Less than a month before the opening whistle of the 2026 World Cup, the debate over who will lift the Cup on July 19 dominates world football. Only eight teams have managed to be crowned champions in history and, according to different analyzes supported by artificial intelligence, Six teams are the big favorites to win the title this year.
France and Spain appear as the most complete teams at the moment. The French arrive with nine victories in their last ten games and the experience of playing in two consecutive finals, led by Mbappé and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Spain, on the other hand, boasts the strongest football in the tournament after winning the Nations League, the Euro Cup and the Olympic Games in just four years, although the youth of its squad still raises doubts in maximum pressure matches.
Argentina will try to become the first two-time world champion since Brazil in 1962. The Albiceleste arrives with four consecutive international titles, an accessible group and Lionel Messi playing in what could be his last World Cup.
Portugal also appears among the favorites thanks to the most complete squad in its history, with figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 years old continues to be decisive in key matches.
England and Brazil complete the list of candidates. The English advanced undefeated in the standings, with eight wins and no goals conceded, driven by Kane, Saka and Bellingham, although they still carry decades of frustrations in major tournaments.
Brazil, for its part, arrives with more doubts after an irregular South American qualifying round and four coaches in four years, but the talent of its figures keeps alive the hope of winning a sixth world title.
This is what the AI says
Basis of analysis
- France: 9/10 wins in last games. Two consecutive world finals. Group I accessible with Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
- Spain: 3 international titles in 4 years. Second in FIFA ranking. Group H with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
- Argentina: Current champion. 4 consecutive international titles. Group J, along with Algeria, Austria and Jordan.. Messi as the main figure.
- England: 8/8 wins in qualifying. Group L favorable. Historical dependence on Kane as the only offensive plan.
- Portugal: Recent champion of Nations League 2025. Group K, along with Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan. Cristiano Ronaldo as leader.
- Brazil: 4 technicians in 4 years. Fifth in South American qualifiers. Vinicius Jr. as the only offensive certainty.