2026 World Cup Odds: Spain Is Favored After Draw

After a lengthy and unpredictable draw, the updated 2026 World Cup odds list Spain as the early favorite. Fresh off their Euro 2024 title, Spain enters the tournament at +450 to capture a second World Cup crown. England follows closely behind at +550, owning the second-best odds after becoming the first European nation to officially qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

2026 FIFA World Cup Odds

Odds as of December 5 from FanDuel

2026 World Cup Favorite: Spain (+450)

Spain will enter the tournament as reigning European Champions and having trampled through Group E of UEFA qualifications with a 5-1-0 record and +19 goal differential. Spain was also runner-up to the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, losing to Portugal in penalties. I'm trying to paint a picture of a team that is operating at the highest echelon of world football by not only obtaining results, but silverware too.

Getting out of Group H, which also includes Cabo Verde (FIFA Rank 68), Saudi Arabia (60), and Uruguay (16), and even winning it, should be easy for La Roja. Making their path through the knockout stage easier.

They're also ushering in a new generation of superstar talents with Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Nico Williams.

So, in summation, Spain is in great form, was drawn into an easy(ish) group, and has a path through the knockouts, with superstar talent? I mean that a favorite if I ever saw one.

2026 World Cup Value Pick: Germany (+1200)

The Germans might have the easiest group at the tournament. Die Mannschaft is joined by Ecuador (FIFA rank: 23), Côte d'Ivoire (42), and Curaçao (82). Just like Spain, getting out of the group for Germany should be a walk in the park, setting them up well for the knockout stage.

Germany stumbled to open World Cup qualifications with a shock 2-0 loss to Slovakia. However, they bounced back, winning five straight, closing out qualifications with a resounding 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia.

And just like Spain, the Germans have young superstar talents ready to dominate with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Not to mention elite vets like Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Antonio Rudiger. 

This is a program that wins, has an easy group, and has a ton of talent.

2026 World Cup Darkhorse: Croatia (+6000)

The Croatians finished third and second in the last two World Cups, so why doubt them now? Because they're old? Sure, Modric, Perisic, and Kramaric are all 34+, but they're still incredibly productive for the national team.

All three are the core of a Croatian team that topped UEFA Qualification Group L, going 7-1-0 with a +22 goal differential. The elder trio scored a combined 11 goals and assisted seven goals in that qualification window. 

If you're looking for a dark horse, look no further than Croatia.

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?