Who’s Hot Ahead Of The 2026 World Cup? | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now just a matter of weeks away. As the tournament edges closer, everyone is trying to get into the best shape possible to allow themselves to hit the ground running in North America. But with every player, and nation by default, doing the same, who’s looking good ahead of the showpiece event?

Spain Remain The Team To Beat

There’s been no change where football betting online is concerned; Spain remains the team to beat at the 2026 World Cup. Not only are they the reigning 2024 Euros champions, but they also have a squad packed full of players who are performing well for their clubs. With a large handful of Barcelona stars expected to feature in their World Cup squad, including the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal, these players are on course to win La Liga before attempting to win world football’s biggest prize.

France Are Out To Avenge Their 2022 Final Defeat

France made it all the way to the final at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, but unfortunately lost in a penalty shootout against Argentina. This will give them the motivation to succeed that no other nation enters the tournament with. Like Spain, the French squad is loaded with talented players who are enjoying great seasons with their clubs. Stars from PSG, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, such as Ousmane Dembele, Dayot Upamecano and Rayan Cherki, will arrive in North America with silverware already secured, and Didier Deschamps’ group can only benefit from their winning mentality.

Harry Kane Can’t Stop Scoring

The best World Cup betting odds see Harry Kane as the joint frontrunner to be top scorer at the upcoming tournament, and it’s easy to see why this is the case. Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, will lead the line for England in what is likely his final appearance at the World Cup finals. The great news for the Three Lions is that he’s been in blistering goalscoring form all season for Bayern Munich, firing them to another title. With a stunning 51 goals scored in just 43 games, if he can take his magic touch in front of goal into the World Cup, England have a real chance of success.

Mbappe Looking To Fire France To Success

The player who Harry Kane is neck and neck with in the betting to be named the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup is France captain and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe. Like Kane, Mbappe is a proven goal-getter on the world stage after scoring the most goals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he bagged a stunning hat-trick in the final against Argentina and still ended up as a runner-up. That disappointment, and the frustration of the 2025/26 season with Real Madrid, will drive him on. His record of 40 goals in 39 appearances proves he’s close to his very best.

Conclusion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be another very interesting tournament. The expanded format is already creating a sense of intrigue, and there are nations and players who will head to North America with a real point to prove. And there’s no better stage to prove a point on than the biggest in world football.