Outright Tips & Latest Odds for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup kicks off in June, as FIFA are delivering the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams from around competing to be crowned the world's best on the 19th of July.

The reigning World Champions, Argentina, will be hoping to retain their crown in what is largely reported to be Lionel Messi's final tournament for the national side. Teams such as France, Brazil, Germany and European Champions Spain are expected to be amongst the frontrunners for the competition, whilst England look to break their tournament curse with a World Cup triumph 60 years gone from the glory of 1996.

The addition of more teams in the tournament has allowed newcomers Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan to make their first participation in the World's biggest competition and the likes of Norway and Scotland make their return to the World Cup.

Ahead of the World Cup this summer, we have picked out our winner and Outright World Cup Tips for the summer spectacle.

Former champions, France, will be hoping to go one step further in this tournament to claim their fourth crown. Les Bleus last tasted World Cup triumph in 2018 when they beat Croatia in Moscow, 4-2. Didier Deschamps' men then reached the final four years later in Qatar, where they were involved in arguably the greatest World Cup final of all time, only to be beaten 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling six-goal encounter.

In what is reported to be Didier Deschamps last tournament with the National side, amidst reports of Zinedine Zidane waiting in the wings, France enter this tournament as one of the favourites and our choice to go all the way this summer. France, as mentioned, has reached the last two World Cup finals and four of the last seven finals of this competition, winning twice, including their second triumph in 1998, led by Zidane, captained by Deschamps.

The squad available to France sets them apart from the chasing pack. In the attacking areas, you have Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup appearances, and this summer, he could end up being the all-time goalscorer, with the record currently held by Miroslav Klose. The PSG trio of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola are expected to be in excellent form, especially if Luis Enrique's men secure another Champions League triumph. The talents of Michael Olise will be on show following his excellent form for Bayern Munich this season.

In the defensive department, William Saliba is expected to be the marquee standout for France. The Arsenal defender will likely have a Premier League title to his name, as well as a maiden Champions League for the Gunners, should they beat PSG. France's defence will be bolstered by the likes of Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona) and Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal).

France's route to the final could see them face Germany, the Netherlands, and then Spain in the semi-finals, the latter being a repeat of the European Championships semi-final. A possible final against Argentina should see Les Bleus claim revenge for 2022.

England enters another international tournament, with this year hopefully being the one that ends a 60-year drought for an international triumph, during which time the likes of Greece have matched the Three Lions' trophy tally.

England is under new management for the World Cup with the appointment of former Chelsea and Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel. Gareth Southgate had navigated England through their most successful period since 1966, reaching two European Championship finals (one on foreign soil) and a World Cup semi-final, which they lost to Croatia in 2018. Now the appointment of a proven winner in Tuchel is expected to lead England over the line, especially since it's now 60 years since Bobby Moore lifted the coveted Jules Rimet Trophy.

The Three Lions' chances will solely rest on the shoulders of prolific Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane. Kane, who is in contention for the Balon d'Or, has broken multiple records in Germany and is on course for his best season from a trophy perspective with the Bundesliga and a potential DFB Pokal for the former Tottenham Hotspur man. Kane has a great opportunity to become England's highest-ever goalscorer at the World Cup, currently held by Gary Lineker (9).

In the Euros in 2024, there was a heated debate around England's midfield options or lack of, but this time around, Thomas Tuchel has a welcome headache of choosing from a plethora of options. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will be the mainstays in the England team, whilst Elliot Anderson and a late surge from Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo have provided Tuchel a selection dilemma every manager would dream of.

England have the squad to go deep into the competition, and if they were to win the World Cup, a route involving Mexico (R16), Brazil (QF), Argentina (SF) & Spain (F) is the likely route to success.

Here are the latest odds provided by bet365 on who will win the 2026 World Cup:

• Spain - 9/2
• France - 5/1
• England - 6/1
• Brazil - 8/1
• Argentina - 8/1
• Portugal - 11/1
• Germany - 12/1
• Netherlands - 20/1
• Norway - 25/1

As ever, the coverage for the World Cup will be provided on free-to-air TV through BBC and ITV services throughout.

All attention will be on England's and Scotland's games during this tournament, with the following dates below for each team's games:

England:

• England vs Croatia - Wednesday June 17, Dallas, 9pm (UK time)
• England vs Ghana - Tuesday June 23, Boston, 9pm (UK time)
• Panama vs England - Saturday June 27, New York-New Jersey, 10pm (UK time)

Scotland:

• Haiti vs Scotland - Sunday June 14, Boston, 2am (UK time)
• Scotland vs Morocco - Friday June 19, Boston, 11pm (UK time)
• Scotland vs Brazil - Wednesday June 24, Miami, 11pm (UK time)