The Favorites to Win the 2026 World Cup

The next time the world’s international teams reconvene will be on the cusp of the biggest World Cup since the competition’s inception.

For the first time in history, 48 countries will compete to be crowned world champions this summer, FIFA’s expansion offering unprecedented opportunities to less storied national teams across the globe.

However, when push comes to shove in North America, the same cast will be vying for the trophy. European and South American powerhouses will dominate the competition, duking it out for the ultimate glory.

With that in mind, here is Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the 10 top favorites for the World Cup.

10. Norway

Where there’s Erling Haaland, there’s hope. | Image Photo Agency/Getty Images

Despite reaching its first World Cup this century, Norway has already entered the conversation as the competition’s ‘dark horse’. That’s chiefly down to the presence of Erling Haaland, who can single-handedly fire the Scandinavians deep into the tournament with the help of Martin Ødegaard, but a perfect qualification campaign that included two thumping wins over Italy has enhanced its reputation.

Norway has plenty of other weapons in its arsenal, too. Alexander Sørloth and Jørgen Strand Larsen can ease the goalscoring burden on Haaland, while the likes of Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Julian Ryerson provide quality elsewhere on the pitch.

Of course, many ‘dark horses’ have floundered at previous World Cups, and Norway’s lack of tournament knowhow could prove a major stumbling block, but attacking weapons will put fear in all adversaries.

9. Colombia

Colombia celebrate — Colombia are always competitive. | Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Defeats to Croatia and France during the March international break has knocked Colombia’s confidence slightly, but Néstor Lorenzo’s men could still spring some surprises at the tournament. It finished third during qualifying and managed some impressive results, having already reached the 2024 Copa América final.

Colombia boasts the typical South American determination and grit that makes the continent’s nations feared on the world stage, with a sprinkling of superstar talent ensuring it’s more than just industrious. Luis Díaz is the main protagonist, entering this summer’s tournament off the back of an extraordinary debut season with Bayern Munich.

What Norway lacks in World Cup pedigree, Colombia possesses after knockout-phase runs in 2014 and 2018. Unfortunately, it was unable to qualify in 2022, but will be seeking to make up for lost time this summer.

8. Germany

Germany players celebrate — Germany is no longer the force it once was. | Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

Germany used to enter every World Cup among the absolute favorites to win, but its decline since triumphing at the 2014 tournament means expectations have been justifiably tempered. Quality is abundant across Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, but influence has undeniably waned.

Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala carry with them the bulk of the creative burden, while Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rüdiger are expected to lead by example defensively, but Germany still misses the presence of former greats Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer.

An unpredictable force from match to match, Germany has the potential to leave its mark on this summer’s festival of soccer. Whether it can achieve that ambition is less certain.

7. Netherlands

The Netherlands players celebrate — The Netherlands is searching for its first world title. | Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto/Getty Images.

Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Dennis Bergkamp and Arjen Robben are just a handful of the legendary Dutchmen to have never won the World Cup. In fact, the Netherlands has still never triumphed in the competition despite its widespread influence on global soccer and three runner-up finishes, the current crop aiming to make history this summer.

Ronald Koeman, another Oranje icon who never laid hands on the trophy, leads the Netherlands in the dugout. Despite concerns over his acumen, he was able to facilitate a semifinal run at Euro 2024. Going further at the World Cup seems fairly improbable, but certainly not beyond possibility.

An incredible roster boasts immense defensive talent and a suave midfield, although question marks persist over the efficiency of the Dutch forward line. Still, it knows it can beat anybody on its day, self-confidence seldom an issue for the Oranje.

6. Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo will naturally steal the majority of attention in discussions over Portugal ahead of the tournament, yet it’s those around the veteran striker who will prove the difference if Roberto Martínez’s side is to clinch a first world title in North America.

The likes of Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes are more likely to be the decisive forces for Portugal, the quality of their performances in conjunction with an array of talented compatriots critical to success. Portugal certainly has the roster to etch its name into soccer folklore.

Much like the Netherlands with Koeman, question marks remain over the manager, Martínez having failed to sparkle with a golden generation of Belgian players at past tournaments. However, expectations remain high for the Euro 2016 victors as Ronaldo hunts a fitting end to an illustrious international career.

5. England

We’ve been here time and time before with England. The team is once again considered among the leading contenders for the title—60 years on from its first and only World Cup triumph—but major doubts over ability to go all the way surfaced during the March international break.

Uninspiring performances during a draw with Uruguay and defeat to Japan have left a sour taste, Thomas Tuchel’s pragmatism potentially shackling England’s raft of superstar forwards. A team with Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane should not be playing drab soccer.

However, it’s worth remembering that England was perfect in qualifying, the defensive record particularly impressive. The Three Lions have also reached the last two European Championship finals and made the final fourat the 2018 World Cup—experience of going deep into tournaments is no longer an issue.

4. Brazil

Brazil goal — Brazil has an array of attacking talent. | Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images.

Brazil, much like Germany and the Netherlands, is no longer quite the powerhouse it once was during the glorious days of past eras forged by the likes of Pelé, Zico, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo. However, the team is still stacked with attacking talent, Vinicius Junior the poster boy alongside fellow forwards João Pedro, Matheus Cunha and Raphinha.

The difference for Brazil this year after disappointing recent campaigns is the manager: Carlo Ancelotti. One of the all-time greats, the former Real Madrid coach has the capacity to propel the Seleção to a record-extending sixth world title this summer, especially considering his knockout record.

There remain concerns over this Brazil team, who have weak spots for sure, but few nations can lay claim to more raw talent than the South Americans. Winning the trophy would hardly be a seismic shock.

3. Argentina

Lionel Messi. — Lionel Messi could lead Argentina to its fourth World Cup title. | Luis Robay/AFP/Getty Images

Reigning world champions Argentina must be among the favorites for the prize, even if no nation has retained the World Cup since La Albiceleste’s fierce rivals Brazil in 1962. With Lionel Messi still dazzling for his country, one would be brave to bet against Argentina matching the feat this summer.

Lionel Scaloni’s roster boasts the skill and continuity to allow Argentina to push for back-to-back titles, with the core of the team that triumphed in Qatar still heading to North America. An epic qualification campaign that saw it top CONMEBOL’s standings has further boosted hopes.

Argentina has flaws, like every team in the competition, but it has lost just once since the beginning of 2025 and is brimming with belief. Few will be surprised if Messi lifts the trophy aloft come the conclusion of July’s final.

2. Spain

Spain players celebrate — The reigning European champions are formidable foes. | GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/AFP/Getty Images

Spain’s status as European champions ensures a fearsome international reputation. Luis de la Fuente has cultivated an extraordinary squad laced with talent, flair and tenacity, and there are very few weaknesses in a well-rounded team that boasts as much depth as it does quality.

Spain hasn’t lost in 90 minutes since being beaten by Colombia in March 2024, La Roja not accustomed to defeat. That bodes well for the brutality of knockout soccer, the Europeans confident in the knowledge that they have won a major tournament with this current crop of players.

Spain’s swashbuckling midfield could be the difference, Pedri, Rodri and Martín Zubiemndi arguably the greatest triumvirate in international soccer, while a solid defensive line and the presence of the relentlessly brilliant Lamine Yamal will leave opponents quaking in their boots.

1. France

Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé — France’s squad is the envy of all. | FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

The top three contenders for this summer’s tournament are somewhat interchangeable, but we’re tipping France for the trophy. In Didier Deschamps’s final tournament as head coach, Les Bleus are seeking a third world title, and revenge for heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in 2022.

France undoubtedly boasts the deepest and most naturally gifted roster of all 48 World Cup qualifiers, its attacking quality standing out in particular. Kylian Mbappé is the talisman, but Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Hugo Ekitiké, Rayan Cherki and 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will offer the Real Madrid striker support.

An indefatigable midfield and watertight defense all but guarantees a run to the latter stages of the competition, and a third successive final appearance is firmly on the cards. France could prove simply too powerful for any competitor in North America.

The Favorites to Win the 2026 World Cup—Ranked