Bet the World Cup at FanDuel Sportsbook, where new users get $350 in bonus bets after betting $5 for seven days<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\nSoccer Odds to win the World Cup<\/h2>\n
The 2026 World Cup champion will be crowned at MetLife Stadium on July 19, and defending champion Argentina<\/span> is right in the mix of favorites. The usual standout teams are all in strong form, with Spain<\/span>, France<\/span>, England<\/span> and Brazil<\/span> also having a real shot at the coveted World Cup trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe favorites<\/h3>\n
(Odds via FanDuel as of June 18)<\/em><\/p>\nFrance (+400)<\/strong><\/p>\nStar player: Kylian Mbappe<\/span> (Real Madrid<\/span>)<\/strong>
Mbappe has been the key to France’s fortunes since he helped Les Bleus win the 2018 World Cup at age 18. France was back in the final in 2022, and it continues to boast tons of talent. The choices in attack include Ousmane Dembele<\/span>, Michael Olise<\/span>, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola<\/span> and Desire Doue<\/span>, all of whom will be fighting for playing time. The two-time World Cup and Euro winners are third in the FIFA rankings and went 5-1-0 in World Cup qualifying, getting a road draw against Iceland<\/span> when Mbappe was out and they had a 9-2 edge in shots on net. Didier Deschamps’ side has experience and versatility in midfield, and like the other favorites, the only questions are on the back line.<\/p>\nSpain (+500)<\/strong>
Star player:\u00a0Lamine Yamal<\/span>\u00a0(Barcelona<\/span>)<\/strong>
Yamal and\u00a0Pedri<\/span>\u00a0are the goal-scorers, and midfielders\u00a0Rodri<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Martin Zubimendi<\/span>\u00a0make everything happen. The Spaniards are one of the most technically gifted teams in the world. Their deliberate style has been criticized (and costly) at times, but the 18-year-old Yamal has introduced a new element. The teen is already one of the world’s top players and has 14 goals and nine assists in 25 games with Barca in La Liga and has six in 23 international matches. Spain’s only weakness is on the back line, which is made up of players who are struggling at the club level. It is the world’s top-ranked team and reigning European.<\/p>\nEngland (+650)<\/strong>
Star player: Harry Kane<\/span> (Bayern Munich<\/span>)<\/strong>
The Three Lions have the most depth in the tournament from front to back, with most of the stars from the elite English Premier League as well as top world clubs. England has not won the World Cup since 1966 and lost to the Spaniards in the final of Euro 2024. They rank fourth in the world and brought in former Chelsea<\/span> and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel to try to get the most out of the side. Kane is 32 now but has 78 goals in 112 games with the national team and has 31 in 23 matches with Bayern Munich this season. Tuchel’s main task is picking the most effective lineup with stars like Jude Bellingham<\/span>, Phil Foden<\/span>, Cole Palmer<\/span>, Morgan Rogers<\/span> and Bukayo Saka<\/span> just part of the team’s loaded stable of talent.\u00a0<\/p>\nPortugal<\/span>\u00a0(+900)<\/strong>
Star player:\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo<\/span>\u00a0(Al-Nassr)<\/strong>
Cristiano Ronaldo is back for a record sixth World Cup, and the 41-year-old remains supremely fit, though a recent thigh injury could hamper him. He has 960 career goals, most all-time, but manager Roberto\u00a0Martinez<\/span>\u00a0will have a tough decision to make if he isn’t effective. After failing to win the big ones with\u00a0Belgium<\/span>‘s golden generation sides, Martinez has a strong team from front to back. With\u00a0Nuno Mendes<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Ruben Dias<\/span>\u00a0on the back line and\u00a0Vitinha<\/span>,\u00a0Bernardo Silva<\/span>\u00a0and Fernandes in midfield, this team is capable of beating almost anyone. It showed that in winning the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League with a 5-3 victory against Spain on penalties after beating\u00a0Germany<\/span>\u00a0in the semifinals. \u00a0<\/p>\nArgentina (+850)<\/strong>
Star player:\u00a0Lionel Messi<\/span>\u00a0(Inter Miami)<\/strong>
This will be Messi’s swan song, and Argentina comes in ranked second in FIFA’s world rankings. All eyes will be on whether the 38-year-old can lead La Albiceleste to the first back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil won in 1958 and ’62. Messi was the Golden Ball winner in 2022, and goalkeeper\u00a0Emilio Martinez<\/span>\u00a0won the Golden Glove. With stars like Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez and Lautaro\u00a0Mart\u00ednez<\/span>\u00a0on their side, Argentina can be as dangerous as anyone. The defense can be an issue, as the squad allowed three goals in going 3-1-1 in qualifying, with a 4-1 victory against Brazil, a 1-0 loss to\u00a0Ecuador<\/span>\u00a0and a 1-1 draw with\u00a0Colombia<\/span>. Manager Lionel Scaloni will see what young players like\u00a0Valentin Barco<\/span>, Franco Mastantuono and\u00a0Nico Paz<\/span>\u00a0can do. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe contenders<\/h3>\n
Brazil (+1100)<\/strong>
Star player: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)<\/strong>
The five-time champions have seen some upheaval but appear to be gaining stability and rounding into form. Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti took over last summer after two coaching changes, and the Selecao still have the speed and technique they have long displayed. Bruno Guimaraes and\u00a0Casemiro<\/span>, one of the world’s best two-way players, are a stellar midfield tandem.\u00a0Neymar<\/span>\u00a0could be back for one final World Cup, but Brazil will rely more on players like\u00a0Raphinha<\/span>,\u00a0Vinicius<\/span>\u00a0and Estevao. Brazil is the fifth-ranked team in the world and still has all the talent it needs, but it went 3-1-2 in qualifying, with losses to Argentina and Bolivia. Ancelotti has to get them dialed in with friendly matches against the likes of\u00a0Croatia<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Egypt<\/span>\u00a0before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.<\/p>\nGermany (+1600)<\/strong>
Star player: Jamal Musiala<\/span> (Bayern Munich)<\/strong>
There is a ton of talent in the German side, but manager Julian Nagelsmann has his work cut out for him putting it all together. One thing is certain: The side will be disciplined and play strong defense. Die Mannschaft won its final five qualifying matches \u2013 two each against Northern Ireland and Luxembourg and one versus Slovakia. The Germans lost to Slovakia to start things, after losing their final two Nations League games to Spain and France. The status of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen<\/span> (hamstring) is in doubt, so Bayern Munich backup Jonas Urbig<\/span> could get the nod. Veteran players like Musiala, Florian Wirtz<\/span> (Bayer Leverkusen<\/span>), Joshua Kimmich<\/span> (Bayern Munich) and Kai Havertz<\/span> (Arsenal<\/span>) give the Germans a solid chance.<\/p>\nNetherlands<\/span> (+1600)<\/strong>
Star player: Virgil van Dijk<\/span> (Liverpool<\/span>)<\/strong>
The Dutch should play great defense and hope to get timely contributions up front. Van Djik is the captain and can be joined by players like Jurrien Timber, Matthijs de Ligt<\/span>, as well as stalwarts Denzel Dumfries<\/span> and Nathan Ake<\/span> if they are fit at tournament time. Stefan de Vrij<\/span> and Micky van de Ven<\/span> also are options, so the group in front of Bart Verbruggen<\/span> will be stout. Memphis Depay<\/span> is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, and he and 2022 World Cup breakout player Cody Gakpo should pace the attack. With Frenkie de Jong setting things up through the midfield, manager Ronald Koeman brings a versatile and disciplined side to North America. The Oranje rank seventh in the world and didn’t lose a match in the run of play in 2025. They lost on penalties to Spain in the Nations League quarterfinals after their tie produced a pair of draws, and they went 6-2-0 in qualifying, drawing 1-1 twice with Poland<\/span>.\u00a0<\/p>\nNorway<\/span> (+3300)<\/strong>
Star player: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)<\/strong>
Haaland is the best striker in the world, and he is making his debut on the World Cup stage. Norway failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, so it is making its first appearance since reaching the Round of 16 in 1998. The 25-year-old Manchester City star already has 55 goals in just 48 matches for the national team. He has scored 22 in 29 English Premier League matches with City and another eight in 10 Champions League matches this season. He is the show for Norway, but they breezed through qualifying, winning all eight games in a group that included Italy. Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard<\/span> is one of the best goal creators in the world, and Alexander Sorloth<\/span> has 26 goals in 69 matches with Norway across 68 appearances. This team will be a popular dark-horse pick. Some only need the presence of Haaland to feel good about their chances, but Stale Solbakken has the pieces to put a strong starting 11 out every time.<\/p>\nThe longshots<\/h3>\n
Colombia (+4000)<\/strong>
Star player: Luis Diaz<\/span> (Bayern Munich)<\/strong>
The South American side is one of the teams nobody wants to take on. It is well-coached by manager Nestor Lorenzo and is solid through the midfield and steady on the back line. And then there’s D\u00edaz, who has 15 goals and 10 assists in 25 league matches with Bayern Munich this season. Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying to earn its 2026 World Cup spot. The Colombians are regulars at the tournament and reached the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup. James Rodr\u00edguez<\/span>, who won the Golden Boot with six goals at that tournament, remains with the side, and former Tottenham and current Galatasaray<\/span> defender Davinson Sanchez<\/span> holds down a solid back end. Los Cafeteros went 7-7-4 in CONMEBOL’s round-robin qualifying, scoring 28 goals and conceding 18 in the 18 matches. They are 13th in the FIFA world rankings.<\/p>\nUSA (+3500)<\/strong>
Star player: Christian Pulisic<\/span> (AC Milan)<\/strong>
The Americans should feel right at home, and as a co-host, Team USA didn’t face its typical stress and strain to qualify. This is the best attacking team the United States has had in a long time, if not ever. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has players like Pulisic, Weston McKennie<\/span> (Juventus<\/span>) and Folarin Balogun<\/span> (Monaco<\/span>) to lead the way. Sergino Dest<\/span> (PSV Eindhoven) and Antonee Robinson<\/span> (Fulham<\/span>) are strong attacking wing-backs. The 15th-ranked Americans are a strong mix of\u00a0 European club players and the best from MLS. The Stars and Stripes reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002 and have been to the Round of 16 four times (finishing third in 1930). Team USA reached the Gold Cup final last summer, losing to Mexico 2-1 and have recent friendly victories against teams like Japan<\/span> and Australia<\/span>.\u00a0<\/p>\nSenegal<\/span> (+10000)<\/strong><\/p>\nStar player: Sadio Mane<\/span> (Al-Nassr)<\/strong>
Senegal is a seasoned team led by Mane, Nicolas Jackson<\/span>, Kalidou Koulibaly<\/span> and Ismaila Sarr<\/span>, and that is a dangerous group. It won the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory against Morocco<\/span> in January but was forced to forfeit the title after a protest against the referees. Its only loss in its other 16 matches (12-3-1) since the start of 2025 was a 2-0 setback to Brazil in London. Mane is the talisman and had two goals and three assists in his team’s seven AFCON matches. The 33-year-old has seven goals and five assists in 18 Saudi league matches. Jackson has five goals in the eight games where he played 60 minutes or more for Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old typically comes off the bench for the loaded Bundesliga powerhouse.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\nSoccer Past FIFA World Cup winners<\/h2>\n
Germany has the most World Cup final appearances with eight, followed by Brazil with seven, and Italy and Argentina have played for the crown six times. The Netherlands has been a runner-up three times without winning the World Cup, most recently in 2010. Here are the champions, with the years they won the World Cup:<\/p>\n
\n- Brazil:<\/strong> 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002<\/li>\n
- Germany:<\/strong> 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014<\/li>\n
- Italy:<\/strong> 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006<\/li>\n
- Argentina:<\/strong> 1978, 1986, 2022<\/li>\n
- France:<\/strong> 1998, 2018<\/li>\n
- Uruguay<\/span>:<\/strong> 1930, 1950<\/li>\n
- England:<\/strong> 1966<\/li>\n
- Spain:<\/strong> 2010<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Soccer Odds to win World Cup group<\/h2>\n
In group play, each team faces every opponent once, with the highest point totals advancing to the knockout stage. Teams earn two points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.<\/p>\n
The top two in each group advance, along with select third-place teams in 2026, expanding the knockout field to 32 teams. Tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, fair play, and FIFA rankings.<\/p>\n
Here are the groupings, with World Cup tournament odds to win the group (via FanDuel, last updated June 18, 2026):<\/p>\n
Group A<\/h3>\n\n- Mexico (-160)<\/li>\n
- Korea Republic<\/span> (+160)<\/li>\n
- Czechia<\/span>\u00a0(+1700)<\/li>\n
- South Africa<\/span> (+7500)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group B<\/h3>\n\n- Switzerland<\/span> (+105)<\/li>\n
- Canada (+160)<\/li>\n
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (+480)<\/li>\n
- Qatar (+2500)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group C<\/h3>\n\n- Brazil (-155)<\/li>\n
- Morocco (+170)<\/li>\n
- Scotland<\/span> (+600)<\/li>\n
- Haiti<\/span> (+22500)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group D<\/h3>\n\n- USA (-210)<\/li>\n
- Australia (+310)<\/li>\n
- Turkiye<\/span> (+800)<\/li>\n
- Paraguay<\/span> (+3000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group E<\/h3>\n\n- Germany (-290)<\/li>\n
- Ivory Coast (+290)<\/li>\n
- Ecuador (+1800)<\/li>\n
- Cura\u00e7ao (+50000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group F<\/h3>\n\n- Netherlands (+120)<\/li>\n
- Japan (+220)<\/li>\n
- Sweden (+220)<\/li>\n
- Tunisia<\/span> (+8000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group G<\/h3>\n\n- Belgium (-185)<\/li>\n
- Egypt (+250)<\/li>\n
- Iran<\/span> (+700)<\/li>\n
- New Zealand<\/span> (+2000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group H<\/h3>\n\n- Spain (-270)<\/li>\n
- Uruguay (+350)<\/li>\n
- Cabo Verde (+1800)<\/li>\n
- Saudi Arabia<\/span> (+1900)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group I<\/h3>\n\n- France (-320)<\/li>\n
- Norway (+280)<\/li>\n
- Senegal (+4000)<\/li>\n
- Iraq (+30000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group J<\/h3>\n\n- Argentina (-600)<\/li>\n
- Austria<\/span> (+490)<\/li>\n
- Algeria<\/span> (+5000)<\/li>\n
- Jordan<\/span> (+12500)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group K<\/h3>\n\n- Colombia (-120)<\/li>\n
- Portugal (+120)<\/li>\n
- DR Congo<\/span> (+1300)<\/li>\n
- Uzbekistan<\/span> (+12500)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Group L<\/h3>\n\n- England (-1100)<\/li>\n
- Ghana<\/span>\u00a0(+1400)<\/li>\n
- Croatia (+2700)<\/li>\n
- Panama<\/span> (+6000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Soccer World Cup bracket: Knockout stage<\/h2>\n
The top 32 teams from the group stage advance to the knockout stage. The top two teams in each group move on, along with the best eight third-place teams. The match-ups involving the third-place teams depend on which eight qualify. The final 16 contests are elimination matches.<\/p>\n
Soccer World Cup awards odds<\/h2>\n
In addition to the prestige of winning the World Cup, several players will be honored for their individual achievements in the tournament. World Cup odds will be available for the top overall player, leading goal-scorer, best goalkeeper and the young star who makes the biggest impact.<\/p>\n
Golden Boot odds<\/h3>\n
The Golden Boot goes to the tournament’s top goal-scorer. If there is a tie, it goes to the player with the most assists. If that does not resolve the tie, the player with the fewest minutes played gets the nod. France’s Kylian Mbappe was the 2002 winner, and England’s Harry Kane was the 2018 recipient. <\/p>\n
The favorites\u00a0
<\/strong>(Odds via FanDuel)<\/em><\/p>\n\n- Kylian Mbappe (FRA) +300<\/li>\n
- Lionel Messi (ARG) +350<\/li>\n
- Harry Kane (ENG) +350<\/li>\n
- Erling Haaland (NOR) +1200<\/li>\n
- Kai Havertz (GER) +1600<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Other notables: Lamine Yamal (SPA) +4500; Vinicius Jr. (BRA) +4500; Folarin Balogun (USA) +3500.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Golden Ball favorites<\/h3>\n
The Golden Ball goes to the player judged to have the best overall performance \u2013 more or less the most valuable player of the tournament. Argentina’s Lionel Messi has won it twice, including the 2022 tournament. Argentina (three), Brazil (two) and Italy (two) are the only nations with multiple Golden Ball winners since the award became official in 1982. The presumable favorites for this Cup include England’s Harry Kane, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, and France’s Kylian Mbappe.<\/p>\n
Golden Glove odds<\/h3>\n
The Golden Glove is awarded to the tournament’s best goalkeeper, as determined by FIFA’s expert panel. Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez<\/span>, who had three clean sheets, won the award at Qatar 2022 and also should be among the favorites in the 2026 World Cup sportsbook odds. Spain’s Unai Simon and Brazil’s Alisson Becker join Martinez atop the list of likely winners.<\/p>\nFIFA Young Player Award odds<\/h3>\n
Since 2006, FIFA has honored the best player in the tournament under the age of 21. Kylian Mbappe (2018) and Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez<\/span> (2022) are the most recent winners. In addition to being a strong candidate for the Golden Ball, Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal stands out as a likely contender for this award.<\/p>\nSoccer World Cup schedule and key dates<\/h2>\n
The 2026 World Cup field is set after the final playoff games on March 31. World Cup 2026 began on June 11, with Mexico and South Africa playing in the opening game. Here’s a look at the full World Cup schedule.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n| \n Matchday 1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n| \n June 11-17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| \n Matchday 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n| \n June 18-23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| \n Matchday 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n | | |