With the 2026 World Cup expanding to 48 teams, the tournament offers more betting opportunities and potential shocks. Spain lead the odds at 9/2, followed by France, England, Brazil and reigning champions Argentina. However, each-way betting on outsiders could yield value, with half the stake on the team to win and half on them to reach the final. Place terms vary by bookmaker, so checking conditions is advised.
Germany, at 14/1, are seventh favourites despite being four-time champions. After group-stage exits in the last two World Cups, they reached the semi-finals in the previous four, winning in 2014. Their squad blends experience—Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger, Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane—with young talents like Jamal Musiala, Maximilian Beier and Florian Wirtz. A relatively easy group (Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador) could build early momentum.
Morocco, Africa Cup of Nations champions, are 50/1 outsiders after reaching the 2022 semi-finals. They beat Belgium, Canada, Portugal and Spain on penalties in Qatar, showing adaptability. Drawn in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland, they could face Japan or Sweden as group winners, or the Netherlands as runners-up. Their success in Qatar's humidity suggests conditions in North America will not hinder them.
Mexico, hosting the tournament for the third time, have reached the quarter-finals on both previous occasions (1970 and 1986). Coach Javier Aguirre, in his third spell, has won the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup. In Group A with South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic, all group matches are at home. Mexico are unbeaten in seven matches, including draws with Portugal and Belgium and wins over Iceland, Ghana and Australia.
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