Updated 2026 FIFA World Cup Odds Following International Break
Photo by Alice Triquet on Unsplash
The recent international break saw World Cup qualifiers take center stage, and there have been no end of talking points from both ends of the spectrum.
Euro 2024 finalists Spain and England were both flexing their muscles with thumping victories; however, some heavyweights wilted.
Germany’s defeat at the hands of Slovakia has left them with work to do if they are to make it to North America, while African giants Nigeria are all but eliminated following a 1-1 draw against South Africa.
Even though next summer’s showcase is still just shy of a year away, the bookies already had their frontrunners priced up. But how have the most recent qualifying results affected those odds? Let’s take a look.
Spain
For the majority of the last year, online gambling sites have had several teams all priced up as joint favorites to leave MetLife Stadium next July with the trophy. Following Spain’s recent form in their last two qualifiers, however, that has now changed.
The popular Bovada online gambling site now makes the reigning European Champions the outright 9/2 favorite to lift the World Cup for the second time in their illustrious history, and on current form, it’s hard to argue.
Following their success at UEFA Euro 2024 last summer, it was clear that a second golden generation had emerged in Spain.
Teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal is without question the leading light, but with a stellar supporting cast consisting of the likes of Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Fabian Ruiz, La Roja is packed with quality all across the pitch.
That was on full display in their two most recent qualifiers during the international break.
Spain first headed to a hostile Sofia, Bulgaria, but the visitors were far from being overawed. They raced into a 3-0 halftime lead thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino, a lead they never looked like surrendering.
Their trip to Turkiye, days later, was considered by many to be their most difficult test. Ultimately, it was one the Spaniards would pass with flying colors.
La Roja romped to a 6-0 victory in Istanbul, with a sensational hat trick from Arsenal midfielder Merino the highlight of the display.
Now, the bookies have had no choice but to install Spain as the frontrunners, and they will take some stopping in North America in nine months.
Brazil
The first half of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign was an unmitigated disaster. With the record five-time champions in danger of not qualifying, they turned to former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to return to contention, and the majestic Italian has managed to turn around the South American outfit’s fortunes.
A run of three games unbeaten ensured that the Selecao qualified for the World Cup with games to spare, but considering their form over their last two games, it comes as quite a shock to see that the bookies have them listed as a 13/2 second favorite for glory next summer.
Brazil handily dispatched Peru by three goals to nil in their penultimate qualifier, the team that has finished bottom in the South American qualifiers. However, their performance on the road against Bolivia left much to be desired.
Despite a whopping €720m squad value disparity, the Bolivians managed to secure a shock 1-0 victory, sending them to the inter-confederational playoffs and providing the opportunity for La Verde to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1994.
For Brazil, they are somehow considered contenders, and 13/2 looks incredibly short considering their performances throughout qualifying.
France
While Brazil has struggled at the World Cup over the last two decades, France most certainly has not. Les Bleus have reached the final of the last two editions of the tournament, winning the first in Moscow in 2018 before losing out to destiny-fuelled Lionel Messi and Argentina four years later. They, too, are considered 13/2 joint second favorites, but at least that pricing makes much more sense.
The French picked up a 2-0 victory against Ukraine in their first World Cup qualifier, with goals from Michael Olise and talisman Kylian Mbappe sealing the three points on the road.
They then headed home for a clash with Iceland at the Parc des Princes, home of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. Les Bleus would have to survive numerous scares, first falling behind earlier after a calamitous error from the aforementioned Olise, before Aurelien Tchouameni was also sent off late on. Still, a goal and an assist from Mbappe secured a 2-1 win, and the French look well set to mount another all-out assault next summer.
Masked Mbappe 🇫🇷👀
Is he going to play? #Euro2024
pic.twitter.com/oNStxlBYpC https://t.co/iNilTMnN5q
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) June 21, 2024
England
No country has suffered more heartbreak than England in recent years. They have reached the final of the last two European Championships only to lose on both occasions, while a missed penalty from the usually reliable Harry Kane saw them exit the Qatar World Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
Now, former Chelsea Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel has taken charge from the divisive Gareth Southgate, and he managed to secure his first major victory in charge.
After a lackluster 2-0 victory against Andorra, the Three Lions headed to Serbia for arguably their biggest test under their German boss to date.
It was a test that they passed with flying colors, as goals from captain Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Marcus Rashford sealed a thumping 5-0 win in Belgrade. They are now considered a 7/1 fourth favorite to win the World Cup, exactly 60 years on from their first and only triumph.
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