2026 World Cup Odds: It Will Be England's Time

We may have just finished a men's World Cup cycle with Argentina winning it in late 2022, but the 2026 tournament is top of mind thanks to the Women's tournament.

Who's got the best odds for the men's tournament in three years' time?

2026 FIFA World Cup Odds

Odds as of August 3

2026 World Cup Favorites: France

With a World Cup title in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, the French should never be discounted in the early portion of tournament handicapping.

Don't forget Kylian Mbappe will only be ~26 years old for the next tournament, meaning the French phenom will be at the peak of his powers. Just to remind you that Mbappe already has 12 goals in 14 World Cup games over his career. 

With the French's pedigree and with the biggest star in the game on their side, oddsmakers should France's chances to win in 2026.

2026 World Cup Odds Value Picks

We know the French are the early favorite to win the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. But what sides are some value plays?

Spain +1000

The Spanish were the fourth youngest side at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. With an average age of 25.6, only Ecuador, the US and Ghana were younger. By 2026, guys like Gavi and Pedri will still be quite young and much better than they are now.

At 17, Gavi is already a first-team regular for Barcelona. The Catalan side started him in 30 matches this past season as they went on to win La Liga. 

Pedri, also playing for Barcelona, started in 22 matches this season, scoring six times and creating 0.22 xG per 90 during the year. 

Both are young stars playing pivotal roles for one of the biggest clubs in the world. And they're only teens. With their continued development along with some solid veterans like Manchester City defender Rodri and Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio, Spain could easily take a massive step forward in their program and win the 2026 World Cup. 

They're already getting used to that whole winning feeling after taking the 2022 UEFA Nations League.

SPAIN HAS WON THE 2023 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE! 🏆🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/oDuWALaYzU

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2023

England +700

I like backing youth when trying to project a World Cup winner three years out. The Spanish were one of the youngest sides in the tournament and will only get better by 2026. The same goes for England. 

At 26.5 the English average age was a bit more advanced than Spain's but it was still only the eighth youngest side in the tournament. 

Jude Bellingham, who made the move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, was only 18 in Qatar. He started every match for the Three Lions, scoring a goal and assisting another. Big things are expected of the young man from the West Midlands.

🌪️ They can’t stop him!

Jude Bellingham scored a great goal in training with Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/L8jfallfIX

— Reyi (@Reinaldodcg9) July 14, 2023

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka was only 20 and scored three goals in four matches. At club level this year he put up an incredible 14 goals and 11 assists. Both Saka and Bellingham are going to be at their peaks when 2026 rolls around. 

And we can't forget that England has other stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice and Phil Foden, who were only 22-23 years old in Qatar. 

England was outdone by France in the quarter-finals in 2022, even though they were the better team with 66% of the shots, 58% of possession and 73% of the expected goals. In three years, this young, but incredibly talented side could easily walk their way to the Finals.

Last 10 World Cup Winners

Brazil was dominant through three full cycles between 1994 and 2002 with two championships and a runner-up medal, dropping the 1998 World Cup final to France 3-0.

West Germany saw an equally strong run between 1982 and 1990, winning one championship (1990) and finishing as the runner-up in 1982 and 1986.

And how about Argentina bookending the last 10 tournaments with wins in 2022 and 1986?