2026 World Cup Bracket Picks, Futures Market Odds & Best Bets

By Sarah Lou Jones | May 19, 2026, 12:32pm

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching! I’ve explored the potential pathways for each World Cup side and analyzed the Rounds where each team could reach. You can see my choices in the explanations are below.

I’ve also examined sportsbook World Cup odds looking for the best value bets for Futures markets. Read my thoughts and best bets below.

2026 World Cup To Reach Last 16 Odds & Best Bets

According to my World Cup 2026 bracket, my predictions to reach the Round of 16 consist of the following:

I’m not expecting too many shocks when it comes to which nations will reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. While it’s a little difficult to assess which best third place ranked teams will face who in the Round of 32, the potential Round of 16 teams is likely to be reasonably straightforward to predict.

As such, though, finding value is a little more difficult. Odds on the favorites don’t present much betting value at all. However, there are a couple of prices I like the look of. Morocco are priced at around +125 to reach the last 16, as are the USA, Uruguay, Mexico and Japan.

For my best bet, I’m looking at co-hosts USA. I think the United States will win Group D. If they do, they’re likely to face one of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Senegal or Algeria. With this Round of 32 game due to be played in Santa Clara, a roaring home crowd should help spur the USA into the Round of 16.

Best Bet: USA to Reach The Last 16 (+125)

2026 World Cup To Reach Quarter Final Odds & Best Bets

If my World Cup 2026 bracket is accurate (and I for one think it will be!), we’re in for some incredible Quarter Final fixtures! I think France, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Morocco, Croatia,Argentina and Portugal will be the sides who make it to the last eight.

Looking at the odds available on teams to reach the Quarter Final stage, there’s some prices that have caught my eye. As I touched upon earlier, I’m expecting Morocco to reach the latter stages, but it’s the odds on Croatia to reach the last eight that have attracted me.

While many are thinking England will win Group L, for me Croatia will top the Group. If so, they’re likely to face Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uzbekistan or Algeria in the Round of 32. I’d expect Croatia to ease through to the Round of 16 stage, where co-hosts Mexico will be their likely opponents. A tougher game, sure, but Croatia should book their place in the Quarter Finals. Odds of +400 for the European side to do that present fantastic betting value.

Best Bet: Croatia to Reach The Quarter Finals

2026 World Cup To Reach Semi Final Odds & Best Bets

With high-profile clashes in the Quarter Final stage, some huge teams will be eliminated from the tournament. Working through the likely fixtures and results of the previous Rounds, my Semi-Final prediction is:

France vs Spain
Morocco vs Argentina

Current odds put Spain as favorites to reach the Semi Final. Most sportsbooks have pricedSpain at around +100 to be in the last four. 2022 Finalists France is priced at +130, with reigning Champions Argentina priced at +190. Morocco are priced at around +1000 to reach the last four.

It’s clear where the value lies. If we look at Morocco’s potential run to the Semi Final, it’s true they’re likely to face some difficult challenges. We believe Morocco will win Group C, which means their run to the Semi Final will likely consist of matches against the Netherlands,Norway and Croatia. Tough games, yes, but Morocco are one of the most underrated sides in this World Cup. They also reached the Semi Finals in 2022, I’m predicting a second consecutive Semi Final appearance for Mohamed Ouahbi’s side.

Best Bet: Morocco to Reach The Semi Finals

2026 World Cup To Reach Final Odds & Best Bets

Looking at the odds on my Semi Final picks to reach the 2026 World Cup Final, we see that Spain have been priced at +220, France at +300, Argentina at +400 and Morocco at a huge +2200.

Working through my World Cup bracket, the 2026 Final will be a repeat of the 2022 edition with France taking on Argentina. While Spain is currently the favorite to win the 2026 WorldCup, I think the strength in depth of this France squad will dismantle the current European Championship holders. In the second potential Semi Final, as much as I admire Morocco and believe they’ll go far in this tournament, I doubt they’ll get past the last four.

France is my pick to win the World Cup. Odds of +300 for Didier Deschamps’ side to reach the Final represent reasonable value.

Best Bet: France to Reach The World Cup Final

2026 World Cup Name the Finalists Odds & Best Bets

The Name the Finalists market can provide excellent betting value. My Final picks areFrance and Argentina – odds of +2000 are available on this outcome.

This market can also offer opportunities to hedge our bets a little. If Spain beat France in theSemi Final, odds of +1600 are available on a Spain v Argentina final. Similarly, if Morocco become the first African side to reach a World Cup Final, odds of +20000 are available on aFrance v Morocco Final.

Now, let’s say Morocco doesn’t perform as well as I expect them to. If Brazil finish top ofGroup C, they’re likely to reach the Semi Final. Brazil v Argentina – what a Semi Final that would be! If this is the case and Brazil wins, odds of +2000 are available on a France vBrazil Final.

The sportsbook’s choice is an England v Spain Final, with odds of +1400 on offer. Now, if this Final is to come to fruition, England would need to have won Group L, something I expect Croatia to do.

Best Bet: France and Argentina to be World Cup Finalists (+2000)

2026 World Cup Stage of Elimination Odds & Best Bets

The Stage of Elimination market is another which can provide lots of opportunities to find betting value. If we compare Stage of Elimination odds to my World Cup bracket, there’s a number of options that stand out.

Odds on Czechia to be eliminated in the Round of 16 are around +425. I’m expecting Czechia to face Canada in the Round of 32, with the co-hosts losing this fixture. In their Round of 16 fixture, Czechia are likely to face Brazil. The South Americans are most likely to progress.

If Croatia win Group L, which I expect them to, it’s likely they’ll reach the Quarter Final stage. Games against Algeria in the Round of 32 and Mexico in the Round of 16 have the most potential to occur. However, the Quarter Final will see Croatia play Morocco (or potentiallyBrazil) – I struggle to see the Europeans beating either of these sides.

Odds for Croatia to be eliminated in the Quarter Finals are currently around +800.I expect England to finish as Group L runners up. This would be potentially hugely tricky ties in the Knockout Stages. The Round of 32 is likely to see Thomas Tuchel’s side up againstColombia. If England get through this Round, they’ll probably face Spain in the Round of 16 -an incredibly tough tie. Odds on England to be eliminated at the Round of 16 stage are currently +350.

Best Bet: Croatia Stage of Elimination Quarter Finals (+800)

Photo Credit: AP/Thibault Camus

Sarah Lou Jones

Sarah Lou Jones is a sports content writer who has written about sports and casino betting for websites across the globe. Her work has been featured in online publications from the UK, USA and Canada, along with East Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe. While Sarah Lou enjoys a wide range of sports and events, her passion lies in soccer. She has written extensively about betting on soccer leagues and tournaments, ranging from the FIFA World Cup and AFCON to the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. Sarah Lou is an expert in odds analysis and finding value in betting. Away from content writing, Sarah Lou is a soccer coach for Manchester Laces, based in the UK. Sarah lives in Manchester and is an avid supporter of Premier League club Manchester City.