The 2026 World Cup is right around the corner and for the first time in its history there will be 48 competitors. The expanded competition, spread across the US, Mexico and Canada, has certainly opened up the market and divided opinion. Will Europe dominate? Can a South American giant conquer in a familiar climate? Or will an Asian nation be the surprise package?
Nathan Joyes will be providing
World Cup betting tips
throughout the tournament dives into the leading contenders and provides his best bet for the outright market, as well as looks for a lively outsider worth backing and cashing out on in the latter stages of the competition.
Latest World Cup Outright Winner Betting Odds
Country
BetMGM World Cup Winner Odds
Spain
9/2
France
5/1
England
6/1
Brazil
8/1
Argentina
8/1
Portugal
12/1
Germany
12/1
Netherlands
18/1
Norway
25/1
Belgium
33/1
Leading contenders to win the World Cup
Both Spain (9/2) and France (5/1) head the
World Cup betting markets
and it's hard to find too many arguments against it. France, a squad that is stacked with talent, will be a popular bet amongst punters. Les Bleus dominated their World Cup qualifying group and have since beaten both Brazil and Colombia in competitive friendlies on US soil.
Although Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike is set to miss out, he’s almost not missed due to the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe ready to lead the line. Didier Deschamps doesn’t have too many casualties to worry about, and his 26-man squad will have every nation worried this summer.
All eyes will be on Luis de la Fuente’s squad who head into this World Cup as Euro holders after beating England 2-1 in the final. The vast majority of that team remains and those young players who were so successful have only matured further during the last two years.
It’s safe to say Luis de la Fuente has revolutionised the national team and sets his team up to dominate possession yet be ruthless in the final third. Spain are favourites - alongside France - and for good reason.
Thomas Tuchel will be the man to attempt to take England (6/1) further than Gareth Southgate who has gotten closer than anyone in over 50 years. The Three Lions waltzed through the qualifiers without conceding a single goal, and similar to Spain, there’s a core of young talent that is capable of carrying England far. Whether they can hold their nerve and take that final step remains to be seen.
Next in the market are representatives from South America. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil (8/1) arrive out of sorts but the Italian will be hoping key individuals, such as Neymar’s shock inclusion, can cause an upset.
And while holders Argentina (8/1) aren’t fancied to win back-to-back trophies, Lionel Scaloni’s side breezed through a challenging qualifying campaign and will always carry a threat with one of the best squads on paper. However, no nation has won consecutive World Cups since 1962 (Brazil) and other nations seem to have improved over the last two years. Argentina won’t have it all their own way this time round.
World Cup Winner Betting Tips
Winner
Spain to lift the trophy at 9/2 with
BetMGM
It’s incredibly difficult to look past Spain, who will be very disappointed to not at least reach the final. Luis de la Fuente has built a squad that is not only filled with world-class talent, but he knows how to get the best out of them as a collective group.
Having been involved with the national team at youth level, the Spaniard has shaped the future of his nation and that was evident two years ago at the Euros.
Lamine Yamal heads to the World Cup as arguably the best player in the world, while other young talents including Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Nico Williams can showcase their class in front of anyone.
France could be their downfall if and when they clash, but what de la Fuente has built is nothing short of exceptional and Spain deserves to sit at the top of the market with other nations having question marks around them.
Outsider
- Japan each-way at 50/1
For those looking to have a bet away from those at the head of the market, it might be worth backing Japan at 50/1 to cause an upset. The Samurai Blue may not have pulled up any trees at previous editions, but Hajime Moriyasu’s squad once again qualified with ease and have beaten both Brazil and England in following friendlies.
This well-drilled side will not only be difficult to break down, but there’s talent at the other end of the pitch capable of hurting frustrated nations on the break. Ayase Ueda has just scored 25 league goals for Feyenoord, while Reims’ Keito Nakamura has produced 14 Ligue 1 goals.
One could argue clashing against a far superior nation will be their downfall when going toe-to-toe with the likes of Spain or France, but Japan showed against England they can play without fear - an underrated quality within this extremely organised side. We have a
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and backing Japan would be a great way to use a bonus with less risk.
World Cup Outright Winner Betting Market Strategy
The Spain bet is simple. No frills here, just an outright selection that Spain will get their hands on the World Cup trophy. Japan, however, will depend very much on who they draw in the following rounds. But there’s every chance they top Group F, which could see them bypass a European giant in the first knockout stage. A cash out possibility in the quarter-final could well bank some profit from a big opening antepost price.
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