The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be one like no other.
Three countries will host the competition for the first time. And in another first, there will be 48 nations competing, instead of the 32-team format that has been in place since 1998.
The extra nations competing means the total number of games played will increase from 64 to 104. And any team that makes it to the last four of the competition will play eight matches, compared to seven in previous competitions.
The qualification period takes place from September 2023 to 31st March 2026. 206 nations from six confederations will be competing for the remaining 45 places, with the USA, Canada, and Mexico already guaranteed three spaces as host nations.
Furthermore, Mexico will become the first country to ever host or co-host three World Cups. It will be the second time the competition has been in the USA in 32 years, and it will be the first time Canada has ever hosted the event.
The 2026 World Cup will also return to its traditional Northern Hemisphere summer schedule, after being held in November and December in the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Despite being the defending champions, Argentina are currently not the favorites to win again in 2026 with the Vegas Soccer World Cup Betting Sites.
Spain and France lead the betting. Both nations are +600.
The Spanish won the 2024 European Championships, beating England 2-1 in the final.
Under the legendary Didier Deschamps, the French have made it to the previous two FIFA World Cup finals.
France won the 2018 edition, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final. They came agonizingly close to winning again in Qatar four years later. A 4-2 penalty shootout defeat saw Lionel Messi instead lead his Argentina team to their third tournament win.
England and Brazil are the joint third favorites at +650. Only then do we get to Argentina, who are +1000 to defend the trophy.
Other notable mentions go to 2014 winners Germany (+1000), Portugal (+1600), Netherlands (+2000), and Belgium (+3300). The USMNT is +5000, with fellow hosts Mexico at +6600, and Canada at +15000.
| Nation |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| France | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| England | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Brazil | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Argentina | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Germany | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Portugal | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Netherlands | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Italy | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Belgium | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Uruguay | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Columbia | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| USA | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Mexico | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Croatia | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Denmark | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Norway | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Morocco | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Japan | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Switzerland | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Serbia | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Canada | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
As the 2024 European Championships progressed, it became very obvious that the Spanish were by far the best team in the competition.
Their team is young and will be two years more experienced when they arrive in North America. The only thing that might prevent them from winning is the lack of a goal scorer.
Alvaro Morata led the line at Euro 2024. He’s never been the most prolific scorer, and he has hinted that the Euros may have been his last tournament due to a lack of respect from fans and media in his home nation.
There is no obvious replacement for Morata, who will be 33 when the World Cup takes place.
France is a team that can’t be underestimated. They have squad depth that is the envy of the world, with top-quality players unable to even get one cap.
With Kylian Mbappe leading the line, they know they have one of the top strikers in world soccer. The French also know how to go deep into competitions, having reached the last two finals.
England always gets a mention ahead of big tournaments. They have been competitive in the latter stages of major competitions since 2018.
The English have a talent pool of players to choose from that most nations would love to have. But no one has been able to find the right combination to get them over the finishing line.
Furthermore, England captain Harry Kane will be 32 in 2026. During the Euros in 2024, he looked more like a 42-year-old. Kane was very slow and off the pace. The chances are he will be even slower in 2026.
Brazil will also be confident. The Seleção Canarinho won the competition the last time it was held in North America. They will also have forwards like Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo entering the prime of their careers when the tournament comes around.
Holding them back could be the aging members of the squad such as Casemiro and Marquinhos.
A bit like England with Harry Kane, does Argentina stick with Lionel Messi? There is still no official word on whether the great man plans to play in 2026.
If he wants to play, the chances are Messi will be granted his wish. But it remains to be seen if he would still be a force at the world level and his presence could be more of a hindrance.
Younger strikers like Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez will be in their prime in 2026. If he is given the chance to flourish, he could be a contender to win the Golden Boot and fire Argentina to back-to-back world crowns.
The best soccer betting sites have made Spain and France their favorites for a reason.
We find it slightly surprising that both aren’t shorter odds given the quality both teams and their squads possess.
At +600, they are both worth backing at this early stage.
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