Spain and France enter the 2026 World Cup as co-favourites at around 5.00-6.00, separated by fractions depending on the bookmaker. Behind them, England, Brazil and Argentina form a tightly grouped chasing pack. Since Italy in 1982, every World Cup winner has entered the tournament at odds of 8/1 or shorter. That historical pattern narrows the realistic betting window considerably, but within it there is genuine value to be found, particularly in the mid-market where teams at 10.00-15.00 offer meaningful returns for a realistic outcome.
| Team | Approx. odds* | Case for |
| Spain | 5.00 – 5.50 | Reigning European champions; deepest squad; high scoring projection |
| France | 5.50 – 6.00 | Mbappe in prime; reached last two finals; tournament experience |
| England | 7.00 – 8.00 | Kane leads strong squad; settled under Tuchel; third in market |
| Brazil | 9.00 – 10.00 | Vinicius and Raphinha; five-time winners; manageable group draw |
| Argentina | 9.00 – 11.00 | Defending champions; Messi final tournament; experienced squad |
| Portugal | 11.00 – 13.00 | Ronaldo’s final WC; Bruno and Leao supporting; top-10 squad quality |
| Germany | 13.00 – 16.00 | Rebuilt squad; host continent advantage; value at these odds |
| Morocco | 60.00+ | 2022 semi-finalists; Gulf interest; value at long price |
*Odds are approximate and sourced from current market prices as of early June 2026. Always check live prices before placing.
Spain: The Case for the Favourites
Spain enter the tournament as reigning European champions under Luis de la Fuente, and pre-tournament projection models rate them as the highest-scoring team in the competition. Their squad depth is exceptional: Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal lead the attack, with Pedri, Gavi and Fabian Ruiz providing creativity in midfield. They are drawn in Group H alongside Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, a manageable group that should allow them to build momentum.
The case against Spain is that they have not won the World Cup since 2010 and have occasionally underperformed at major tournaments relative to their squad quality. Their knockout record in recent editions has been inconsistent. At 5.00-5.50, they are fairly priced rather than outstanding value.
France: The Consistent Tournament Force
France have been involved in the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 and losing to Argentina in 2022. They arrive in 2026 with Kylian Mbappe at the peak of his career, having scored 42 goals at club level in 2025-26. Their squad also includes Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and a settled defensive structure that has been reliable in tournament football.
The parallel with Spain is striking: both teams enter at almost identical odds, both have exceptional attacking quality, and both carry questions about their defensive resilience under pressure. France’s experience of final-stage knockout football gives them a slight edge in terms of tournament pedigree.
England: The Contender Finally Arriving?
England enter at around 7.00-8.00, clearly third in the market but with a genuine case. Harry Kane is the first-choice striker and penalty taker, settled at Bayern Munich and entering the tournament after a prolific qualifying campaign. Thomas Tuchel has brought tactical stability since taking over. England begin against Croatia on June 17 in a group (L) that gives them a manageable path to the knockout rounds.
England’s World Cup record since 1966 makes them a difficult team to back at any price. They have the squad to win it; their ceiling is as high as anyone. The question is whether the tournament temperament is finally there. At 7.00-8.00, they represent genuine value if you believe this is their time.
Brazil and Argentina: South American Interest
Brazil are the most decorated team in World Cup history with five titles, the most recent in 2002. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha give them match-winners on both flanks, and they are drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti; a manageable start. At 9.00-10.00, they are priced as outsiders for a team of their quality, which makes them interesting each-way at these odds.
Argentina enter as defending champions with Lionel Messi playing what is almost certainly his final World Cup. At 38, Messi remains capable of decisive moments even if the extraordinary goal volumes of his peak are behind him. Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez give Argentina a squad capable of winning from behind. At 9.00-11.00, they carry more uncertainty than in 2022 but are not to be ignored.
Gulf Interest: Morocco at Long Odds
For Kuwait bettors with interest in Arab football, Morocco are the most compelling long-price option. They reached the semi-finals in 2022, beating Spain and Portugal along the way, and enter 2026 with their core squad largely intact: Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Nayef Aguerd and Brahim Diaz. Youssef En-Nesyri has been left out, which is a concern for their goal threat, but Morocco’s defensive structure and ability to hurt teams on the counter give them a genuine ceiling.
At 60.00 or longer, Morocco represent a classic each-way bet: low stakes with high reward if they replicate or exceed 2022. For the $25,000 Leaderboard at Betfinal, a Morocco outright winner bet combined with Betfinal’s tournament promotions offers ongoing entertainment across the full seven weeks.
Bet on the World Cup Winner at Betfinal
Bet on the World Cup winner at Betfinal and follow your pick all the way to the Final on 19 July. The $25,000 Leaderboard runs until the Final, meaning every bet you place across the tournament earns points. The number one on the Leaderboard wins $10,000 cash, and losing bets still earn points.
See our full Betfinal World Cup 2026 review or visit Betfinal’s World Cup promotions page for the latest outright winner odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is favourite to win the 2026 World Cup?
Spain and France are co-favourites at around 5.00-6.00 as of early June 2026. England are clearly third at around 7.00-8.00, with Brazil and Argentina heading the chasing pack at 9.00-11.00.
Has the favourite always won the World Cup?
No. Pre-tournament favourites have a mixed record. Since 2006, the team with the shortest pre-tournament odds has won only twice: Spain in 2010 and Argentina in 2022. France won in 2018 at around 7/1. The favourite is the strongest single pick, but value is often found in the next tier of contenders.
What odds do I get if I bet on Morocco to win the World Cup?
Morocco are typically priced at 60.00 or longer. These odds reflect that they are not expected to win, but they still represent a long-shot opportunity. For example, a 1 KWD bet at 60.00 would return 60 KWD if they win the tournament.
When is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The Final takes place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
Can I cash out my World Cup winner bet early?
Cash-out availability depends on the bookmaker or betting platform you use. Some offer partial or full cash-out options depending on live odds movement, while others restrict cash-out on outright winner markets. Always check the specific terms before placing your bet.
Last updated: June 2026
