World Cup 2026 title contenders

According to Opta's prediction model, Spain is the team with the highest probability of winning the 2026 World Cup, at 17%.

Spain is considered the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup.

If this scenario comes true, "La Roja" will become the first team in history to simultaneously hold the two biggest titles in world and European football, following their golden era from 2008-2012. They are currently the reigning champions of EURO 2024.

Following Spain is France with 14.1%. The French team, which has maintained remarkable consistency in major tournaments for nearly a decade, continues to be considered a strong contender for the championship in North America.

England ranked third with 11.8%, a figure reflecting the strength of the talented generation led by coach Thomas Tuchel. Defending world champions Argentina, after their glorious 2022 World Cup campaign, only ranked fourth with 8.7%, as their squad is undergoing a transitional phase.

Other traditionally strong teams like Germany (7.1%), Portugal (6.6%), Brazil (5.6%), and the Netherlands (5.2%) are also among the contenders, but they no longer hold the dominant position they did in previous World Cups.

Further down the table, there's a notable surprise: Norway, despite never having made a significant impact at the World Cup, is rated 2.3% by Opta . This rating surpasses that of Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, and Croatia. The primary reason for this is the excellent form and explosive potential of their young players, especially Erling Haaland.

Among the host nations, the US has only a 0.9% chance of winning, the same as Japan. Mexico is at 1.3%, while Canada is not in the top 20.

Opta 's predictions suggest a shift in the balance of power in world football. Spain is making a strong comeback, Argentina is weakening, and former dominant teams like Brazil and Germany will have to work harder if they want to compete for the title in the summer of 2026.

Source: https://znews.vn/ung-cu-vien-vo-dich-world-cup-2026-post1608868.html