2026 FIFA World Cup Preview: Picks, Predictions and Future Bets
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Tue May 12, 2026, 3:40 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
FIFA World Cup
After a long four year wait, the FIFA World Cup finally returns. Technically speaking, we didn't wait a full four years, as the 2022 World Cup was played in Qatar during November and December, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in 16 cities across North America during the months of June and July. Regardless, we finally have some intense, competitive international soccer to wager on, so let's check out our 2026 FIFA World Cup Preview. This piece will be full of picks, predictions and futures.
2026 FIFA World Cup Betting Odds
Pedri and Spain won the 2024 EURO. Can they win their first World Cup since 2010?
Let's start by checking out the betting odds to win the entire tournament, along with some other fun bets.
Odds courtesy of our lovely sponsors at Lucky Rebel Sportsbook.
Odds to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
- France +475
- Spain +475
- England +750
- Brazil +800
- Argentina +850
- Portugal +1000
- Germany +1500
- Netherlands +2200
- Norway +3300
- Colombia +4000
- Belgium +4500
- Japan +4500
Listed here are the top 12 countries on the odds board to win the entire FIFA World Cup. It is HIGHLY likely that the winner is in the top 10, or even the top eight, but you can't doubt all the long shots. Some other notable teams worth mentioning are priced below.
- United States +6500
- Mexico +7500
- Canada +20000
Sorry to our host countries. All three of them should make it out of group stage, but I do not see any of them making the quarterfinals. However, Lucky Rebel hosts an intriguing prop bet for those interested.
2026 FIFA World Cup Winning Continent
- Europe -375
- South America +300
- Rest of the World +1000
Personally, I don't think this is worth betting. Nobody wants to pay -375 for the top continent. Plus, the only two South American continents I see winning it would be Brazil and Argentina. Some quick math lets you know that you'd be better off splitting a unit on both of them to win the whole thing, rather than placing a full unit on South America to be the winning continent. One unit at +300 nets you three, while two half unit sprinkles on +800 and +850 would net you either 3.5 or 3.75 after subtracting whichever bet loses. Sure, there are other countries that could make a run (Colombia, Uruguay), but I don't see them going the distance.
Harry Kane and England have not made the World Cup Final since winning back in 1966
Odds to Win the Golden Ball (Top Goal Scorer)
- Harry Kane (England) +700
- Lamine Yamal (Spain) +800
- Kylian Mbappe (France) +1000
- Michael Olise (France) +1000
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) +1400
- Vini Jr. (Brazil) +2000
- Raphinha (Brazil) +2000
Listed here are the top seven on the odds board, and the reason I cut it off there is because the next 10 players are all listed at +2500. Those players include: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Rodri (Spain), Pedri (Spain), Rayan Cherki (France), Ousmane Dembele (France), Declan Rice (England), Jude Bellingham (England), Vitinha (Portugal), Erling Haaland (Norway) and Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain).
You might notice, a certain Portuguese player is not listed in the top 17 on the betting board. Cristiano Ronaldo, in his ripe age of 41 years old, is listed at +3500 to win the Golden Ball. I do not think he is worth a bet, and neither do the books as they have two of his teammates listed ahead of him.
When picking a Golden Ball Winner, here is my thought process. Obviously you want someone who plays on a team that will make a run. Therefore, sorry Erling Haaland, I do not think you are worth the coin. You also want a player who won't have his teammates vulture goals from him. With that in mind, most French players are off the table for me, considering several are listed towards the top of the odds board.
But enough teasing, let's get into the picks.
2026 FIFA World Cup Picks and Predictions
Can Ousmane Dembele and France make a third straight World Cup Final?
I have decided to lay futures with three different squads, and get ready to swallow some chalk.
Best Bets to Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- France +475
- Spain +475
- England +750
Do your line shopping as always, as I have found both Spain and France at 5-1, with England at +750 being the best odds available (to me).
Spain is coming off a EURO 2024 victory, beating France in the semifinals and England in the final match. This team was a lot younger during the 2022 World Cup, hence why they lost to Morocco in the Round of 16. Since then, they have grown up, matured, and only gotten better, giving me faith in them making a deep run as they look for their first World Cup title since 2010.
As for France, the talent cannot be denied. After winning the World Cup in 2018, they went right back to the final in 2022, losing to Messi and Argentina in penalty kicks. On paper, France has the strongest attack of any country, and their defense only allowed more than one goal in the final match last tournament.
And lastly, the Brits. England made the 2024 EURO Final, losing to Spain, and lost to France in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Harry Kane is still kicking it up top for the English, but my problem with them is their defense. The biggest question will be whether or not the back line can hold strong against some of the foes they will face.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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