The 2026 World Cup has arrived — it’s the summer of soccer in North America. Our staff has previewed every World Cup group, analyzed the World Cup favorites, and broken down the top goal scorers — from Kylian Mbappe to Lionel Messi.
But as the World Cup opening match on June 11 nears, the bell tolls. Now is the time for our soccer experts to make their official World Cup winner predictions.
Spain, Argentina, France, and England all earned staff support for the World Cup Final. Some are backing Spain’s depth and young stars like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, while others see Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez leading Argentina on another deep run.
France’s loaded attack and England’s quest to finally break through also earned plenty of love.
Below, find our staff’s final 2026 World Cup winner predictions, then head to PrizePicks to make your World Cup picks on players and teams to enter for a shot to win World Cup Final tickets.
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All World Cup predictions are the opinions of writers who are not investment professionals. Picks are NOT based on PrizePicks Team Picks payout multipliers, and are NOT recommendations to trade.
Skyler Carlin’s 2026 World Cup Prediction: Spain def. Argentina
Spain to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 3.03x | No 1.35x
Argentina to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 4.34x | No 1.17x
Besides getting a favorable draw in Group H, Spain is relentless on the attack and disciplined on defense. Additionally, no team has more depth than Spain in this tournament.
As for Argentina, some are hesitant to take the reigning champs to advance to another final. However, despite Lionel Messi not playing at the same level he did in 2022, Argentina still has an in-form Julian Alvarez leading the attack.
Getting Lamine Yamal against Messi in his final World Cup would be quite the spectacle.
2026 World Cup Winner Prediction: Spain
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When dissecting this year’s World Cup potential bracket, it was tough not to eat the chalk and back Spain. Even if Yamal needs to be eased back into action after ending the La Liga campaign with a hamstring injury for Barcelona, Spain has enough firepower to dominate any opponent.
Under manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain has an embarrassment of riches in attack, and they’re always pushing for scoring chances. In addition to Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal is a lethal goal-scoring threat.
Find more World Cup predictions by Skyler Carlin here
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Anthony Blanco’s World Cup Prediction: France def. England
France to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 3.33x | No 1.29x
England to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 4.34x | No 1.19x
After falling to Argentina in the 2022 Final, France enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites to win the tournament, boasting arguably the most talented squad in the competition. Manager Didier Deschamps has added a wave of young talent to an already experienced core that has important World Cup experience.
Relative to the top favorites, England is an unpopular pick to reach the World Cup Final, let alone win it outright. I'm looking for the Three Lions to finally get over the hump and reach their first World Cup Final since 1966 under the guidance of elite manager Thomas Tuchel.
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Tuchel has a proven ability to get the best out of his players, even when the squad isn't the most talented on paper. England certainly has enough quality, and this could be the tournament where it all clicks.
2026 World Cup Winner Prediction: France
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Michael Olise and Desire Doue give Les Bleus an extra dimension in attack that could ultimately prove to be the difference in the World Cup Final.
Deschamps’ two youngsters join a front line that already includes Golden Boot favorite Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and back-to-back Champions League winner.
While there are some defensive concerns, particularly with defender William Saliba not fully fit, France have more than enough quality to reach their third consecutive World Cup Final and claim their second title in that span.
Find more World Cup predictions by Anthony here
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Jason Ence’s World Cup Prediction: Spain def. Argentina
Spain to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 3.03x | No 1.35x
Argentina to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 4.34x | No 1.17x
If the World Cup plays out as I expect, Argentina will have a very favorable path to the World Cup Final. Julian Alvarez is in outstanding form, Lionel Messi is still Messi, and their midfield is one of the better units in the tournament.
I’m expecting them to win Group J, get past the United States and Portugal, and then escape against an Ecuador side that they’ve battled closely in the past few years.
Spain will have a tougher road once they get out of a very favorable Group H, and will likely have to overcome France in the semi-finals. Their depth will offset the lengthy travel distances they’ll encounter in the knockout rounds, and Pedri and Lamine Yamal will shine.
2026 World Cup Winner Prediction: Spain
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In the end, Spain will lift the World Cup trophy for the second time in the tournament’s history. Depth and cover will be more important than ever considering the travel and weather challenges, and no team has more world-class talent at more positions than La Roja.
They are nearly two-deep at every position, and their bench will be better than nearly every other nation.
The midfield duo of Rodri and Pedri will boss the tempo, while Yamal’s wicked left foot will cause serious problems for everyone they face. Mikel Oyarzabal has proven to be a clutch goalscorer, and the Spanish have plenty of attacking talent to bring off the bench to make an impact on a tight match.
Spain will pressure teams into submission, pass them into exhaustion, and overcome the heat and the travel to add the World Cup to their 2024 European Championship victory.
Find more World Cup predictions by Jason Ence here
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Chris Wassel’s World Cup Final Prediction: Argentina vs. England
Argentina to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 4.34x | No 1.17x
England to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 4.34x | No 1.19x
As impressive as Spain is, there is one difference between them and Argentina. Argentina finds ways to win when it counts.
Since 2021, Argentina has lifted two Copa América titles and a World Cup, and that 2022 final against France showed exactly why this group is so hard to kill. They gave up a late Mbappé flurry, went 120 minutes, then still handled penalties 4-2. They’re a team that can travel.
Argentina isn’t afraid to get into an offensive track meet. With Julian Alvarez scoring goals, Lionel Messi still pulling strings, and Lautaro Martinez fresh off scoring the 2024 Copa América final winner, Argentina should cruise past Group J and have the mettle to get past teams like Portugal and France.
Then there is England. Everyone thinks this will be the time. The English side has legs to stand on, even though they have not tasted World Cup glory since 1966.
Harry Kane always finds ways to score goals — after all, he just scored 61 for Bayern Munich this season in all competitions. Jude Bellingham is lethal in the midfield, and Declan Rice can create on both ends of the pitch.
The Three Lions have depth, and that heartbreaking 2022 quarterfinal loss to France is sure to put a sour taste in their mouth. Seeing England in the Final would be quite a sight.
2026 World Cup Winner Prediction: Argentina
Argentina to Win the World Cup: Yes 8.33x | No 1.06x
Brazil was the last to repeat as World Cup champions in 1962. Every team has a fatal flaw, but teams like Argentina can play in any summer conditions.
Under manager Lionel Scaloni, Argentina has experienced considerable success, including the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles. This team will constantly press for goals. In addition to Messi and Alvarez, Scaloni has the resolve to guide Argentina to glory once more.
Find more predictions by Chris Wassel here
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Make 2026 World Cup Winner Predictions on PrizePicks
Our staff is split on who will win the 2026 World Cup, but the favorites are clear: Spain, Argentina, France, and England all have the star power, depth, and tournament pedigree to make a real run to the World Cup Final.
With PrizePicks available in all 50 states, now it’s your turn to make World Cup predictions. On PrizePicks, you can make 2026 World Cup picks all tournament long by picking players and predicting More or Less on projections like shots, goals, saves, and more.
With PrizePicks Team Picks, you can also make predictions on winners, spreads, and total goals in over 35 states — including World Cup futures markets throughout the tournament.
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