The reigning champions have many reasons to believe they can defend their title. Having Lionel Messi, whom many consider the greatest football player of all time, and a squad that combines experience and youth are just two of them. The Albiceleste currently top the FIFA World Ranking, albeit by only a small margin over Spain. They won the 2021 and 2024 editions of the Copa América, the latter of which was also held in the United States.

On the other hand, only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 successfully defended their World Cup titles. Repeating that feat is notoriously difficult. Only a select group of footballers have managed to be part of multiple World Cup-winning squads, a feat that places them among the most successful FIFA World Cup players of all time[BG1] . But the team led by Lionel Scaloni, which, in addition to Messi, includes Emiliano Martínez, Lautaro Martínez, and Cristian Romero, certainly has plenty of reasons for optimism.

4. Portugal

Portugal, the winner of the most recent UEFA Nations League, where it defeated Spain in the final, is also among the formidable teams capable of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Another reason for optimism is that four of its players, Mendes, Neves, Ramos, and Vitinha, won the UEFA Champions League with PSG.

What’s more, Cristiano Ronaldo, even though 41 years old, proved against Spain in the Nations League finals that he can still score crucial goals. However, some may view Portugal’s leadership by a foreign manager as a potential disadvantage, as they do with Brazil and England.

5. England

Many sports betting sites give England a strong chance of becoming world champions in 2026. Major international tournaments also tend to generate some of the industry’s most competitive free bet offers, particularly as the opening match approaches.

Although England enters the tournament without a few of its top players, the team will be led by prolific striker Harry Kane, who should receive plenty of support from Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and the rest of the squad. England is also ranked fourth in the FIFA World Ranking.

6. Brazil

Even though Brazil isn’t among the leading favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, it shouldn’t be underestimated. Its triumph in 2002, after securing a place in the tournament on the final matchday of qualifying, is proof enough. While the Seleção hasn’t reached another World Cup final since then and enters the tournament with fewer star players than in previous generations, it remains a formidable contender.

With Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines and Vinícius Júnior leading the attack, anything is possible. One historical trend does work against Brazil, however: no national team has ever won the World Cup under a foreign manager. But Ancelotti should be able to break that tradition.

7. Germany

Ranked tenth in the FIFA World Ranking, Germany should advance to the knockout stage from a group with Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao. From that point on, much will depend on its ranking and those of its potential opponents, as the German squad enters the tournament as a dark horse rather than a favorite to win the 2026 World Cup.

It’s quite realistic that they could meet France, Brazil, or Norway on their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, either in the Round of 32 or the Round of 16. Overcoming any of those opponents may present a significant challenge.

8. Morocco

The Moroccans are the highest-ranked African squad, currently seventh in the FIFA World Ranking. They were also spectacular semifinalists at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

With a mix of 2022 veterans and promising young players, the Moroccan squad, led by Achraf Hakimi, a UEFA Champions League winner with PSG, and featuring Brahim Díaz of Real Madrid, could well reach the final stages of the 2026 World Cup.

9. The Netherlands

This squad may face a difficult path to the Round of 16. While it should still advance from one of the tournament’s toughest groups, alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia, it could face Brazil on the way to joining the top 16 teams competing for the World Cup title. However, if the Dutch make it past that stage, their chances of making a deep run in the tournament could increase considerably.

10. Norway

The Norwegians scored the most goals (37) of all teams in the qualifiers, collecting a maximum 24 points in eight matches. Their talented squad’s top performers are prolific striker Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals, and Martin Ødegaard, who has proven invaluable in creating chances for the team’s forwards.

Can Co-Hosts Ruffle the Favorites’ Feathers?

Ranked 14th (Mexico), 17th (the USA), and 30th (Canada) in the FIFA World Ranking, the 2026 World Cup co-hosts may have a chance to reach the knockout stage, particularly Mexico and the USA. However, betting odds from reputable sportsbooks don’t favor them advancing to the tournament’s final stages.

Which Team Could Be the Surprise Package?

Japan could make a deep run beyond the favorites expected to reach the final stages of the 2026 World Cup. Its squad has been on the verge of a breakthrough for decades. However, the current team is considered stronger than previous ones, including the 2022 squad, which was knocked out in the Round of 16 by Croatia, which ultimately finished third.

The Race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Trophy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the tournament yet. Spain, France, and Argentina currently lead the race, but England, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Norway all have the quality to challenge for football’s biggest prize. With an expanded format, world-class talent across the globe, and matches spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, there is plenty to look forward to. As the tournament draws closer, fans will be debating favorites, tracking the latest odds, and consulting our list of the best online bookmakers to bet on WC 2026 ahead of the opening match. We’re excited to see which of these top 10 teams rises above the competition and lifts the World Cup trophy.