World Cup 2026 · By ranking, not odds

Who are the favourites to win World Cup 2026?

By FIFA world ranking, not bookmaker odds, the World Cup 2026 favourites are France (1), Spain (2), Argentina (3), England (4), Portugal (5), Brazil (6).

Verified · FIFA ranking·as of 1 April 2026 MercatoWire Data Desk · verified 2026-06-15 04:10 UTC

FranceTop of the FIFA world ranking at number 1

Top of the FIFA ranking

Favourites by FIFA world ranking

The 12 highest-ranked teams at World Cup 2026

France #1

Spain #2

Argentina #3

England #4

Portugal #5

Brazil #6

Netherlands #7

Morocco #8

Belgium #9

Germany #10

Croatia #11

Colombia #13

Ranking, not odds. FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking as of 1 April 2026. A higher position is a stronger ranking, not a probability of winning.

All 48 teams by ranking

World Cup 2026 teams ranked by FIFA world ranking (1 April 2026)
#	Team	FIFA rank	Group
1	France	#1	Group I
2	Spain	#2	Group H
3	Argentina	#3	Group J
4	England	#4	Group L
5	Portugal	#5	Group K
6	Brazil	#6	Group C
7	Netherlands	#7	Group F
8	Morocco	#8	Group C
9	Belgium	#9	Group G
10	Germany	#10	Group E
11	Croatia	#11	Group L
12	Colombia	#13	Group K
13	Senegal	#14	Group I
14	Mexico	#15	Group A
15	United States	#16	Group D
16	Uruguay	#17	Group H
17	Japan	#18	Group F
18	Switzerland	#19	Group B
19	Iran	#21	Group G
20	Türkiye	#22	Group D
21	Ecuador	#23	Group E
22	Austria	#24	Group J
23	South Korea	#25	Group A
24	Australia	#27	Group D
25	Algeria	#28	Group J
26	Egypt	#29	Group G
27	Canada	#30	Group B
28	Norway	#31	Group I
29	Panama	#33	Group L
30	Ivory Coast	#34	Group E
31	Sweden	#38	Group F
32	Paraguay	#40	Group D
33	Czechia	#41	Group A
34	Scotland	#43	Group C
35	Tunisia	#44	Group F
36	Congo DR	#46	Group K
37	Uzbekistan	#50	Group K
38	Qatar	#55	Group B
39	Iraq	#57	Group I
40	South Africa	#60	Group A
41	Saudi Arabia	#61	Group H
42	Jordan	#63	Group J
43	Bosnia-Herzegovina	#65	Group B
44	Cape Verde	#69	Group H
45	Ghana	#74	Group L
46	Curaçao	#82	Group E
47	Haiti	#83	Group C
48	New Zealand	#85	Group G

Ranking is not destiny

This page ranks the contenders strictly by the FIFA world ranking, the only objective, verifiable measure available before a ball is kicked. It is not a prediction and carries no betting odds. France top the field at number 1, just ahead of Spain at 2.

The ranking is a guide, not a guarantee. World Cups are routinely won by sides who were not the top-ranked team on the morning of the opener, and a kind or cruel draw matters as much as pedigree. For the toughest draw, see the group of death; for the road to the trophy, follow the knockout bracket.

Frequently asked

Who are the favourites to win World Cup 2026?

By FIFA world ranking, the favourites are France (1), Spain (2), Argentina (3), England (4), Portugal (5), Brazil (6). This is a ranking-based order, not bookmaker odds.

Who is the number one ranked team at World Cup 2026?

France, ranked number 1 in the world. Spain are next at number 2.

Does MercatoWire publish World Cup 2026 odds?

No. MercatoWire is a facts newswire and does not publish betting odds or win probabilities. This page ranks teams by the verifiable FIFA world ranking only.

Is the highest-ranked team guaranteed to win the World Cup?

No. The FIFA ranking measures recent results, not destiny. Lower-ranked teams have won the World Cup before, and the draw and form on the day often matter more than ranking.

What date is the FIFA ranking used here from?

1 April 2026. Every team's rank is taken from the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking published on that date.