World Cup 2026: Winners predicted as holders Argentina defend title in USA, Canada, Mexico tournament Football News

For example, if Netherlands finish second in Group F – not inconceivable as they face decent opposition in Japan, Sweden and Tunisia – they would then have to play the winners of Group C – most likely Brazil – in the round of 32. Five-time winners Brazil are the only side to qualify for every edition of the World Cup, though the Seleção cut things a little too fine this time around, finishing fifth in CONMEBOL’s qualifiers. Ronaldo and his great rival Messi will make history this summer when they appear, becoming the first players to participate in six separate World Cups.

African Nations to Watch in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

A battle for second place ought to be far more exciting, with Iran likely to put Egypt’s credentials to the test after a decent group-stage campaign in Qatar. Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat. They fared slightly better with our model than the other first-timers Curaçao and Jordan (both 0.04%). If previous World Cups are anything to go by, shocks and surprises should be a given, so all those teams will still be dreaming of a deep run.

Who has qualified for the Round of 32 so far? (As of June 27, 06:00 GMT)

I’m taking a risk on Jordan to claim a knockout place and Algeria edging out Austria in an upset as one of the top third-place teams to advance to the Round of 32. I’ll take Ivory Coast’s finishing to narrowly edge Ecuador for second, though I still expect Ecuador to advance as one of the best third‑place teams. Group D centers on the battle between Turkiye and the United States. The recent form and questions on formation under Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. raises concern, while Turkiye’s balance and presence of Hakan Calhanoglu give them the slight edge to win the group. Australia and Paraguay are organized enough to earn draws but remain long shots to advance ahead of the two favorites. I’m taking Czechia and Mexico to advance, with South Korea finishing as one of the best third‑place teams behind Son Heung-Min.

World Cup Bracket Breakdown: Predicting Every Round from Group Stage to Final

• Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally).
• The first 48–team field in World Cup history has been filed down to 32 for the knockout stages.
• Before the biggest FIFA tournament ever kicks off, some predictions are in order.
• They’ve been excellent in this tournament, and Sweden’s attack-oriented mindset is generally a less effective strategy for pulling off an upset than Paraguay’s more defensive stance.
• Those teams round out the top 10 favourites, with Belgium next with a 1.9% probability.
• It can be important to look at historical matchups like England vs Germany for example, and where the results over the years may indicate which team might win the upcoming game.
• On top of those nations, Brazil, Germany, and many other countries can also have a big part to play in the 2026 World Cup too in what is expected to be an enthralling tournament.
• At age 40, Croatia’s Luka Modrić will be back for a fifth World Cup, assuming he recovers from cheekbone surgery in time.
• See here for an overview of which teams got luckiest and unluckiest based on where they slotted into the bracket.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams — the largest in tournament history.
• We have analyzed 64 matches across 48 teams in the World Cup 2026, achieving a best-tip accuracy of over 71.9%.
• None of the three co-hosts are favorites, but all three reached the knockouts and all three have a real story to tell.
• Brazil’s 5-title history matters less than their last 3 tournaments.
• Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of recording their first-ever World Cup victory, while the probability of them earning a maiden World Cup point stands at 12.6 percent.

Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside. DR Congo clinched its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and with that, the nation was rewarded with England. Three Lions have had a tumultuous and injury-riddled group stage, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad should still come out on top.

For Lionel Messi and company, this is the start of their title defence in earnest. For Cape Verde and manager Rui Aguas, simply reaching this stage has already rewritten what is possible for African football’s smaller nations, and anything further would be a genuine shock to the tournament bracket. Outright odds for the World Cup are decided based on numerous factors and considerations from bookmakers, such as team strength, form through qualifiers, performance against big nations, among other things. Moreover, with international tournaments and matches being played so sparingly, being able to get over the line and win trophies can play a huge role in deciding the winners of major tournaments like the World Cup. While powerhouse nations like France, Argentina and Spain remain favorites, the expanded format creates more room for upsets, dark horses and unexpected runs that can completely reshape the bracket.

Portugal went out to France at the next stage, as Ronaldo ended the tournament without a goal from 23 shots and 3.6 xG – the second-highest tally at the competition. Deschamps also lifted the trophy as a player when he was captain in 1998 and this will be Kylian Mbappé’s first World Cup as France skipper. If Spain are to triumph, it is likely Lamine Yamal will play a key role. Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final.

World Cup betting: Odds for every knockout stage team to win it all

Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia. Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind. Norway will be the team nobody wishes to draw from Pot 3, having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with a perfect eight wins and 37 goals – the most of any team.

Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket. Simulate or predict every match of the 48-team tournament — group stage through the final. All 72 group stage matches covered with win probability data, banker tips, accumulator strategy, and African kick-off times. This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo. France have stumbled before, most notably conceding three goals in the 2022 final.

• These two traditional European heavyweights have a rich shared history on the international stage.
• The expanded format introduces 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage, making it the biggest World Cup in history with 104 total matches played across 16 iconic venues.
• Looking ahead all the way to the final, two teams stand out from the crowd.
• He just scores goals – 61 of them to be precise this season – and this summer he looks to be heading into the tournament in peak physical condition.
• But most of the favourites are set, with Lionel Messi hoping to help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown.
• Belgium vs Best 3rd place Group A/E/H/I/J – Perhaps freeing themselves from the shackles of their trophyless ‘golden generation’ is exactly what Belgium needed to unlock their full potential.
• Cape Verde are a 19/1 shot to cause one of the tournament’s great upsets.
• These teams last met in Oct. 2025 in which Japan won for the first time in 14 matches versus the Brazilians.

Group L: Croatia vs England Clash Tops Competitive Final Group

Our World Cup 2026 betting guide has all of the latest information on the match. Ismael Saibari, who is set to make the move to Bayern Munich this summer, has scored three times in three appearances at the 2026 World Cup and will again lead the line. Netherlands could meet a Germany or a France in the final eight, fifa world cup 2026 start date and their performances thus far have suggested that a potential challenge for the trophy is possible. Netherlands topped Group F with seven points to breeze into the round of 32, while Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil, also claiming seven points from three games. While our percentages have not proven overly kind to them, we should be clear that just reaching the tournament is a spectacular accomplishment.

Qualified: World Cup 2026 teams already through to the knockout stage

Bosnia enter confidently after knocking out Italy and looks talented enough to win this group as long as Edin Dzeko can stay on the pitch at 40 years old. The Bosnian legend didn’t miss a minute in the playoffs against Wales and Italy despite injuring his shoulder. Switzerland’s experience and defensive structure should see them through comfortably, as well. Despite being co‑hosts, Canada remain difficult to trust due to inconsistency in group play, and a lack of high-end talent to get them past better teams. Even at home in the 2022 World Cup, Qatar still couldn’t get a point and they’ll likely struggle to do so again.

Our free AI tip for Belgium vs Senegal — home team wins or draw, with 89% confidence. Our AI football predictions go far beyond World Cup 2026 matches, covering more than 160 competitions worldwide. In addition to the top eight favourites, there are two other teams given at least a 2% chance of winning the World Cup – Norway (2.3%) and Colombia (2.0%). The Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), and they are the eighth and final team assigned more than a 5% chance of triumphing next year, at 5.2%.

Who will win the World Cup?

Then again, Harry Kane scored freely across Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at times playing in a deeper role than usual. This group appears straightforward, with Brazil and Morocco standing out as the strongest sides. Brazil has elite talent, though their depth remains a concern following long-term injuries to Estevao and Rodrygo months before the tournament starts. I’m giving Morocco the edge to win the group due to their cohesion and leadership from Achraf Hakimi, as well as difference‑makers like Ez Abde.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

For the co-hosts, Canada sits lowest in the rankings at 0.47%, with Mexico up at 1.81%. The USMNT leads the way once again at 2.45%, but there are 10 teams seen as more likely winners. All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world. Just 18 years old, he is tipped to be the young player of the tournament and already has the ability to spearhead his team to World Cup glory.

Betting Tips: How to Read and Use World Cup Predictions

This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting match, and we have found it difficult to pick a winner here. Netherlands have been impressive this summer, but we are expecting Morocco to record a 2-1 victory in order to progress to the round of 16. Morocco have never won the World Cup, but they did reach the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament, which represented their best-ever run in the competition. Morocco, meanwhile, picked up seven points from their three games in Group C to finish second, only behind Brazil on goal difference.

Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar. Germany are overdue a strong result, and the supercomputer gives them a decent chance of achieving that, as they were finalists in 10.6% of sims. And the 38-year-old has continued to post stunning MLS numbers for Inter Miami over recent seasons as he prepares to lead his nation. With Messi complemented by two high-profile strikers still in their prime, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez, Argentina should not be short of goals. The striker is already the record goalscorer for England and has remained a pivotal figure for Tuchel, under whom the early returns have been strong. France have reached the final in four of the last seven editions – twice as often as any other nation during that period – and it would be a surprise if they were not there or thereabouts once again.

This matchup delivers a final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark. Portugal’s depth and momentum give them the edge, and I see them pulling off the upset to reach their first World Cup final.

What are the predictions for Panama vs England?

Main Pick – Argentina to Win @ 1/6Argentina have won all five of their recent matches and scored nine goals in three World Cup group fixtures. Cape Verde’s resilient defensive record is notable but was built against opposition that did not carry the same individual quality Argentina bring. At this price the match result offers no value in isolation, so the play is to combine it with a goals line.

Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions, four years on from Lionel Messi’s long-awaited crowning moment, and as the all-time great prepares for his last dance on this stage. Stephen Eustaquio’s late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the co-hosts, with head coach Jesse Marsch telling his players they had become “Canadian heroes” and inspired the next generation of footballers. Ronald Koeman’s side won 47.6 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Morocco progressed in 25.0 percent. The remaining 27.4 percent of simulations were level after 90 minutes, sending the match to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.

Japan and Sweden are well organized but lack the elite experience needed to challenge the Dutch. I like Japan’s technical depth to edge Sweden for second, but they can still qualify to the next round as a top third-place team, with Tunisia finishing at the bottom. I like Bosnia to top the group, with Switzerland following and Canada advancing as a top third‑place finisher. Teams can survive the group stage without being dominant, adding a new level of strategy and scoreboard-watching. Each 4-team group sends 2 teams automatically plus 8 of the 12 third-placed teams to R32.

Play-Off Hopefuls

Bosnia’s effort and organization should not be overlooked, but overcoming a Portuguese side featuring players like Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes would require something exceptional. Should the United States advance to the Round of 16, it’s going to take some of their best performances of the past decade, maybe ever. Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun have had moments at the club level, but that’s never been extended to the national team. Argentina, meanwhile, remain built for high-pressure knockout matches and possess an edge in composure and quality. Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario.

• Argentina are expected to win this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie comfortably, with Messi in prolific form having scored six goals in the group stage and Lautaro Martinez adding further firepower.
• The Netherlands enter as a world‑class side looking to make a statement.
• At this price the match result offers no value in isolation, so the play is to combine it with a goals line.
• Deschamps’ reign has comprised 175 games, so if they reach the first knockout round, he will have overseen 100 games more than France’s next-longest serving boss (Raymond Domenech, 79).
• The recent form and questions on formation under Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. raises concern, while Turkiye’s balance and presence of Hakan Calhanoglu give them the slight edge to win the group.
• The Netherlands have the kind of balanced squad that often outperforms its pre-tournament odds.
• The Sporting News is tracking the favourites to win and best betting offers including 50/1 for a goal to be scored in England vs. Congo and 40/1 for Harry Kane to have a shot in the match.
• There have also been stirring underdog stories, with minnow Cape Verde qualifying as Group H runners-up behind European champions Spain, and Iran similarly going through the round-robin phase undefeated against the odds.
• Still, football rarely follows a script, and a single moment can change everything.
• Debutants Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of two-time champions Uruguay, who were eliminated.
• While 47 countries won the tournament at least once in our sims overall, for the teams rated 25-48, a successful tournament would realistically constitute emerging from their groups.
• Emerging teams from Africa and Asia could challenge traditional powerhouses, especially under the new format.
• Emiliano Martinez is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, with the back four expected to feature Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico as full-backs alongside Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero in central defence.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 nations and the first hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format introduces 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage, making it the biggest World Cup in history with 104 total matches played across 16 iconic venues. Looking ahead, many World Cup 2026 predictions point toward a final involving two European or South American giants. France and Brazil are often mentioned as likely finalists due to their squad depth and consistency in recent matches. Argentina remains a serious contender, especially if key players stay fit. England could also reach the final if their young squad maintains its current trajectory.

His squad have a 22.1% hope of making the last four, at which stage few would want to face them. Only one other nation – the outright favorites Spain – are likelier to win their pool than the reigning champions, with a favourable Group J draw pitting them against Austria, Algeria and Jordan. Man City midfielder Rodri is fit again and set to captain the team, while Yamal’s team-mate, striker Ferran Torres, is coming off an impressive campaign for title winners Barça. Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino were among Spain’s star performers in qualifying.

We say: Germany 2-1 Paraguay

Before a ball has been kicked, Scotland’s likeliest result is seen as elimination in the round of 32. They made it out of their group two-thirds of the time (66.1%), and a last-16 berth is a realistic objective, as this was achieved at a rate of 24.4%. Canada also just make it into the top half of the 48 teams (they rank joint 22nd, level with Paraguay and Austria). There are two other potentially pivotal group clashes to circle on your calendar by the time we reach MD3, as France take on Norway in Foxborough on 26 June, while Colombia battle Portugal in Miami a day later.

Supercomputer Predicts 2026 World Cup Winner After Group Stage Concludes

Below are all of the confirmed matches for the Round of 32, with the schedule for when they are played and a prediction on each game. The 2026 World Cup will be the broadest, most competitive, and most logistically complex tournament ever staged. Picking a winner is harder than it has ever been, and that’s precisely what makes the build-up so compelling. Whatever your predictions, the only certainty is that we’ll all be surprised by something.

Brazil, Germany, Netherlands Ready For A Supercharged Round Of 32 Slate

• But time and again, they flatter to deceive on this stage, and the sight of them hanging on against Iran should give Australia plenty of encouragement.
• Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark.
• Predictions cover Final Result, Under/Over, Both Teams to Score, Correct Score, xG, Corners, and Ball Possession.
• He’s guided Les Bleus to two consecutive finals in FIFA’s quadrennial tournament, winning it all in 2018 and coming up heartbreakingly short four years ago in a penalty-shootout loss to Argentina.
• Meanwhile, European soccer insider Martin Green has also revealed picks for Ivory Coast vs. Norway and Sweden vs. France.
• He is the front-runner for the 2026 Golden Boot, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland the closest challengers.
• La Roja swept all before them, winning six of their seven matches inside 90 minutes and only requiring extra-time to eliminate hosts Germany in the quarter-final.
• Goals Market – Over 3 Goals @ 6/5The totals line sits at 3, with over available at 6/5 and under at 4/5.
• There is something quite romantic about one of the godfathers of management being appointed by the most famous footballing country to bring home the greatest prize in football for a record-extending sixth time.
• Ancelotti is armed with attacking talent, having opted to select record goalscorer Neymar in addition to stars like Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.
• Should the United States advance to the Round of 16, it’s going to take some of their best performances of the past decade, maybe ever.
• But by the time next year’s tournament rolls around, it will have been 12 years since Germany played a knockout game at a World Cup.
• The final is on July 19, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which holds about 82,500 fans.

None of the South American powerhouses have been overly convincing in recent times, but you’d have to guess that if the winner were to come from outside Europe, Argentina and Brazil would be favourites. What a story it would be if, at 41-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo matches his arch rival Lionel Messi by helping Portugal to a first-ever World Cup this summer. The Argentina ace’s supporters have been able to play a trump card whenever the debate about the two modern-day icons has been had since Messi’s heroics in Qatar. Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent of simulations, while the draw was given a 25.2 percent probability. A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K.

• Compare World Cup betting odds now with our recommended betting sites and find the latest prices for teams to win the tournament.
• The 2026 World Cup will be the broadest, most competitive, and most logistically complex tournament ever staged.
• Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday 5 December, the Opta supercomputer has produced its early predictions for this summer’s tournament in North America.
• Two of the all-time greats are poised to be the first men to play in six World Cups.
• They are more likely than not (52.0%) to get as far as the last 16 and have a healthy 24.2% chance of making the last eight.
• In our pick ’em for the World Cup, users select who they think will win each of the 12 groups ahead of the tournament’s first game on Thursday.
• There should be plenty of service for Harry Kane, who is Europe’s most in-form striker, netting 24 goals in 20 matches for Bayern Munich since the start of the season in August.
• Mexico failed to reach the knockout stage at the 2022 World Cup, having previously seen a Round of 16 exit every tournament from 1994 to 2018.

Belgium are coming down the other side of the mountain, with just a few key figures remaining from their “golden generation”. Forever less than the sum of their parts, they feel ripe to be the victims of a banner night for U.S. soccer. Egypt, Mohamed Salah and all, should have more than enough to do the job here.

Despite sitting a point behind Ghana in Group L, Croatia are clear favourites to claim victory, according to the Opta supercomputer. Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, and Ivory Coast are all set to feature in the tournament and could find a way to cause major upsets and book a spot in the latter rounds. Our site ensures you have the latest predictions for the World Cup 2026, including qualifiers, and encourages you to make smarter betting decisions with analytical research going into each and every projection we provide.

World Cup 2026 bracket: Latest Round of 32 results

• This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting match, and we have found it difficult to pick a winner here.
• La Roja have a greater than one-in-three chance (39.0%) of reaching the semis and made the final 25.6% of the time.
• Norway have nothing to lose and can hurt Brazil, but they have a defence that Vinicius and company can exploit enough times to progress.
• Argentina are right behind them, on the opposite side of the bracket.
• From the oldest coach in World Cup history to Lionel Messi’s and Kylian Mbappé’s chase for the all-time World Cup scoring record, history will likely be made this summer.
• While our percentages have not proven overly kind to them, we should be clear that just reaching the tournament is a spectacular accomplishment.
• Haaland struck 16 of those goals, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.
• They’ve consistently found ways to advance deep into tournaments, and that experience matters.
• 1960Tips.com has been the trusted destination for free football predictions, expert VIP picks, and sports betting analysis since 2017.
• Senegal remain a dangerous dark horse, while Norway and Erling Haaland could disrupt the group.
• Behind the top three, a cluster of European nations all carry realistic hopes.
• Bosnia enter confidently after knocking out Italy and looks talented enough to win this group as long as Edin Dzeko can stay on the pitch at 40 years old.
• Argentina vs United States – The US crashed out at this juncture in the last tournament staged on their soil, and history looks set to repeat itself against the reigning champions.

Switzerland pipped Canada to win Group B. Colombia won Group K ahead of Portugal, the only group favorite not to finish top. Croatia recovered to take second in England’s group, pushing Ghana to a third-place spot. Use the World Cup 2026 Simulator to pick every tie and build your own bracket. Tap a contender to see its group run and knockout path, then lock in your pick. Squad depth will matter more than ever, as the schedule becomes tighter and physically demanding.

This promises to be one of the most evenly matched ties of the Round of 32. Ivory Coast has the physicality and midfield quality to frustrate Norway, but the Scandinavian side’s clinical finishing and attacking firepower could ultimately prove decisive. Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on topping Group E after surrendering a lead against Germany, but their overall performances have underlined why they are being tipped as one of the tournament’s surprise packages. A confident victory over Curaçao on Matchday 3 showcased both their defensive organisation and attacking threat. Norway, meanwhile, is making its first World Cup appearance since France 1998 and has looked every bit like a dangerous dark horse.

World Cup Golden Boot Odds: Full Player List

The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces the most dramatic format change in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams and creating a brand-new bracket structure that reshapes how every round unfolds. With more nations, an added knockout round, and third-place teams advancing, predicting the full tournament path is more complex, and more intriguing, than ever. France lead our World Cup 2026 predictions after winning the toughest group in the tournament, and we are calling a France vs Argentina final on July 19, a rematch of the 2022 showpiece. Norway are the dark horse, and Lionel Messi heads the Golden Boot race after becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer.

World Cup Round of 32: Knockout rounds begin with Canada taking on South Africa

They have topped their first-round pool in every World Cup since 1982 and have a 60.4% chance of winning Group C. Of course, they were famously crowned world champions in South Africa – but that 2010 success also represents the only time they have reached the semi-finals from their last 14 participations. They made it to the UEFA Nations League final – where it took a penalty shootout for Portugal to beat them – and eased through qualification, topping Türkiye to go unbeaten across six games.

With the World Soccer Ticket, fans get access to top leagues, live TV, and streaming — all in one place — so you never miss the action. There are no major injury concerns for either side, with both managers expected to field their strongest available lineups. Both nations are chasing a place in the last 16, but only one will keep their World Cup dream alive. Some links to betting partners or promotional offers on MyFootballFacts may result in a commission to help support our site. These include betting offers, free bets, and casino promotions as well as other affiliate commissions —all subject to change and individual terms and conditions. The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has come to a close and it’s full steam ahead into the round of 32.

Scorer Market – Lautaro Martinez to Score AnytimeLautaro Martinez has scored once in the tournament and registered five goals across Argentina’s last five matches in all competitions. With Messi drawing defensive attention and Julian Alvarez providing the running, Martinez is regularly afforded space inside the area and is one of the most reliable penalty-box finishers in this Argentina squad. He is worth including in any anytime scorer selections at the best available price. Argentina’s World Cup 2026 campaign has been a demonstration of controlled authority.

• France, with their deeper, lavishly gifted squad, can gain revenge as the fresher of the two over this slog of a tournament.
• I’m taking Senegal to secure the needed points, though Norway could still advance as a top third‑place team if they score multiple goals against Iraq.
• From animals to colors to local cultural symbols, every team (except one) has a special moniker that’s specific to their nation.
• For the first time, 48 nations will compete to lift the World Cup trophy in an expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada across 16 stadiums.
• Our initial forecasts are based on a best guess of the starting lineups of all 48 squads; we’ll update these estimates if there are prominent injuries.
• A rampant Kane scored an astonishing 61 club goals across all competitions (64 if you also include the Club World Cup) and finished the season in fine style with two consecutive hat-tricks.
• Argentina scored at least three goals in each of their three group games, and Cape Verde’s forward line managed only two goals across theirs.
• Gustavo Alfaro’s team will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Australia, while their one success this summer was a 1-0 victory over Turkey.
• Here is how the leading contenders stack up as the knockouts begin.
• Picking a winner is harder than it has ever been, and that’s precisely what makes the build-up so compelling.
• With the Round of 32 underway and this 48-team field wide open, we will update these picks after every round.

But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals. But by the time next year’s tournament rolls around, it will have been 12 years since Germany played a knockout game at a World Cup. The only one other team assigned more than a one-in-10 chance of becoming world champions is England, who are out to end 60 years of hurt at major tournaments. Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps. Sixteen venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico will play host to the biggest-ever edition of the tournament, with the number of teams increasing from 32 and 48 and the tally of games upped from 64 to 104.

They are given a 47.8% chance of topping Group A, which also contains South Korea and Czechia. Netherlands (3.6%) and Norway (3.5%) rank highest in terms of possible World Cup winners. The issue for both is they will first have to negotiate their way through difficult groups and, if they don’t finish top in the initial stage, that could hinder them with a tougher path to the final. Ancelotti is armed with attacking talent, having opted to select record goalscorer Neymar in addition to stars like Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.