The 2026 World Cup kicks off this week, but who is the favourite to be crowned champions?
This year's competition will see 48 teams taking part across 12 groups in what is the biggest World Cup ever.
Here are the teams that are among the favourites to win the tournament.
Who are predicted to win the World Cup in 2026?
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Spain are most people's favourite to win the tournament, having won the Euros in 2024 after beating England in the final.
From the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri to one of, if not the best players in the world, Lamine Yamal, they will likely go deep into the competition this year.
Spain have won the World Cup just once, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
France are also among the favourites to win the World Cup.
They have made it to the last two World Cup finals, beating Croatia 4-2 in 2018, and losing to Lionel Messi's Argentina on penalties in the last World Cup in 2022.
Many predict them to make it far again this year, with some predicting them to win their third World Cup.
Other than Spain and France, other countries among the favourites to win are England, Brazil, Portugal and Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel will be looking to win England's first World Cup since 1966, with many back home praying this is their year.
Brazil have won the World Cup the most times, having been crowned champions five times, but have not emerged victorious since beating Germany 2-0 in 2002.
Portugal have never won the competition, but with talents like Bruno Fernandes, recent Champions League-winning midfielders Vitinha and Joao Neves, and their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, they could make a run.
Argentina are another strong team, having won the last World Cup in 2022.
Lionel Messi will be looking to cement his legacy in the game even more by winning the tournament again.
When are England and Scotland's World Cup group stage games?
For the UK, both England and Scotland will be taking part this year.
England are in Group L, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama, playing each of them over the coming weeks.
Here are the dates and times for each of England's group stage games:
- England v Croatia - Weds, June 17 - 3pm local/9pm UK time
- England v Ghana - Tues, June 23 - 4pm local/9pm UK time
- Panama v England - Sat, June 27 - 5pm local/10pm UK time
Scotland are in Group C, with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
Here are the dates and times for each of Scotland's group stage games:
- Haiti v Scotland - Sat, June 13 - 9pm local/2am on Sun, June 14 UK time
- Scotland v Morocco - Fri, June 19 - 6pm local/11pm UK time
- Scotland v Brazil - Weds, June 24 - 6pm local/11pm UK time
Who is hosting the next World Cup in 2030?
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930, a special match and centennial celebration will be held in Uruguay, at the host stadium of the 1930 final, as well as one match each in Argentina and Paraguay.
This will be the first World Cup in Africa since 2010 and the first ever in North Africa.
Who do you think will win the World Cup? Let us know in the comments or the poll above.
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