World Cup 2026 winner prediction: 9/2 & 8/1 outright tips
Before becoming a Sports Journalist for Free Super Tips, Aaron spent three years studying Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland while taking in the Black Cats' 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill. Now back in Northern Ireland he turns niche stats into predictions for FST, while he's one of the few people on this island who is equally comfortable at Windsor Park and the Aviva.
After previewing all 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup, it’s time to predict who will lift the trophy on July 19th.
Below you can find my two selections in the tournament outright betting, and don’t forget to check our World Cup hub, as we have every angle covered ahead of the opening game.
World Cup 2026 winner betting odds
- Spain – 9/2
- France – 5/1
- England – 13/2
- Portugal – 8/1
- Brazil – 8/1
*All odds correct as of 5th June, 2026 on bet365.com
World Cup 2026 winner tips
Spain to win the World Cup at 9/2
Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The European champions beat France 5-4 in the Nations League semis, before losing on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Munich.
They remedied any defensive concerns by winning their first five qualifiers without conceding, including a 6-0 win in Turkey and a 4-0 victory away to Georgia.
Luis de la Fuente struck an impressive balance between their usual technical brilliance in midfield and more direct attacking play from the wings at Euro 2024.
With two more years of club football under his belt, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal promises to have an even stronger tournament than he did in Germany. The Barcelona winger has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury, and he’s expected to feature in La Roja’s opener.
After a stellar season at Atletico Madrid, Marcos Llorente is expected to fill the void left by Dani Carvajal at right-back. The complete lack of Real Madrid players in the Spain squad could ultimately be a benefit to de la Fuente, given their turbulent season on and off the pitch.
European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago.
There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.
Portugal to win the World Cup at 8/1
After making only two appearances across the first 68 years of the World Cup, Portugal have been ever-present since 2002.
They haven’t reached the last four of the tournament since Cristiano Ronaldo’s first appearance in 2006, but the draw has been kind to them this summer.
Portugal have landed in a winnable group alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Winning that group would give them a softer run in the early knockout rounds, before a potential meeting with Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Roberto Martinez has his doubters, but he did guide Belgium to third place in 2018. He has arguably never coached a stronger squad, as he’s able to pair two-thirds of PSG’s midfield in Joao Neves and Vitinha with PFA Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes.
Ronaldo’s presence brings more negatives than positives, but the rest of the team is so talented that they should make a deep run in spite of him.
Martinez led them to the last eight at Euro 2024, losing on penalties to France. They beat hosts Germany 2-1 in the Nations League semis before triumphing over Spain, and edging those big clashes suggests they could become the ninth country to win the World Cup.
Build better bets with our free betting tips, predictions and accumulators, every day.
More betting news:
FST’s World Cup 2026 betting hub and schedule
View All Today’s Football Tips
Betting Academy: See our complete guide to football betting
To take full advantage of our Free Football Tips we recommend you take a look at our Free Bets page, where you can compare all the best free bets and special offers from the country’s top bookmakers.