Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup in the ninth minute, Mexico running out 2-0 winners over South Africa in a chaotic opener that featured three red cards. With 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time, reaching the final requires at least six consecutive wins – and the competition is as deep as it has ever been.
Spain lead the World Cup winner betting market as the group stage gets under way. Their case is strong, but in a tournament this size strong cases can unravel quickly. Here are the nations best placed to go all the way.
Spain
Spain won Euro 2024 without losing a match. Their press-and-possess approach remains the hardest system to handle at international level, and they’ve shown the ability to win big matches in tight circumstances as well as in dominant fashion. Their game plan looks the most suited to the demands of a long tournament. They’re in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay – a draw that should give them a smooth start.
France
France were runners-up in 2022, losing on penalties to Argentina after fighting back from two goals down in the final. Their attack is among the best in world football, and they’ve shown the capacity to compete in finals even when not at their peak. Consistency across seven matches is where they’ve historically come unstuck. If that changes here, they’re the team most likely to challenge Spain.
England
England reached the European Championship final in both 2021 and 2024, but their World Cup record has been less convincing – a quarter-final exit in 2022 ended their run in Qatar. They’ve drawn a favourable group, with Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L. Thomas Tuchel’s squad has the depth to compete deep into this tournament. Whether they can find that level in the knockout rounds, where England have historically found it hardest, is the bigger test.
Brazil
Brazil haven’t won the World Cup since 2002. That 24-year wait has become part of what makes the tournament compelling for neutral supporters. They’re in Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, and are expected to progress comfortably. The squad is well-equipped to go deep into the knockouts. How much the burden of expectation affects them, as it has done before, remains the hardest variable to account for.
Argentina
The defending champions. Argentina won in Qatar in 2022, ending a 36-year wait, and arrive in North America looking to retain a trophy that only Brazil have successfully defended – in 1958 and 1962. Group J pairs them with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Their squad has aged since Qatar, but the core players who delivered that win four years ago are still there.
Portugal
Portugal have built one of the better international squads of the last decade without translating it into a World Cup run of note. A quarter-final exit in 2022 was the latest near-miss. Group K – Congo DR, Uzbekistan and Colombia – gives them every chance of a deep run. This tournament may be the best opportunity the current generation gets.
The group stage runs until June 27. With 48 teams and 104 matches to play before a winner is crowned on July 19, the football betting market will look very different in a fortnight. The first results are already in.
