The 2026 FIFA World Cup might be over a year away but the betting markets are always open. This may actually be a great time to place a bet on FIFA World Cup outright odds, given only a few teams have officially qualified.
With USA, Mexico and Canada joint-hosting the tournament, there is going to be an expanded 48-team field. That means we’ll see the first Round of 32 in the tournament’s history and plenty of potential upsets.
We’re always on the lookout for a good bet. So, we’ve identified the best value bets (+1000 or longer) for next Summer’s tournament. Here are the teams who should be on your radar as we approach Summer 2026:
World Cup Outright Odds: Argentina
The latest FIFA World Cup outright odds give Argentina a +1000 shot to repeat as World Cup champions. Argentina, with their penalty shootout victory in 2022’s final, prevented France from becoming the first team to win repeat World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
Now, La Albiceleste will look to do what France were so close to achieving. People have been saying it for ages but this is really looking like Lionel Messi’s last hurrah for the national team. He has an absurd legacy but another World Cup would add more ammo to GOAT debates.
Argentina have been the strongest team in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers despite some hiccups and recently destroyed Brazil 4-1. Plus, they’ve won the last three major tournaments they’ve participated in. Key players from the World Cup winning side, like Messi, Dibu Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez will all presumably still be starters next year.
However, Angel Di Maria, who scored the opening goal in the 2022 World Cup Final, announced his international retirement after winning Copa America 2024.
Portugal
We may really get to see a 39-year old Messi and 41-year old Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It would be their sixth World Cup appearance each and no other player has ever managed it.
Portugal have a deep enough squad for Ronaldo to be a super sub and it would be the perfect role for him if he’s willing to accept it.
While Ronaldo could be at the World Cup next year, defensive stalwart Pepe will not be. So, expect a back line led by Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes.
While Portugal won Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League, a World Cup trophy has proved to be elusive. The PSG midfield duo who ran Liverpool off the pitch in the Champions League, Vitinha and Joao Neves, could also start for Portugal. Plus, they have the ever-creative Bruno Fernandes along with Bernardo Silva and Joao Palhinha.
Rafael Leao is a live wire on the left wing who could be crucial to Portugal’s success. His willingness to put in defensive effort is the only question.
With Leao, Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota and Joao Felix in forward areas, Portugal is one of the deepest teams in the world. At +1600 World Cup outright odds, they might not be a bad value bet either.
Uruguay
Uruguay disappointingly failed to get out of the Group Stage at Qatar 2022. Since then, they have been one of the better national teams in the world. They came in third place at Copa America 2024 and currently sit in third place in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers.
Marcelo Bielsa plays a high octane style has not always proved to be sustainable over a 38 game season. However, in knockout tournaments Uruguay can keep up the intensity and compete with nearly anyone.
They have an embarrassment of riches in midfield with the likes of Fede Valverde, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur. Maxi Araujo was a breakout star at the Copa America and he causes all sorts of trouble on the wing.
Jose Maria Gimenez leads a stingy Atletico Madrid and Uruguay defense alongside Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. It’s scary to have to rely on Darwin Nuñez but the potential has always been there with him. If he has a great world cup, the sky’s the limit for Uruguay.
The latest odds price Los Charruas as +3300 longshots to win their first World Cup in 76 years.
Colombia
Colombia took Argentina to extra time last Summer’s Copa America Final but left empty handed. At the time of the 1-0 extra time defeat, Colombia were on a 29-month, 28-game unbeaten streak. They are capable of stringing together some excellent results despite some recent struggles.
James Rodriguez lit up the 2014 World Cup and he was the best player at last Summer’s Copa America. Rodriguez, now 33, provided six assists throughout the tournament and seems to be at his best when he dons the Yellow and Blue jersey of Colombia.
He’s not even close to the only talented player on coach Nestor Lorenzo’s roster. Aston Villa commanded a €77 million fee from Al-Nassr for striker Jhon Duran’s signature.
Duran has excelled at every level he’s played at and he could make even more of a name for himself next Summer. Luis Diaz has been superb for Liverpool at times and is joint-leader in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, with six goals.
Meanwhile, Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi and Yerry Mina are among the experienced names at the back. Richard Rios, Jefferson Lerma and Jhon Arias make up an industrious Colombia midfield that will relentlessly hound their opponents.
At +4000 World Cup outright odds, it could be worth taking a punt on Colombia.
Croatia
Croatia’s performances at recent World Cups have been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2018, they made their first World Cup Final, beating Argentina, Denmark and England along the way. They lost 4-2 to France in the final but Luka Modric won the Golden Ball Award for the tournament’s best player.
At Qatar 2022, Croatia outlasted Japan and Brazil on penalties before losing to eventual champions Argentina. Still, they managed to claim bronze with a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the third place game. Continuity has been the biggest factor for Croatia.
Modric has been their captain since 2016 and coach Zlatko Dalic has been at the helm since 2017. If Modric plays, it’ll be the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner’s fifth World Cup appearance. It looks like Ivan Perisic, who has been in good form for PSV, may also be around for a last shot at a World Cup.
Dominik Livakovic has also proven to be an excellent goalkeeper in PK shootouts. In any case, Croatia are a well-rounded team. They have top players like Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic around Modric. Their biggest issue has been consistent goalscoring and that’s what could keep them from having a real shot.
Regardless, their +6600 FIFA World Cup outright odds look favorable.
Japan
Japan haven’t lost in over a year and have the best record in AFC World Cup Qualifiers. Yes, they succumbed to a disappointing Quarterfinal exit in last year’s AFC Asian Cup but they lost to Iran, the second-best team on the continent.
Plus, Japan have qualified for back-to-back World Cup knockout stages for the first time in team history. To get there in 2022, they had to beat Germany and Spain. Over the last couple of years they’ve also taken down Turkey, Germany and Canada in friendlies.
Japan can beat anyone on their day and they have a ton of talent. Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita and Ao Tanaka make up the spine of the team. Meanwhile, creative players like Kaoru Mitoma, Take Kubo, Daichi Kamada and Ritsu Doan will be difficult for other teams to deal with.
This Samurai Blue side has the potential to go far and you can take their World Cup outright odds at +10000.
World Cup Outright Odds: Morocco
Morocco were the biggest surprises of the last World Cup and they have the potential to make some noise once again. In 2022, they became the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup Semifinal and knocked out Spain and Portugal along the way.
Plus, Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz recently switched international allegiances from Spain to Morocco. He’s hit the ground running with his new team with eight goals in 10 appearances. In recent years, players like Monaco’s Eliesse Ben Seghir and Bayer Leverkusen’s Amine Adli have also switched to Morocco.
Key players from 2022, like Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech, should all be in the squad next Summer. So, Morocco have an excellent shot of making another run.
Currently, Morocco are on a 10 game winning streak and haven’t lost since January 2024. CAF World Cup qualifiers have been a breeze for them, as they’re 5-0 with a +12 goal difference. We definitely like their +10000 FIFA World Cup outright odds.
Top Soccer Bets: World Cup Outright Odds
Of the seven teams we’ve mentioned, we’ve picked out the three best value bets to consider.
It would be a poetic ending to Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career to win a World Cup. It certainly helps that the all-time international leading scorer is on one of the deepest national teams in the world. When teams like Brazil, who have struggled for quite some time, and Germany, who will be playing in their first tournament in the post-Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller era, are listed at +600 and +1000 respectively, Portugal’s +1600 World Cup outright odds look favorable.
With plenty of Colombians in the USA and Mexico, every match should feel like a home game for Los Cafeteros. With gamechangers like James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Jhon Duran, they have the potential to make a deep run. They looked great at the Copa America and they could make a splash on the global stage. At +4000 odds, Colombia are one of our Top Soccer Bets.
The range of outcomes for Morocco is undoubtedly wide but they’ve been here before. They have even more talent than last time around and the same mastermind coach, Walid Regragui, who led them to the Semifinal in 2022. Morocco’s +10000 odds make them one of the best value bets in the field.
