The 2026 World Cup is just months away, and the excitement around the tournament is massive around the world, including Africa. This isn’t surprising as 48 teams will be competing for the gold-plated trophy across three different countries. Although the tournament hasn’t started yet, the experts at MightyTips have put forward some nations as the favorites to lift the trophy.
While pure football fans will fancy watching every minute of this tournament, fans with a knack for betting will be looking for how to enjoy the event and make some money by predicting related matches. If you’re in the latter set and in an African country like Nigeria, Congo or South Africa, you might be wondering what platform will fit your betting needs to a T.
To steer clear of this confusion, experts recommend reading reviews of the top bookies on platforms like https://www.mightytips.com/bookmakers/africa-betting-sites/. According to Kate Richardson, a betting expert and tipster at MightyTips, consulting reviews and guides can guide bettors to choose sportsbooks with competitive odds on football events, generous bonuses, user-friendly layouts, and seamless transactions.
So, all you’ve got to do is check out each platform closely and go with the one that tickles your fancy the most.
Now, let’s take a look at the nations from the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that’ll most likely win the competition as called by the experts at MightyTips.
2026 FIFA World Cup Favorites: Ranking the Teams Likely to Win the 2026 World Cup
World Cup 2026 will be historic as it’ll be held in three different countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. If you want to know where exactly matches will be played, check out the official list of host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
Not only that, this competition will be the first of its kind to feature 48 teams. Previous formats had just 32 nations in the mix. This increased participation will result in more matches.
Next year’s World Cup will have 104 matches; in the 2022 event at Qatar, only 64 matches were played. But there’s a question. What nations are likely to win next year’s tourney? Although you can use the world rankings as a starting point, it’s vital to note that success in this tournament requires more than a team’s performance during the regular season.
You see, there will be different World Cup groups. This will see nations play against sides they’ve never met in a professional football match. So, teams’ progression all through the tournament will be impacted. However, the betting experts at MightyTips have revealed a list of likely winners. Here they are:
England
The Three Lions will be going to the World Cup with their hopes up after strong and consistent performances in Euro 2024. England boasts of a squad that combines seasoned veterans and young talents. Their ranking among European teams has been in the top five, meaning they’ve got the quality needed to triumph over opponents without issues.
In October 2024, England hired Thomas Tuchel as coach. He’s famous for using tactics that led Chelsea to major tournament wins. If Tuchel can bring out the best of players such as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, he could steer the team towards their first World Cup victory since 1966.
Argentina
Defending world champions Argentina heads into this tournament as one of the clear favorites. This isn’t just because they won the last tourney held in Qatar in 2022. It’s because the team has remained brilliant in the years following it. After their global triumph, they won the 2024 Copa America trophy. They also finished in the top spot of their WC qualifying group.
That said, this will be the last World Cup for Lionel Messi. So, it’s expected that he’ll do all he can alongside his comrades (think Lautaro Martinez, Julián Alvarez, Àngel Di Maria, and Emiliano Martinez) to win the gold-plated trophy once more. The South American side will be led into this tournament by Lionel Scaloni. Lionel’s greatness as a coach comes from being calm under pressure and his ability to make the right calls when push comes to shove.
He also admits that playing for Argentina isn’t a mean feat: “When you play for Argentina, that grrr, those nerves, that adrenaline, is always there. That never changes, whether it’s Guatemala or the World Cup.”
As such, he and all Argentine players will bring their A-game to the competition to have the best chance of winning it.
Spain
Spain made a statement at Euro 2024. By clinching the title, that young team showed that they have what it takes to win at the top level. With the team being led by young superstar Lamine Yamal (who will be making his World Cup debut), the La Roja mixes youthful energy and tactical greatness. Their possession-themed play also makes them a threat during all stages of a match.
While possession remains the team’s strong point, coach Luis De La Fuente has also ensured that the team remains sharp in the final third. What’s more? Spain has the best players from some of the top leagues in the world. Their experience will be useful as they hope to win the World Cup.
France
France is a likely winner of every competition they find themselves in. Les Blues won the tournament in 2018 and reached the World Cup finals in 2022. Didier Deschamps is still their coach, and is known for his tactical brilliance and being able to stabilize a dressing room filled with top talents.
France has won two world titles in their history. A major reason for this is due to their squad depth, something that’s still in the mix till date. They’ve got two to three players perfect for almost every position. This allows them to play well even with injuries.
Their squad also features match-changing players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé and William Saliba. If France’s defense and offense can play as a unit, they’ve got the power to go all the way in next summer’s tournament.
Portugal
The Portugal national team is still in transition. As old players retire, new and talented players are joining the mix. But that doesn’t downplay the fact that the team remains dangerous.
They’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo; although he’s aging, his contributions can never be overemphasized. For context, he led the team to Euro 2016 victory and just recently, his presence saw the team defeat Spain in the Nations League Final.
Portugal has qualified for every World Cup edition since 2002; this shows just how consistent they’ve been in the qualifiers. Roberto Martinez will lead the team into the tournament as coach. If he employs the right tactics, the team could go past the group stage and head into the knockout rounds. And with the side known for getting lucky in those pivotal stages, they’ve got a chance to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Netherlands
The Netherlands are known for producing talented players that play great football. Their current roster includes top-tier players such as Virgil Van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Xavi Simons, and Memphis Depay. They’re great in international competitions. For context, they reached the 2023 Nations League final and quarter finals at the 2022 World Cup.
While Netherlands might not rank among the top favorites, their experience in major international competitions make them dangerous opponents. If their top and fringe players put in a shift during this tournament, they could qualify for the World Cup’s knockout stages and win the big title.
Germany
It was Gary Lineker who once said: “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.”
Although English, Lineker couldn’t hide the fact that Germany is a top football nation.
With emerging stars like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala leading a new generation, Germany is currently in the rebuilding stage after several disappointing results over the years.
The head coach, Julian Nagelsmann is known for making young players play at their very best. If this happens, the team has a strong chance of leaving the group stages. If they can ascend to the knockout rounds, they’d need the experience of players such as Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich to make them valid contenders.
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be intense. There’ll be competition among traditional powers and the emerging forces in international football. However, nations like England, Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal, The Netherlands, and Germany, lead expert predictions on who will most likely win the tournament.
It’s vital to also note that there are other nations in the mix. One notable mention is Brazil who have just secured the services of Carlo Ancelotti. With a young and talented squad, they’ve got what it takes to upset the favorites. Exciting times ahead!
The article was provided by Kate Richardson
