With Mbappe in his prime, their knockout ceiling is the highest of any contender. Dive deeper into the tournament with our guides, analysis, and complete team profiles. Official FIFA schedule will confirm exact kick-off times for each match. Brazil have been improving with every match, defeating Scotland and Haiti before sharing the spoils with Morocco. A place in the World Cup last 16 will be at stake when Brazil and Japan lock horns at NRG Stadium in what promises to be one of the most exciting last-32 ties. As both sides are likely to adopt a cautious approach, we predict a 1-1 draw.

Tactics and managerial decision-making can be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup game, and there are plenty of skippers in the tournament that have had success coaching around the globe. At age 40, Croatia’s Luka Modrić will be back for a fifth World Cup, assuming he recovers from cheekbone surgery in time. Modrić won the Golden Ball at the 2018 tournament, where Croatia was runner-up to France, and he led the team to a third-place finish in 2022. Estadio Azteca is the most well-known in Mexico, but sites in Monterrey and Guadalajara will also be used. Then, in the United States, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle will be host cities.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

The Yanks sacrificed their 100% group-stage record with a 3-2 defeat to Turkey, but Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to rotate the entire s… Our predictor lets you override any forecast and compete with friends. Top 10 championship probabilities based on FIFA ranking, ELO, and weighted recent form. Each 4-team group sends 2 teams automatically plus 8 of the 12 third-placed teams to R32.

Can the Hosts Win? USA, Mexico and Canada

He will hope to go out with a bang and cement his legacy as France’s greatest boss. But most of the favourites are set, with Lionel Messi hoping to help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown. This version of Morocco has the tools to be more proactive against France, but that can be a double-edged sword, facing Les Bleus’ phenomenal attack. Belgium are coming down the other side of the mountain, with just a few key figures remaining from their «golden generation».

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And the 38-year-old has continued to post stunning MLS numbers for Inter Miami over recent seasons as he prepares to lead his nation. With Messi complemented by two high-profile strikers still in their prime, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez, Argentina should not be short of goals. The striker is already the record goalscorer for England and has remained a pivotal figure for Tuchel, under whom the early returns have been strong. A rampant Kane scored an astonishing 61 club goals across all competitions (64 if you also include the Club World Cup) and finished the season in fine style with two consecutive hat-tricks. France have reached the final in four of the last seven editions – twice as often as any other nation during that period – and it would be a surprise if they were not there or thereabouts once again. Deschamps also lifted the trophy as a player when he was captain in 1998, and this World Cup will be the first for Mbappé as France skipper.

Brazil’s 5-title history matters less than their last 3 tournaments. Here’s exactly how we compute championship odds, group probabilities, and knockout forecasts. With the 48-team format, expect slight dilution — 10–12 top-20 teams likely. Leading the way is France with a chance of 18.66%, putting Les Bleus marginally ahead of Argentina’s 16.26%.

Portugal vs. Croatia

Both sides arrived at this summer’s tournament expecting to reach the later stages and the supercomputer does not predict any early obstacles. While Messi inspired his capable but unspectacular team-mates to glory in 2022, Ronaldo arrives in North America with real quality all around him. There’s the PSG clan of Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Ramos and Ballon d’Or third-place Vitinha who are coming into this off the back of a second straight Champions League win. Brilliant Bernardo Silva and the livewire Rafael Leao are in Roberto Martinez’s squad too. What a story it would be if, at 41-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo matches his arch rival Lionel Messi by helping Portugal to a first-ever World Cup this summer. The Argentina ace’s supporters have been able to play a trump card whenever the debate about the two modern-day icons has been had since Messi’s heroics in Qatar.

France will naturally sit near the top of most betting markets but they are easier to oppose than the odds suggest. Few nations in football history have possessed such an embarrassment of attacking riches. Yet there remains a nagging doubt over whether the France manager can truly maximise what he has at his disposal. All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world. Just 18 years old, he is tipped to be the young player of the tournament and already has the ability to spearhead his team to World Cup glory. The World Cup kicks off on June 11 – but who will lift the trophy after the final on July 19?

Group E: Germany Clear Favorite as Ivory Coast and Ecuador Battle for Second

The official ranking updates after every international match. Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally). The 2026 knockout format starts with Round of 32 — a new round created by the 48-team expansion. 8 third-placed teams join the 24 automatic qualifiers (1st + 2nd from each of 12 groups), making the R32 path unprecedented. FIFA Annex C determines R32 pairings based on which groups the third-placed teams come from. Some links to betting partners or promotional offers on MyFootballFacts may result in a commission to help support our site.

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There will be fireworks when Algeria and Austria face each other in a crucial World Cup Group J showdown, with both sides knowing that a point could be enough to help them achieve their knockout-stage ambitions. Algeria showed great character in their second group game, coming from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1, and Vladimir Petkovic has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this … Expect a thrilling atmosphere at Estadio Banorte (Azteca) in Mexico City when Mexico and Ecuador square off in the World Cup last 32. As both sides are likely to adopt a cautious approach, our prediction leans toward a 1-1 draw. With the home crowd firmly behind them, El Tri will be eager to extend their perfect run.

Spain vs. Austria

It is 24 years since Brazil last prevailed and only once before have they endured a drought of that length since first winning in 1958, which was between 1970 and 1994. Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez. Portugal are fifth favourites to triumph, as Cristiano Ronaldo seeks the one honour still missing from his trophy cabinet.

Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?

Forever less than the sum of their parts, they feel ripe to be the victims of a banner night for U.S. soccer. A host nation with its collective tail up and bleary-eyed fans enduring a 1 a.m. Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe. Egypt, Mohamed Salah and all, should have more than enough to do the job here.

Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia. Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind. Norway will be the team nobody wishes to draw from Pot 3, having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with a perfect eight wins and 37 goals – the most of any team. The Oranje’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – losing late on to England – was their best at any tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup. But when the tournament begins, the likelihood is that Ronaldo will hog the headlines, just as he did in Qatar in 2022 and at Euro 2024.

• However, the 2-1 defeat to Ecuador last time out was still a major disappointment, with Julian Nagelsmann’s side therefore set to enter this match off the back of a defeat.
• 1960Tips.com has been the trusted destination for free football predictions, expert VIP picks, and sports betting analysis since 2017.
• But a stunning defeat to Guatemala, in another shootout, ended Canada’s Gold Cup campaign at the quarter-final stage and brought them crashing down to earth.
• Germany arguably played some of the best football at Euro 2024, ranking second for average possession (62.5%) and goals scored (11), but Nagelsmann has plenty of selection dilemmas to consider.
• Brazil and France sit at the top of most prediction models, and for good reason.
• Messi (13) is one goal ahead of Mbappé, who will surely take possession of the record eventually.
• At the former tournament, Ronaldo was dropped for a last-16 tie against Switzerland after a series of ineffective displays, and his replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
• For those who prefer Spanish-language broadcasts, 92 games will be on Telemundo, with the other 12 matches (all simultaneous group finales) on Universo.
• No team has greater odds of reaching the round of 16 than Argentina.

World Championship 2026 facts (last 90 games)

France can power clear as Argentina’s exertions against Portugal and Brazil catch up with them, and Messi runs out of fairy-tales. Senegal looked sharp in their final win over Iraq but didn’t impress much against Norway ro France. The Netherlands have been in free-scoring form so far, plundering 10 in Group F. Ronald Koeman’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet, though, and Morocco’s vibrant attack will play fearlessly as they have all tournament. Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts missed out on top spot in Group B after defeat to Switzerland and must decamp to L.A.

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026? Dates and schedule

Standing in its way is underdog Cabo Verde, whose spirited journey is expected to come to an emphatic end in the coming days. We started this summer with 48 teams but are now down to 32. We’ve lost big names like Uruguay, Scotland and Türkiye, but all the pre-tournament favorites are still alive and kicking in pursuit of glory across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The teams that can solve different tactical puzzles, manage their energy levels and thrive in hostile conditions usually find themselves going deepest into the competition. Their title defence in 2014 did not make it out of the group.

• Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through.
• Debutants Uzbekistan are seen as having a slightly better chance of impressing than the other new nations, as they have a 0.2% chance of going all the way.
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• France appear primed for another title push, led by the world’s top goal scorer Kylian Mbappe and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
• The trend continues a shift away from the traditional black-and-white football boot, following the colourful designs that first gained popularity at the 1998 World Cup.
• Brobbey is expected to continue through the middle for Koeman’s team, with Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert and Crysencio Summerville set to be kept in reserve.
• They’ve been excellent in this tournament, and Sweden’s attack-oriented mindset is generally a less effective strategy for pulling off an upset than Paraguay’s more defensive stance.
• Modrić won the Golden Ball at the 2018 tournament, where Croatia was runner-up to France, and he led the team to a third-place finish in 2022.
• These were the knockout stage predictions for TSN expert Dom Farrell.
• Argentina dominated the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador, and last year they also retained the Copa América for the first time since 1993.
• If you choose to engage with betting partners featured on the site, always stay within your limits.
• The generational talent Yamal is of course part of that logic.
• Our World Cup betting insights are based on extensive historical data, team form leading into the tournament, and performance trends from recent editions, providing a reliable foundation for informed betting strategies.

Surely we can’t write off Brazil?

The issue for both is they will first have to negotiate their way through difficult groups and, if they don’t finish top in the initial stage, that could hinder them with a tougher path to the final. Ancelotti is armed with attacking talent, having opted to select record goalscorer Neymar in addition to stars like Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha. His squad have a 22.1% hope of making the last four, at which stage few would want to face them.

Brazil have struggled to define a clear identity in recent tournaments, raising doubts about their ability to make a legitimate World Cup run. Vinicius Junior has battled inconsistency, while Raphinha’s form has been disrupted by injuries. That places significant responsibility on Joao Pedro, who has impressed at Chelsea, but it remains uncertain whether that will be enough, will messi play 2026 world cup or even if he’s locked into the XI. Against a hungry and well‑organized Netherlands side, Brazil appear vulnerable, with this matchup favoring the Dutch. Ghana cannot be overlooked, as Antoine Semenyo provides genuine danger, but I expect the European sides to control this group with Ghana likely finishing as one of the best third-place teams.

Qualified: World Cup 2026 teams already through to the knockout stage

Lionel Messi made history in the group stage, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is the front-runner for the 2026 Golden Boot, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland the closest challengers. The award usually follows whichever star’s team runs deepest. Below are the 16 actual fixtures with our pick for each, followed by our forecast through to the final.

Expectations are sky-high in Mauricio Pochettino’s corner, yet the United States’ recent World Cup performances cannot inspire confidence, even though they’ve reached the knockouts in three of the last four tournaments. Before bowing out in the group stages four years ago in Qatar, Mexico had reached the knockout phase at seven consecutive World Cups. With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again.

• Croatia are another team whose best days may be behind them but can never be ruled out.
• Belgium sealed their place in the last 32 with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand, with Leandro Trossard stealing the show by scoring a brace….
• They are the reigning European champions too, having beaten England in the final two years ago, and will be looking to add to their only World Cup title from 2010.
• Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar.
• Portugal will likely have one last dance with a slightly older Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Gabriel Avalos has only scored twice in 25 appearances for his country, but there is again set to be a spot in the final third of the field for the 34-year-old.
• Furthermore, it can simply lead to a drop in motivation levels, especially if they face a team needing to win to earn a place in the World Cup Finals.
• Los Canaleros can count themselves unfortunate not to have collected at lea…
• As Uzbekistan have been struggling defensively at the 2026 World Cup finals, we predict a 1-0 home win.
• The main challenge in Group J is identifying who finishes behind Argentina, as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign makes them clear favorites.

Within that sextet, three teams are seen as the biggest challengers to Spain and three others, while very much in the mix, might need a little more good fortune to go their way if they are to emerge triumphant. According to the Opta supercomputer, there are six other teams who should go into the tournament with strong hopes of going all the way. The generational talent Yamal is of course part of that logic.

Preview: Netherlands vs Morocco – prediction, team news, lineups 2026 World Cup

Ivory Coast arguably should have won all three of their Group E matches after they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose late against Germany, but Emerse Fae’s team have found goals hard to come by. The same cannot be said of Norway and their rested and refreshed talisman Erling Haaland. You can get daily World Cup 2026 match tips and predictions right here on 1960Tips. Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament. As world No.1, reigning European champions, and with a deep, tactically cohesive squad, they enter as the strongest all-round side in the tournament.

Croatia rank just above co-hosts USA and place 15th overall in terms of potential winners with a 1.6% chance. The Opta supercomputer is reasonably positive about the chances of the three co-host nations, suggesting all of them are likely to produce solid – albeit not necessarily spectacular – tournaments. Erling Haaland struck 16 times in just eight games, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign. We have covered the seven teams who are most likely to win the tournament, but there are also a few other potential winners. They have topped their first-round pool in every World Cup since 1982 and have a 60.4% chance of winning Group C. After winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is eyeing the chance to bounce back from what was, by his extremely high standards, a poor major tournament at Euro 2024, an event he ended without a goal.

The defending champions won Group J with a perfect record and drew the kinder half of the bracket. Messi is in record-breaking form, and Argentina’s path to the final avoids most of the other heavyweights until the semifinals. They were the only contender to come through the group stage with a perfect record, and they did it in the toughest group in the draw. Argentina are right behind them, on the opposite side of the bracket. Here is how the leading contenders stack up as the knockouts begin.

This is the sort of information to consider if you are thinking of betting on the World Cup, and we have included it in our World Cup betting guide. For example, by reproducing the kind of performance they showed in the opening half-hour against Brazil. In terms of pressing, I have the feeling the Atlas Lions can really trouble the Dutch. Ismael Saibari, who is set to make the move to Bayern Munich this summer, has scored three times in three appearances at the 2026 World Cup and will again lead the line.

Supercomputer Predicts 2026 World Cup Winner After Group Stage Concludes

Along with the Gold Cup run, a 5-1 win over Uruguay last time out put Pochettino’s critics on notice, and the USA should feel good about their chances of being competitive in the knockout stages. The Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), and they are the eighth and final team assigned more than a 5% chance of triumphing next year, at 5.2%. By popular request, we’ve changed the projected match results table to reflect the score after 90 minutes — not including extra time. However, the model does simulate extra time and penalties, which generally favor the stronger side, in projecting which team advances. We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases. There are charts showing each team’s chance of winning it all, their most likely opponents at each stage, and precise odds for each game, including the likelihood of particular scores (e.g., Brazil 2-1).

World Cup: To advance, the U.S. will have to end its five-year European curse

Get the latest World Cup 2026 predictions and betting tips, powered by our AI algorithm, NT Apex. We have analyzed 64 matches across 48 teams in the World Cup 2026, achieving a best-tip accuracy of over 71.9%. Predictions cover Final Result, Under/Over, Both Teams to Score, Correct Score, xG, Corners, and Ball Possession. Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top six betting favourites to take home the most prestigious international title.

Norway are the dark horse, and Lionel Messi heads the Golden Boot race after becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer. Ivory Coast and Norway face each other at AT&T Stadium in what promises to be one of the most entertaining World Cup last-32 clashes, with 2-2 our predicted outcome. Ivory Coast secured their place in the knockout stages with a convincing 2-0 victory over Curacao, where Nicolas Pepe stole the headlines with a brilliant brace. Argentina will look to move one step closer toward their fourth World Cup trophy when they face Cape Verde in the last 32 of the showpiece tournament. As Argentina look unstoppable at the moment, our prediction firmly points toward a 2-0 home win.

• Every result below is cross-checked against the final standings, so the picks reflect what actually happened on the pitch, not just pre-tournament models.
• The 2026 World Cup continues with three more Round of 32 matchups on Tuesday.
• Belgium vs Best 3rd place Group A/E/H/I/J – Perhaps freeing themselves from the shackles of their trophyless ‘golden generation’ is exactly what Belgium needed to unlock their full potential.
• Their roster is stacked with talent from back to front, and the possibility of Ronaldo’s final World Cup only sharpens the focus.
• The USMNT appointed Pochettino after of a humiliating group-stage exit as Copa América hosts last year, and things did not immediately improve as the Argentine lost five of his first 10 matches at the helm.
• Just one shock exit from a tournament favourite can cause other dominos to fall and the draw can suddenly open up for an unexpected team to challenge.
• Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday 5 December, the Opta supercomputer has produced its early predictions for this summer’s tournament in North America.
• Many members of the Red Devils’ ‘Golden Generation’ remain in the fold, even if the years are starting to catch up with them.
• A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K.
• Portugal enter the tournament as legitimate title contenders for good reason.
• Whether you want to forecast the whole tournament, compete with friends, or just watch the games — we’ve got you covered.

Brazil are the only side to qualify for every edition of the World Cup, though the Seleção cut things a little too fine this time around, finishing fifth in CONMEBOL’s qualifiers. Argentina dominated the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador, and last year they also retained the Copa América for the first time since 1993. But a rampant 5-0 victory in Serbia in September showcased the Three Lions’ potential, and the emergence of Elliot Anderson seems to have finally ended their search for a central midfield partner for Declan Rice. His England reign took some time to get going, as England laboured past Albania (3-0), Latvia (2-0), Andorra (1-0 and 2-0) and were beaten 3-1 by Senegal in a June friendly. The 2026 World Cup will mark the end of an era in French football, with Didier Deschamps set to stand down from his role as Les Bleus’ head coach after 14 years at the helm.

• This group appears straightforward, with Brazil and Morocco standing out as the strongest sides.
• The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has come to a close and it’s full steam ahead into the round of 32.
• After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide.
• Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe.
• They could give Germany a run for their money in Group E and are given a 43.4% chance of reaching the last 16.
• Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.
• These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory.
• The model adjusts its odds after each game, playing out the rest of the tournament 100,000 times while giving teams credit (or blame) for their performance so far.
• Building momentum heading into a tournament is huge, and the vast majority of nations will play friendly matches with their strongest teams in close proximity to the tournament to build a rapport between the players.
• A battle for second place ought to be far more exciting, with Iran likely to put Egypt’s credentials to the test after a decent group-stage campaign in Qatar.
• Pochettino has had no choice but to experiment – in November, Giovani Reyna’s return to the squad saw him become the 51st player to start a game for the USMNT in 2025.
• There are many nations from Africa that could have a huge impact on the 2026 World Cup, just like Morocco who managed to make it all the way to the semi-final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
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• South Africa and Egypt also reached the knockouts for the first time, while pre-tournament hopefuls Turkiye and Uruguay both went home early.

As Germany are eager to make amends for a shocking 2-1 loss to Ecuador, we predict a 2-1 home win. Germany failed to impress in their final group match, but with qualification already secured, the result had little significance. Paraguay will be aiming to claim yet another major scalp when they face France in the World Cup last 16. However, we predict a 3-0 away win as les Tricolores look unstoppable at the moment. Paraguay produced a disciplined display to eliminate Germany after a dramatic penalty shootout, proving once again how difficult they are to break down in knockout football. England and DR Congo will be vying for a spot in the World Cup last 16 when they lock horns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.

However, SportsLine soccer expert Matt Severance is looking for a little added security by playing Mexico (tie no bet) for a -215 payout. Pink boots have also become one of the biggest trends at the tournament. There are quite often, and unfortunately, major injuries that rule out certain players from the World Cup Finals, much to the devastation of the players themselves and their nations. This can impact a team’s chances heavily, especially if it is a top goalscorer or stalwart defender that is essential to the way the nation plays. Two of the all-time greats are poised to be the first men to play in six World Cups. Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2022 tournament, tallying seven goals and three assists.

• But the likes of Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez have kicked on in the last two years, and any team which has Messi has a chance of going all the way – a creditable 8.7% chance, according to the supercomputer.
• Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in a breathtaking final that ended 3-3 after extra time before the Albiceleste won on penalties.
• South Korea vs Bosnia & Herzegovina – Despite overcoming Italy in the qualifying play-offs, this tie could spell the end of Bosnia’s World Cup journey.
• Die Mannschaft actually locked horns with Paraguay in the last-16 stage of the 2002 World Cup, recording a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late effort from Oliver Neuville.
• Now that there are 12 groups instead of eight, it’s hard to find a Group of Death with four exceptionally strong teams.
• England vs Portugal – Ronaldo may have to take comfort from beating his arch-nemesis in the quarter-finals.
• And of course, there are also six teams still to be decided in March’s play-offs.
• There have also been stirring underdog stories, with minnow Cape Verde qualifying as Group H runners-up behind European champions Spain, and Iran similarly going through the round-robin phase undefeated against the odds.
• England and DR Congo will be vying for a spot in the World Cup last 16 when they lock horns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.
• Canada and Mexico, the other two co-hosts, are both expected to advance comfortably as well.
• But a rampant 5-0 victory in Serbia in September showcased the Three Lions’ potential, and the emergence of Elliot Anderson seems to have finally ended their search for a central midfield partner for Declan Rice.
• Six of the teams appearing at the tournament are still to be decided, with four qualifying via the UEFA play-offs and another two via the inter-confederation playoffs.

He was in the squad that swept all before them to win Euro 2024 in such impressive style just two summers ago. The supercomputer believes Spain have a chance to ease into the tournament, as they topped Group H in a massive 75.3% of sims, with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde representing a reasonably kind draw. They are one of six participants from South America, along with five-time winners Brazil, who are now led by Carlo Ancelotti as the Seleção seek to end a barren run since claiming their last crown back in 2002. Lionel Messi, finally crowned world champion, was named Player of the Tournament in what many consider the greatest World Cup final ever played.

That’s why Spain make the most appeal as the outright winners. Firstly, England have the squad and it’s been picked for purpose by Thomas Tuchel. The egos have been left at home and this group, which is full of pace and running, has been picked to flourish in the conditions. Since Spain’s victory in South Africa, La Roja have not made it past the round of 16, exiting at that stage in the last two editions.

For the co-hosts, Canada sits lowest in the rankings at 0.47%, with Mexico up at 1.81%. The USMNT leads the way once again at 2.45%, but there are 10 teams seen as more likely winners. Spain is backed to make light work of Austria, as is England in its meeting with DR Congo.