FIFA World Cup 2026: favourites and bookmakers odds

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the main football event of the year. This summer, teams from all six continents will compete in a group stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Underdogs will challenge stronger teams, top teams will face each other, and new participants will start their tournament journey. On betting sites like 1xBet, you can find World Cup odds and different betting options for the tournament.

New extended format of the championship

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will start on 11 June, and the final is scheduled for 19 July. This year, the championship has an expanded format with 48 teams, instead of 32 teams as it was in 2022 in Qatar. This larger World Cup will have more teams, more matches and more options for betting. In particular, the expanded group stage this summer means more possible outcomes than previous tournaments.

In the FIFA World Cup 2026, the teams are divided into 12 groups. Eight out of the 12 third-place teams will also move on, as well as with the group winners and runners-up. As a result, the odds for top teams like Spain, Brazil and France to qualify might be too low for a good return on investment. Therefore, this makes the Group Winner market a more interesting choice.

FIFA WC 2026 Odds: main favourites to watch

The main favourites in the 2026 World Cup are Spain, thanks to their ability to blend talented players into a cohesive team game, England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, France, Brazil and Argentina. The fact Portugal are outside the main favourites could provide an enticing opportunity for big winnings. Traditionally leading teams that have won World Cups in the past are expected to be at the top, but new teams and underdogs will also aim for success in the expanded tournament. Chances of winning, as well as the odds offered by bookmakers like on 1xbet Omani website and other platforms, depend on factors such as team quality, recent results, qualifying results and potential paths in the knockout stages.

In addition, key players could make a big difference this summer. Lamine Yamal, Spain’s brilliant Barcelona forward, is a player to watch. Ousmane Dembélé from France, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, is also expected to shine. Harry Kane, coming off the back of a prolific season for Bayern Municy, is a contender for the Golden Boot, together with Kylian Mbappé and other players, who will play in their first World Cup.

Here are the main 2026 World Cup favourites, based on current odds:

How do betting odds on the World Cup work?

World Cup betting odds show the likelihood of different results in the tournament. They allow bettors to understand the chances of each option. Bookmakers create these odds using a mix of statistics, past performance and other current information. As the tournament goes on, the odds can change quickly.

Different types of odds

There are three main formats for odds that you can see in World Cup betting:

1. Decimal Odds. They are common in Europe and globally, and these odds show your total payout, including your initial bet. For example, if the odds for a selected match are 5.00 and you bet $10, in this case, your return will be $50.
2. Moneyline. These odds types are popular in the U.S. They show your potential winnings with plus (+) and minus (-) signs based on a $100 bet. A minus sign (-) means the favourite and it shows how much you must bet to win $100. A plus sign (+) shows the underdog and it shows how much profit you can make with your $100 bet.
3. Fractional Odds. This format is popular in the UK and Ireland, and this type of odds show your profit compared to your stake. For example, if you see odds of 6/1, a $10 bet may give you a $60 profit plus your original $10 stake. As a result you can quickly spot good bets.

Bookmakers usually show odds in several formats, and users often choose decimal odds, because they are easy to understand.

Expected probability

Implied probability shows how likely bookmakers consider a certain outcome, converting betting odds into a percentage. For example, to find implied probability from decimal odds, use this formula: Implied Probability = 1 / Decimal Odds.

For example, if the decimal odds are 5.00, it means there is a 20% chance of the event happening. You can also convert fractional odds into decimal form to use the same method. To find potential value bets, compare your predictions and expectations with the implied probability provided by the bookmaker.

World Cup 2026 tips for bettors

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest football event in the world, where teams from different countries will compete in many matches. There will be many online betting options, including mobile betting on smartphones and tablets. To make better predictions about the matches, you can use these helpful strategies: 

• Look at how the teams have performed in the past. 
• Keep up with the fitness of key players. 
• Think about the strategies each team uses. 
• Know the team lineups. 
• Consider the importance of each match. 

With this approach, you can analyse different matches during the 2026 World Cup and make wiser wagers. Many betting platforms also offer features, such as real-time notifications and live statistics. Remember to bet responsibly and set limits for yourself on time and money spent online.