World Cup 2026 odds, who is the favorite, odds, and predictions 

The three and a half year wait is almost over. Two more days, and the World Cup will be back in our lives for the next month and some change. While teams across Mexico, Canada and the US are preparing for group stages, casual and serious gamblers are getting ready for the month long marathon.

Europe’s year?

We will leave the day to day plays to the experts, but before the tournament kicks off on Thursday we wanted to go over the favorites to be hoisting the World Cup come July 19th. The top four favorites are all European teams. Spain gets the honor of being the at the top of the draftkings.com oddsmakers board at (+450). They are coming off of a Euro Championship two years ago, and looking to begin another golden age much like the one that saw them win two Euros and a World Cup in the span of four years.

France (+475) won it eight years ago, and took Argentina to penalties in the final of the Qatar World Cup. They come into this team with the most star power of any team in the tournament, led by Ballon d’Or winner and back to back Champions League winner Ousmane Dembele along side Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Desire Doue in the attack they are the second favorites on the big board.

Thomas Tuchel’s England (+700) side is looking to bring it home for the first time in 60 years. He has maybe the most inform goal scorer in Harry Kane up top with a star studded side, but will the pressure be too much for the Three Lions once again? Portugal (+850) round out the top four favorites which are all from the same continent. This is many people’s sleeper team. They pay quite well for the solid team that they have, and Cristiano Ronaldo will be itching to put a check on the only box that he is yet to fill on his career resume.

Defending champions, Argentina (+900) are the first South American team on the board, fifth on the list of favorites. Like Ronaldo, this will be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup, and might he just have some more magic left in the tank to bring Argentina their second straight World Cup trophy? It should be no surprise that Brazil are the next team on the board. Carlo Ancelotti’s side is full of attacking talent, but just how complete of a team are they? The remains to be seen.

The long shots

Germany (+1400) beat the USMNT in their first tune up before the World Cup, but there were times where they looked second best against Mauricio Pochettino’s men. The Netherlands (+2000) are a sneaky pick, and excellent value paying 20 to 1. Ronald Koeman’s may not have the star power other European giants have, but they have a solid squad from top to bottom and might make a surprise run.

Norway (+3500) are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and they are led by their Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. Meanwhile Belgium (+4000) round out the top 10 after seeing their golden era perhaps come and go. The USMNT (+6000) come in at 13th on the big board, and are looking to not just get past the quarterfinals for the first time since they did it in the first World Cup in 1930, but looking to win it on their home soil.

For whatever it’s worth, my serious pick is Portugal. I think they have the most sound team from top to bottom, and their midfield might be the best in the world. France are the favorite in my eyes, despite what the oddsmakers say, but I’m steering clear of their chance to go to a third straight World Cup final. My long shot is the Netherlands. They always show up at the World Cup, and with not a lot of people talking about them, and with a 20 to 1 chance, I like those odds.

DraftKings odds board

Spain (+450)

France (+475)

England (+700)

Portugal (+850)

Argentina (+900)

Brazil (+950)

Germany (+1400)

Netherlands (+2000)

Norway (+3500)

Belgium (+4000)

Colombia (+4000)

Morocco (+5000)

USA (+6000)

Switzerland (+6500)

Uruguay (+6500)

Japan (+6500)

Mexico (+8000)

Ecuador (+8000)

Turkey (+9000)

Croatia (+9000)

Senegal (+9000)

Sweden (+12000)

Austria (+15000)

Canada (+20000)

Scotland (+20000)

Ivory Coast (+25000)

Czechia (+25000)

Paraguay (+30000)

Egypt (+30000)

Ghana (+30000)

Algeria (+35000)

South Korea (+40000)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (+50000)

Tunisia (+50000)

Australia (+60000)

Iran (+70000)

Congo DR (+100000)

Saudi Arabia (+100000)

South Africa (+100000)

Panama (+100000)

Cape Verde (+100000)

Qatar (+150000)

Uzbekistan (+150000)

New Zealand (+150000)

Iraq (+150000)

Jordan (+250000)

Curacao (+250000)

Haiti (+250000)

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