World Cup 2026 Odds and Predictions

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, and for the first time in the tournament's history, it will be staged in three different countries. The USA, Canada, and Mexico will each share hosting duties, with games held across 16 different cities.

Further history will be made with the number of participating teams increasing from 32 to 48. There will be 104 matches taking place across 39 days.

Here at Mansion Bet, we have analysed the latest World Cup odds and we’ll put the spotlight on alternative markets such as top goalscorer and group winners. Our data-driven research will give you more clarity ahead of placing your bets on this summer’s much-anticipated tournament.

Only eight nations have lifted the World Cup since its inception in 1930. Although we have an expanded pool of 48 teams, most bettors are likely to focus on the top ten sides listed in the World Cup winners odds market.

Here are the latest World Cup odds as of January 9th, 2026. We’ve also added the bookmaker currently offering the best price for each team.

Last updated: 10 January 2026

Spain (5/1)

Spain are the favourites to win the World Cup at 5/1 according to the latest odds. They are ranked number one in the official FIFA ranking and have been drawn in one of the easiest groups where they will be facing Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay in Group H. They won’t meet the holders Argentina until at least the semi-finals if they finish top of this section. 

Spain barely put a foot wrong in qualifying, dropping just two points, and winning each of their first five matches with a +19 goal difference. There is an expectation that they will breeze through this section.

The majority of pundits are likely to include La Roja in their World Cup predictions this year as their squad is stacked with quality, including one of the most talked-about players in the world, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. He became the youngest player to represent his country at Euro 2024, and with that tournament experience, he should be able to kick on. There is also consistency in the dugout, with Luis de la Fuente having been in charge since 2022.

Keeping players fit will be Spain’s biggest challenge, with midfielder Rodri having suffered several injury setbacks. Most of the squad will come into this tournament off the back of an energy-sapping season, and that may have an impact on their intensity, especially in the latter stages of the tournament.

Recency bias tends to creep into the World Cup betting odds and they deserve to be favourites based on their performances at Euro 2024. Nevertheless, 5/1 isn’t good value in a 48-strong field.

England (6/1)

The England World Cup odds are currently 6/1, making the Three Lions second favourites for success according to our recommended betting sites.

A perfect qualifying campaign is one of the many reasons for England fans to be confident heading into this tournament. They have come close at previous editions and managed to reach the final of Euro 2024, yet they have a habit of just falling short.

With a vastly experienced coach and one of Europe’s deadliest strikers in Harry Kane, they are a force to be reckoned with. Jude Bellingham is a classy operator, and they also have a dependable operator between the sticks in Jordan Pickford.

They have been handed an advantage which will see them avoid France until the final, and they won’t encounter either Spain or Argentina until the semi-final stage. Their group looks relatively straightforward, although they may face a battle with Croatia for top spot. Ghana and Panama are unlikely to challenge Thomas Tuchel’s side.

The biggest question surrounding England is their mentality and whether they have what it takes to go all the way. They’ve come close recently, but the England World Cup odds of 6/1 may be a little too short for some bettors, who may also have concerns about their defensive depth.

France (8/1)

As the third favourites in the World Cup betting odds, we’re expecting Les Bleus to make it to the latter stages of the tournament. Despite the speculation surrounding the future of manager Didier Deschamps, he remains at the helm and is aiming to become the first manager since 1938 to guide his side to WC glory twice.

France will be spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe, who’s enjoyed another productive season at Real Madrid, lighting up both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, The rest of the squad is talented with Ousmane Dembele, Hugo Ekitike and Michael Olise. The French defence is steady and solid, with Arsenal’s William Saliba expertly marshalling the back-line.

The identity of the fourth member of Group I remains unknown, although they will fancy their chances of seeing off either Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname. Senegal shouldn’t cause them too much trouble either, although they could face a battle for top spot with Norway.

France will face one of the best third-placed sides in the knockout stages if they finish top of this section. We believe that Didier Deschamps’ side will be there or thereabouts in the summer of 2026, and as they aren’t the favourite to win the World Cup, there is a little bit of value to be found in backing them at 8/1.

Brazil (8/1)

It’s unusual for Brazil to be joint-third favourites in the World Cup winner odds, yet there is the prevailing sense that their squad lacks dynamism and quality.

Their trump card is Carlo Ancelotti, with the vastly experienced coach excelling in tournament formats. He has a fantastic record when it comes to knock-out football.

No team has won more World Cup titles than Brazil, and they were successful the last time this tournament was held in the USA (1994). They didn’t have the easiest qualifying campaign, yet they’re in a fairly winnable group, alongside first-timers Haiti, Scotland and Morocco. The latter may be the side to cause them a few issues, having caught the eye at Qatar 2022.

Neymar’s inclusion is unconfirmed, and injuries may prevent him from getting another crack at this event. Vinicius Jr will be one of the first names on the teamsheet, and will surely benefit from teaming up with his former coach. They have a steady presence in goal with Alisson Becker, and Raphinha, Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel all add experience and quality.

There may be doubts over the age and quality of the squad, particularly the lack of back-up options, yet Ancelotti is an imperious coach, making their World Cup odds of 8/1 inherently backable.

Argentina (8/1)

Clinching back-to-back World Cup titles is uncommon, and this may be factored into Argentina’s World Cup odds. Nevertheless, the price of 8/1 is eye-catching, considering that they retain the majority of the squad which propelled them to glory in the Middle East.

They’ve been handed a kind draw and will face Jordan, Algeria and Austria. The latter, under Ralf Rangnick, should push them all the way, but Argentina’s quality should get them over the line. They finished top of the South American qualifying group, amassing 38 points from 18 games, and have very few weaknesses.

Talisman Lionel Messi remains a focal point for La Albiceleste, notching eight times during qualifying. Julian Alvarez enjoyed another productive campaign in the Spanish capital, with Lautaro Martinez a frequent scorer in Serie A. At the back, Emiliano Martinez is a classy stopper and is adept at gamesmanship.

There aren’t too many concerns, yet history suggests that they are unlikely to go back-to-back. There is the potential for an overreliance on Messi, and the Inter Miami man offers very little defensively these days. We think their odds of 8/1 are perfectly fair.

Although most World Cup predictions will focus on the top five or six in the betting odds, some nations will be named as potential ‘dark horses’.

Morocco were the dark horses of the 2022 World Cup, and the African side are likely to ruffle a few feathers again. Uruguay’s preparations have been far from smooth, yet the presence of head coach Marcelo Bielsa gives them a chance of progression. Netherlands and Portugal are other options for this tag.

Japan appear to be improving with each tournament and at 80/1 in the World Cup odds, they may appeal to some punters. Croatia always tends to reserve their best performances for major tournaments and if they can finish above England in the group stage, they have a good chance of making it to the semi-final stage.

Long Shots

Some sides will be entertaining to follow this summer, yet they may not make it all the way to the final. Although they are priced up at 200/1 in the World Cup winner odds, matches involving Turkey always tend to be chaotic, watchable affairs.

Scotland won’t give much away, although they are drawn alongside Brazil which tempers expectations. Switzerland routinely reach the knock-out stages and it could be worth keeping an eye on joint-hosts Canada, who have had plenty of time to prepare for this tournament and seem to be improving.

Before placing a bet, it’s important to shop around. This allows you to find the best odds and potentially take advantage of the various World Cup promotions. These tend to become available in the run-up to the event.

When it comes to the World Cup odds, the prices will fluctuate once the draw has been completed and when the final squads are announced. It’s generally advised to wait until the eve of the tournament to place bets on this market, however, some savvy bettors may also capitalise on bookmakers reacting slowly to the group stage draw. This will allow you to plot the potential path of each nation, focusing on teams who may successfully dodge fellow big-hitters until the latter stages.

Favourites don’t tend to fare well at the FIFA World Cup, with 7/2 shots Brazil bowing out to Croatia in the quarter-finals four years ago. The Selecao were joint-favourites for Russia 2018 and were humbled by Belgium and they suffered humiliation at the hands of Germany in 2014 despite being priced up at 11/4. Spain were the last favourites to justify their place at the top of the market in 2010.

Top Goalscorer / Golden Boot

The top goalscorer market is a popular option for World Cup bettors, although it’s not the easiest puzzle to solve. All players are at risk of injuries and unexpected tactical reshuffles can occasionally surprise bettors. 

As the England World Cup odds suggest, the Three Lions are expected to progress to the latter stages of the tournament and that should be good news for backers of Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker is the joint-favourite at 7/1 and will be looking to recreate the six-goal haul which saw him secure the Golden Boot at Russia 2018. Kylian Mbappe, who notched eight times at Qatar 2022 is also fancied to replicate those heroics.

Lionel Messi is third favourite and Norway’s Erling Haaland is a legitimate contender at 14/1. The Man City striker is making his first World Cup appearance and will be expected to transfer his domestic form to the international stage.

History suggests that players require at least five goals to put themselves in contention, with 7-8 likely to be enough for the Golden Boot. However, it should be noted that the extra matches could increase this total.

Value seekers may look towards Vinicius Jr at 22/1 or Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal at 40/1 with Betvictor.

Some bookmakers offer regional markets such as top European team, top South American team, and top CONCACAF team. Generally, these markets arrive in the weeks leading up to the tournament, but some betting sites may already have created these.

These markets are a decent alternative to the World Cup winner odds as there are fewer potential outcomes, although this tends to be reflected in the shorter odds. You do not need your chosen team to lift the trophy, you just require them to progress further than the other nations in that confederation.

Top South American / CONMEBOL Team

This looks to be a head-to-head battle between Brazil and Argentina. Argentina are fractionally ahead of Brazil in this market, yet there isn’t much between them. The holders are expected to reach the final four, so there is a decent chance that they can outlast their fellow South Americans.

Top European / UEFA Team

There are numerous options in this market with Spain, France, England and Germany all vying to be the top European side. Even if Brazil or Argentina are successful, you just need your nation to make it further than their continental rivals. Germany are a big price in this market, and should be hard to beat under the savvy Julian Nagelsmann.

Top CONCACAF Team

Although none of the CONCACAF sides are likely to feature prominently in our World Cup predictions, you just need to pick the nation who will progress the furthest. This section includes the three co-hosts, so studying the qualifying results will only get you so far. Mexico looks to be a sensible option here, although Canada are gradually improving.

Top CAF Team

Morocco has the shortest price and are the sensible choice, however, the outcome of AFCON may help to shift the betting market. Tunisia will not give much away, whereas Egypt will be hoping that Mo Salah can sprinkle some of his magic on the tournament.

Top AFC Team

Most of the AFC teams have been overlooked in the World Cup odds, yet they simply need to show some staying power and outlast each of their neighbouring nations. Japan are the obvious choice in this market and it is hard to make a case for many others. Iran are stubborn, but limited, whereas South Korea have plenty of tournament experience.

This is a popular option for bettors who wish to hedge their bets and don’t want to commit to choosing a tournament winner. To receive a payout, your chosen nation will need to reach the final, although there is no requirement to lift the trophy. If your team gets to the final, you can sit back and relax, as you’ll be paid out regardless of the outcome.

Spain may be 5/1 to go all the way, yet they can be backed at 12/5 to make it to the final. This market is ideal for teams who routinely fall short such as England. They struggle to complete the job and rarely rise to the big occasion. The Three Lions are 14/5 to make it to the showpiece event.

If you believe that you have found value in the World Cup winner odds, then we advise taking a look at this market as the 7/1 for Germany and 10/1 for the Netherlands are likely to give you a run for your money. Bookmaker prices will fluctuate and there is a vast discrepancy between operators, giving punters an opportunity to shop around and grab some generous prices.

The best time to bet on this market is once the draw has been conducted and you are able to plot the patch of each side.

Once the groups are finalised, bookmakers will release their prices for the Group Winner market.

Some sections such as Group H look potentially one-sided, whereas others are wide open and these are perfect for value seekers. Group F could be a straight shooutout between Japan and the Netherlands whereas Group D looks fairly open with hosts USA facing Paraguay and Australia. France could face stiff competition from Norway in their section.

Looking for second or third favourites in competitive groups is the best strategy here. Betting against odds-on favourites can be profitable if you believe that a much-fancied nation will underperform.

It’s advised to study the schedule, paying particular attention to which sides are still likely to require points in the third and final group game.

This market isn’t priced up by all bookmakers, so shopping around is absolutely essential. If you have a strong opinion, this is a good market to explore. For example, if you believe that Brazil will slightly underperform, you can back them at 4/1 to be eliminated in the semis.

Conversely, if you fancy a team to surpass expectations, this market is a decent option. For example, Canada can be backed at 3/1 to be eliminated in the round of 16.

These markets tend to be available throughout the tournament, allowing you to make an assessment following the first set of matches. Furthermore, if you wish to hedge your outright tournament bets, you can always back your team to crash out in the semi-finals, just in case they don’t go all the way.

Use the draw to work out which teams are likely to face challenging round of 16 or quarter-final fixtures.

The format of the expanded World Cup will result in eight third-placed teams progressing to the Round of 32. This adds interest to the tournament and created another betting opportunity.

It’s best to shop around and find a bookmaker offering this market. This is a fairly unpredictable novelty market, so small stakes are advised, but if you can find a competitive group, you may be able to pick a team to advance as the best third-place finisher. Once again, we strongly advise assessing all groups and potential permutations.

Shopping Around

World Cup betting odds fluctuate considerably and it’s advised to shop around before settling on a bet. A small price discrepancy can make a considerable difference to your profit margins.

Some betting sites have priced Belgium at 33/1, whereas others are offering 50/1 and above. If you placed a £10 bet with the bookmaker offering higher odds, you would receive £500 as opposed to £330 with the other firm.

Prices will also fluctuate depending on betting volume and some operators are much slower to adjust their prices. Make sure you check out all of our recommended bookmakers before finalising your World Cup wagers.

Early vs Late Betting

Early bettors often find value before the market has managed to catch up, however, late bettors are often armed with more information and insight. There are pros and cons to both approaches and it’s strongly recommended to take your time and consider all possible outcomes.

Most World Cup betting markets remain available throughout the tournament, although some may be removed once the matches kick off.

Implied Probability

You don’t need to have a degree in mathematics to calculate implied probability. Knowing how to work out the true value of sports odds is essential to profitable betting.

If you’re using decimal odds, you can calculate this easily:

1 divided by the decimal odds x 100

1 divided by 2.50 (x 100) = 40

There is a 40% chance of this outcome.

If you believe that there is a 50% chance of this occurrence, then this can be considered a value bet. If you judge there to be a 20% chance, this is a poor value bet.

Identifying Value

Using the implied probability calculation, you can assess whether you believe that bookmaker odds are fair. Finding value may take time and you may only find one or two bets per day, however, this is crucial to long-term profitability.

If you judge something to have a 50% chance of happening, then you are expecting to see odds of 1/1 (2.00). If you are getting better odds (7/4 or 2.75), then this is an attractive proposition. If you find a bookmaker offering 4/5 (1.8), this represents poor value.

When NOT to Bet

Sometimes the best thing is to simply sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Don’t bet on extremely short odds-on favourites as these do not represent value and you’re going to need a few of them to make a decent profit.

Bookmakers will have different views on probability and their odds are likely to reflect this. You can take advantage of these discrepancies by shopping around and finding the best possible value. Some betting sites may market themselves by offering competitive odds, hence their slightly inflated prices, whereas others may take a more conservative approach, but give punters an opportunity to use an odds-boost to increase potential returns. Different risk models will also come into practice, resulting in a rich tapestry of World Cup betting odds.

To illustrate this, we’ve compared the odds of the World Cup 2026 Outright Market from various online bookmakers. Please note, these prices were correct on January 10th, 2026 and are subject to change.

AK Bets consistently offer the best outright prices for the 2026 World Cup, although many other operators aren’t too far behind. Check out each of our recommended online sportsbooks to sign up for an account and ensure you don’t miss out on the standout prices ahead of this summer’s sporting spectacle. Many of our standout bookmakers have enhanced odds and will be offering World Cup promotions once we get closer to kick off on June 11th, 2026.

The expanded FIFA World Cup will result in more betting opportunities for football fans, yet, we cannot stress the importance of shopping around and ensuring that you do not accept inferior odds. Use our bookmaker comparison page to find out which operators are offering standout prices, World Cup promotions alongside in-depth tournament coverage.

You can also check out our dedicated bookmaker bonuses page to see a summary of the latest bonuses available for sports bettors.

Now that the draw has been made, bookmakers are beginning to add alternative markets, so if you fancy exploring something a little less conventional, now is a good time to start comparing and conducting your research. Nevertheless, waiting until the domestic season has reached its conclusion and the preliminary squads have been finalised is probably the best policy if you’re planning to get involved in markets such as the top tournament goalscorer.

Responsible gambling is vitally important and here at Mansion Bet, we recognise the importance of only betting when you feel like you’ve unearthed some value. Avoid backing odds-on favourites at short prices as this is not a profitable way to approach the 2026 World Cup.