The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway and although there have been plenty of underdog stories to date, all of the big hitters are on track to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.
This tournament is being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the first ever to be jointly hosted by three nations.
Several nations came into this tournament with a good chance of winning it, and there remains no clear favourite despite a number of eye-catching displays from the likes of Spain, England, and France.
MrFixitsTips takes a look at 2026 World Cup favourites, pointing out their strengths, helping you make an informed decision when you use our best World Cup betting apps.
Spain – Still the team to beat
Despite drawing with Cape Verde during their opening match, Spain remain the team to beat this summer and they proved that with a commanding 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their second match.
La Roja came into the tournament on the back of winning the 2024 European Championship title in dominant fashion, and they have been consistent since then, with Luis de la Fuente leading the side to the Nations League final, where they lost to Portugal on penalties.
What makes Spain particularly dangerous is the balance between youth and experience. Players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Gavi bring energy and creativity, while experienced heads like Rodri and goalkeeper Unai Simon are able to keep things stable when matches become tight.
Verdict: The most complete team in the tournament right now.
Argentina – The defending champions
Argentina are the current world champions, but were not particularly fancied before a ball was kicked this summer. That has all changed now, though, after Lionel Messi's dazzling hat-trick in their opening match against Algeria.
Any doubts about Messi's ability at 38 have been immediately put to bed, and the rest of the team looks as good, if not better, than what they were four years ago in Qatar.
Verdict: Back-to-back triumphs are rare, but not impossible.
France – Talent across the board
France probably have the most talented squad on paper, boasting of stars like Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise in attack.
Led by Didier Deschamps, who has taken them to the finals of the last two World Cup editions in 2018 and 2022, Les Blues have some of the most in-form players across Europe in their team.
Kylian Mbappe is also now widely considered one of the best World Cup players in history, and his two goals against Senegal in the opening match only added to his reputation on the biggest stage.
Verdict: A major contender, especially with Mbappe firing
England – A deep squad that is built to challenge
England are not short of ambition, and the appointment of Thomas Tuchel shows how serious they are about winning this tournament. The squad is packed with talent, from Harry Kane up front to a midfield of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson that can control games against almost anyone.
There is a sense that this generation is ready to take the next step, but Tuchel must find a way to beat the best teams, a major issue Gareth Southgate faced despite going deep in recent tournaments.
England were brilliant for large parts of their opening game against Croatia, and if they can play with that intensity for the rest of the summer, football may finally come home.
Verdict: Strong enough to win it, but still something to prove.
Portugal – A talented squad, but are they being held back?
Portugal have a midfield good enough to win any football tournament, but there are issues at the top of the pitch.
While he is one of the greatest players to ever kick a football, Cristiano Ronaldo is a shell of his former self and is now arguably more of a hindrance than a help to this Portugal side. He was borderline disruptive as Portugal toiled towards a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match, and it's difficult to see him improving.
If Roberto Martinez puts him on the bench, then Portugal's chances will increase. Whether Ronaldo would accept this role is another question altogether.
Verdict: Without Ronaldo, they have a chance
Brazil – Quality with question marks
Brazil do possess quality in key positions, including central midfield and on the wings, but there does still seem to be something missing from the current crop of Selecao players.
After drawing with Morocco in their first match, Brazil then came out on top against Haiti, but their second-half display in that match was hardly inspiring.
One thing they do have on their side is Carlo Ancelotti, one of the greatest cup managers of all time.
Verdict: A dangerous contender, but not the most reliable pick.
Teams that could surprise at the 2026 World Cup
Beyond the main contenders, there are a few sides worth keeping on the radar. While these teams may not be favourites, they have shown enough already to indicate they have the quality to go deep.
The obvious place to start is the USA, who have already booked their place in the round of 32, following two victories over Paraguay and Australia.
The Netherlands have also looked good, and their 5-1 win over Sweden was arguably the best performance from any team at the World Cup so far.
Morocco have impressed in patches so far, and considering they reached the semi-finals in Qatar, they could also go deep this summer.
Cole is a passionate sports writer with a love for storytelling. He covers global sporting events with a focus on insight, accuracy, and engaging analysis. Known for his clear writing style and balanced opinions, Cole brings every headline to life for readers.
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