France rated second favourites for World Cup by Opta supercomputer | OneFootball

France have been identified as the second favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup according to predictions generated by Opta’s supercomputer ahead of the tournament.

With just over a week remaining until the competition gets underway, Opta has run 10,000 simulations to determine the most likely outcomes. The results place Didier Deschamps’ side among the leading contenders to lift the trophy in what will be the France manager’s final tournament in charge of Les Bleus.

According to the projections, France have a 13% chance of winning the World Cup, ranking only behind Spain, who top the list with a 16.1% probability. England complete the podium with an 11.2% chance of success, while defending champions Argentina sit fourth on 10.4%.

Interestingly, Opta’s model suggests that France are less likely than Spain or Argentina to finish top of their group. However, Les Bleus’ chances improve significantly in the knockout stages, with the supercomputer giving them a 21% probability of reaching the final.

The tournament could also produce a historic winner. Opta estimates there is a 35.9% chance that a nation will lift the World Cup for the first time.

Among the African representatives, Morocco are viewed as the continent’s strongest contenders, ranking 12th overall with a 1.9% chance of winning the tournament. Senegal are 19th in the rankings with a 1% probability.

The host nations are not expected to challenge for the title. Opta gives United States a 1.2% chance of lifting the trophy, while Mexico are credited with 1%. Canada are given less than a 1% chance of becoming world champions on home soil.

GFFN | George Boxall