Spain, France Or England? The Favourites For The 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, is now just over a month away from getting underway. Amidst all the complaints about ticket prices, hotels, and travel costs, which in truth is a valid complaint given the staggering rise in prices, it will soon be time for the football to do the talking.

Hopefully, you would think that FIFA and the United States have learned from the mistakes of the Club World Cup, where prices were ridiculously high. Of course, clubs in the Club World Cup do not have the same nationwide support as international teams. Hopefully, FIFA lowers ticket prices to allow stadiums to be full and for the football atmosphere to truly be felt across the three host countries.

As we grow closer to the tournament, in this piece, we take a look at who the bookmakers think are the favourites heading into the competition.

Spain

The favourites heading into the tournament are the European champions, Spain. Spain last won the World Cup back in 2010. This time around, managed by Luis de la Fuente, they once again look like strong contenders, especially with the talent they possess throughout the squad.

With players such as Lamine Yamel, Rodri and Pedri, the Spanish have several match winners capable of changing a game regardless of the situation. One of the most exciting sides to watch during the 2024 Euros was Spain, and while the best footballing side does not always go on to win a competition, they put that theory to bed in 2024

Their exciting, attacking, possession-based style of play saw them deservedly lift the trophy and has made them one of the favourites heading into the World Cup.

Their form during World Cup qualification saw them win five of their six matches, only dropping points in a draw against Turkey in Seville on the final matchday. Since then, they have played two friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, winning one and drawing one.

However, the March international break was a strange one for many nations, with several players dropping out and teams not having full preparation time. Spain now prepare for the World Cup with fixtures against Iraq and Peru before getting their campaign underway against Cape Verde in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 15th of June.

France

The second favourites heading into the World Cup, per similar sites to football betting at 7bet, are 2022 finalists and 2018 winners France, managed by Didier Deschamps, which will surely be his final spell as France coach. Like Spain, they were relatively solid during qualification, winning five of their six matches, only being held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in Reykjavik.

Since then, they have played friendlies in the United States as they prepare for a World Cup hosted across North America, earning victories over both Brazil and Colombia. Their squad is filled with star talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, and Rayan Cherki, just to name a few. There is plenty of talent throughout the squad, but it will be about finding the right balance.

However, France have the experience and know-how to reach finals, having done so in each of the previous two World Cups. Their preparations continue with fixtures against the Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland before they head to New Jersey to face Senegal in their opening World Cup match.

England

For Thomas Tuchel and England, it was a very impressive qualification campaign, as they did exactly what was expected of them.

From eight matches, having played two more than France and Spain due to not being involved in the Nations League playoff finals, England won all eight games in a group featuring Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra. They scored 22 goals and did not concede once in the process. At the end of the day, you can only beat the sides put in front of you. Just look at Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups. England, however, did their job professionally and efficiently.

Their latest set of friendlies against Uruguay and Japan were probably a little frustrating for Tuchel, especially with England failing to win either match. However, the squad was also missing several players who will likely feature at the World Cup, including Declan Rice, Reece James, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Adam Wharton, and Bukayo Saka through ‘injury’.

England now prepare for the World Cup with fixtures against New Zealand and Costa Rica in the United States before their opener against Croatia on the 17th of June.

The Three Lions come into the tournament as third favourites, having reached back-to-back European Championship finals. However, their last World Cup outing in Qatar ended in defeat to France in a match many England supporters still feel they should have won. Since then, Gareth Southgate has departed, with serial winner Thomas Tuchel brought in as his replacement.

The big question now is whether he can handle the pressure that comes with managing England at a World Cup. Only time will tell.