With the qualifying campaign entering the closing stages, we decided to post our early World Cup 2026 power rankings.
This list will be updated throughout the build-up to next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well as during the finals.
An expanded competition will see 48 teams take part, but these are our top 10 contenders to lift the trophy with their World Cup 2026 outright winner odds.
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Top 10 Teams Most Likely to Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Ranked
10. Belgium
10. BELGIUM @ 33/1
Italy will be desperate to make up for the national disgrace of not qualifying in 2018 and 2022, while nobody will underestimate Norway if Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Co. make it through, but they just miss out in favour of Belgium's golden generation enjoying a notable last dance.
Will Belgium’s “Golden Generation” finally deliver on the biggest stage — or is it one tournament too late?
After finishing third in 2018, the Red Devils suffered an early exit last time, but Rudi Garcia appears to have got them going again, and Kevin De Bruyne could yet lead this talented bunch of thirtysomethings to a glorious swansong.
9. Uruguay
9. URUGUAY @ 25/1
It is obviously a long time since La Celeste ruled the world in the inaugural tournament in 1930 and then again in 1950, but there were promising signs in finishing third at the 2024 Copa America and in qualifying for this competition.
Can Bielsa’s high-energy football inspire Uruguay to another shock World Cup run?
Under the guidance of legendary head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay took four points off Brazil and beat Argentina 2-0 away, and they have a couple of inspirational leaders on the pitch as well in Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde.
8. Portugal
8. PORTUGAL @ 11/1
It hasn't quite happened for Portugal at major events since their 2016 European Championship success, but a Nations League triumph should boost confidence in a camp packed with proven performers at the highest level in club football.
Are Portugal still too reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo heading into 2026?
Cristiano Ronaldo may now be in his 40s, but he still scored against Germany in the semis and Spain in the decider, while Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva provide great experience in midfield as well.
7. Germany
7. GERMANY @ 10/1
Die Mannschaft have plenty to prove after twice failing to get through the group stage since lifting the trophy for a fourth time in 2014, but there were better signs at Euro 2024, when they impressed until an extra-time loss to Spain at the last-eight stage.
Will Julian Nagelsmann’s youth revolution bring Germany back to the top?
Young head coach Julian Nagelsmann has brought fresh energy to a typically athletic squad, but there are still question marks over whether Germany have enough star quality to challenge for top honours.
6. Netherlands
6. NETHERLANDS @ 20/1
Holland have quietly put together a couple of solid efforts in reaching the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, when only losing on penalties against eventual champions Argentina, and the Euro 2024 semis.
Could this finally be the tournament where the Netherlands break their World Cup curse?
The Dutch had two entertaining draws with Spain in the Nations League knockout stage before more shoot-out misery, and benefit from having a powerful spine, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay surrounded by other strong characters connected with leading European clubs.
5. Brazil
5. BRAZIL @ 13/2
Many will see the Samba Stars as being priced up as third favourites in the World Cup 2026 odds on reputation rather than recent evidence, with Brazil only making it past the quarter-finals once since the last of their five outright triumphs in 2002 – and they ultimately finished a poor fourth on home turf in 2014.
Things started brightly in 2022, and there was no disgrace in going out on penalties to Croatia, but more is needed from a squad lacking the invincible aura of past eras following a moderate qualifying campaign.
Are Brazil genuine World Cup contenders again — or living on past glory?
Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo should be at the peak of their powers, though, and nobody can discount the enigmatic Neymar making a big impact, while the appointment of serial winner Carlo Ancelotti as head coach is another major plus point.
4. Argentina
4. ARGENTINA @ 8/1
Lionel Messi led the defending champions to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar, and they have also come out on top in the last two renewals of Copa America, so that winning habit could be hard to break.
Argentina were runaway table toppers in the South American qualifying section, prevailing in both games against Brazil thanks to a 1-0 Rio success and a 4-1 romp in Buenos Aires.
Can Argentina go back-to-back with a 39-year-old Messi leading the charge?
Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday during this tournament, but there are plenty of younger legs around to feed off his incredible experience and creative genius.
3. England
3. ENGLAND @ 13/2
The Three Lions had a series of near-misses at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate, being runners-up at the last two European Championships and reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, so the big question is whether Thomas Tuchel can now get them over the line.
England again qualified in impressive fashion, with a 5-0 away win over Serbia the stand-out performance, and prolific marksman Harry Kane will once more be the focal point of an exciting forward line.
Will Thomas Tuchel be the man to finally bring football home for England?
With talented individuals like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon vying for the chance to support their skipper, everything is in place for another bold showing.
2. France
2. FRANCE @ 6/1
Les Bleus went agonisingly close to becoming the first back-to-back World Cup winners for 60 years when only going down in a shoot-out against Argentina in Qatar.
Superstar players usually come to the fore on the biggest stage, and Kylian Mbappe did just that with a hat-trick that day to claim individual Golden Boot glory, so as a 27-year-old next summer, there is every chance he could take the tournament by storm.
Is Kylian Mbappé destined to lift the World Cup as captain in 2026?
With Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele backing him up, disciplined boss Didier Deschamps still at the helm to keep everyone in check, and an experienced defence possessing strength in depth, there are few chinks in France's armour.
1. Spain
1. SPAIN @ 4/1
La Roja have shown in the past that they thrive on confidence, winning the 2010 World Cup in between a couple of European Championship triumphs, so they will be hoping success breeds success again after going all the way at Euro 2024.
Spain went unbeaten throughout that tournament, beating hosts Germany in extra-time before seeing off France and England in the closing stages, which gives that form a rock-solid feel.
Are Spain unstoppable after their Euro 2024 triumph?
Luis de la Fuente's men made an early statement of intent in qualifying via a 6-0 rout of Turkey on the road, and this settled squad is strong in all departments, setting the standard for others to aim at.
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