The FIFA World Cup 2026 is less than a year away, and Spain has been tabbed the early favorites ahead of other global powerhouses such as Brazil and Argentina.
Photo By – Imagn Images. Ferran Torres of Spain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group E football match.
With less than a year to go until the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off, the FIFA World Cup 2026 odds are already taking shape.
Defending champions Argentina will look to go back-to-back, but it’s Spain who have emerged as the early betting favorite to lift the trophy next summer.
From Europe’s elite to South America’s giants, the race for global supremacy at the next World Cup is shaping up to be as wide open as ever.
FIFA World Cup odds 2026
Odds as of 11-12.
Cristiano Ronaldo says the 2026 World Cup will be his last
One of the greatest players of all time is gearing up for one last shot at global glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 tournament will likely be his final World Cup appearance, marking the end of an era for Portugal and international soccer.
🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo: “I will retire soon… I did and gave everything for football in the last 25 years”.
“It’s probably one or two years. For sure this will be my last World Cup, definitely”.
“I’m really enjoying the moment”, told Tourise in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/reZO4PlLGk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 11, 2025
Despite turning 41 during the tournament, Ronaldo remains a key piece for Portugal — both on and off the field. His presence has helped keep Portugal’s World Cup odds inside the Top 10 at most sportsbooks, and his farewell tour could provide the emotional spark the squad needs for a deep run.
With a record five World Cups and countless moments of brilliance, all eyes will once again be on CR7 as he chases the one prize that has eluded him throughout his storied career.
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded 48-team format, meaning more nations than ever will secure a spot on the sport’s biggest stage. Qualification is ongoing around the world, but several countries have already booked their place at the tournament.
Below is a live tracker of all nations that have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup. This list will be updated as each confederation finalizes its qualification process.
Automatically qualified Nations (hosts)
Three countries receive automatic entry as tournament co-hosts:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
All three will compete in the group stage as seeded nations.
Nations qualified through FIFA World Cup qualifying
- AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
- CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- OFC: New Zealand
- UEFA: England
Total qualified: 28 of 48 teams.
How to bet on the World Cup
Betting on the FIFA World Cup is one of the most popular events in global sports wagering, with markets ranging from outright winners to player props and live in-game odds. Here’s a breakdown of how to bet on soccer in the most common ways:
- Outright winner: Pick which nation will lift the trophy.
- Group winner: Back a country to finish top of its group.
- Match bets: Wager on moneyline, spread, or totals for individual matches.
- Player props: Bet on tournament-long markets such as who will win the Golden Boot or Golden Ball, or individual match props like goals, shots, or bookings.
Tip: Odds can fluctuate dramatically during the tournament, especially after injuries or upsets, so shopping around for the best line is key.
Past winners of the FIFA World Cup
Since the first tournament in 1930, only eight nations have ever lifted the World Cup. Brazil leads with five titles, followed by Germany and Italy with four apiece. The past decade, however, has seen the rise of new champions like France (2018) and Argentina (2022), signaling a shift in global soccer power.
| Year | World Cup winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Argentina | France |
| 2018 | France | Croatia |
| 2014 | Germany | Argentina |
| 2010 | Spain | Netherlands |
| 2006 | Italy | France |
| 2002 | Brazil | Germany |
| 1998 | France | Brazil |
| 1994 | Brazil | Italy |
| 1990 | West Germany | Argentina |
| 1986 | Argentina | West Germany |
| 1982 | Italy | West Germany |
| 1978 | Argentina | Netherlands |
| 1974 | West Germany | Netherlands |
| 1970 | Brazil | Italy |
| 1966 | England | West Germany |
| 1962 | Brazil | Czechoslovakia |
| 1958 | Brazil | Sweden |
| 1954 | West Germany | Hungary |
| 1950 | Uruguay | Brazil |
| 1938 | Italy | Hungary |
| 1934 | Italy | Czechoslovakia |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Argentina |
World Cup trends
• A host country has won the World Cup five times.
• There has only been one back-to-back World Cup-winning nation in history. Brazil accomplished the feat in 1958 and 1962.
• No African or North American nation has ever played in a World Cup final.
• Prior to 2022, the World Cup had been won by a European nation in the previous four tournaments.
Popular FIFA World Cup betting markets
🏆 World Cup Winner Odds
The most popular market where bettors pick which country will lift the trophy.
🎯 Golden Boot Odds
Bet on which player will finish as the top goalscorer. Past winners include Kylian Mbappé (2022) and Harry Kane (2018).
🌍 Group Winner Odds
Predict which team will finish first in its group during the opening round.
⏱️ Match Result (1X2)
Standard soccer bet: pick the home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2).
⚡ Live Betting
As the action unfolds, in-play odds update every minute — ideal for reacting to momentum swings.
FIFA World Cup 2026 betting splits
According to the latest report from BetMGM, Spain is the most-bet tournament winner with 13.6% of bets and 18.5% of handle.
2026 FIFA World Cup Winner
- Spain – 13.6% of bets, 18.5% of handle
- England – 9.5% of bets, 7.4% of handle
- France – 9.5% of bets, 11.4% of handle
- Portugal – 8.4% of bets, 9.7% of handle
- USA – 7.8% of bets, 5.5% of handle
Fellow hosts Mexico (+6600) has 3.1% of bets and 3% of handle, and Canada (+15000) has 1.2% of bets and less than 0.5% of handle.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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FIFA World Cup Odds FAQs
Spain is the early betting favorite at (+500), with France (+650), England (+650) and Brazil (+750) close behind.
Brazil have won the most World Cups, with five, while Italy and Germany follow with four wins each.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup will take place at 16 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in penalty kicks over France.