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The bracket for the knockout stage is now set at the 2026 World Cup, and each match moving forward is now a win-or-go-home scenario. When perusing the bracket, there are certainly teams that have a better chance than others to be crowned champions at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
France and Argentina are the favorites to win the World Cup after meeting in the 2022 World Cup Final. Although a rematch is certainly possible, there are other teams to consider as well.
With the intensity being ramped up, we’ll break down our top World Cup winner predictions and their payouts on PrizePicks Team Picks. Plus, we’ll discuss a potential dark-horse World Cup team to win it all.
Make your 2026 World Cup Knockout Stage predictions on PrizePicks now!
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2026 World Cup Favorites, Winner Payouts
As the Round of 32 gets underway, the usual nations are favored to win the 2026 World Cup. This includes France, Argentina, Spain, England, Portugal, and Brazil.
Below are the payout multipliers for the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 35 states.
Find World Cup winner picks on PrizePicks Team Picks on the app by going to World Cup, then Team Futures, then the 2026 World Cup Winner market.
- France: Yes 3.7x | No 1.26x
- Argentina: Yes 4x | No 1.21x
- England: Yes 7.69x | No 1.07x
- Spain: Yes 7.69x | No 1.07x
- Portugal: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x
- Brazil: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x
- Netherlands: Yes 14.28x | No 1.03x
- Germany: Yes 16.66x | No 1.02x
- USA: Yes 16.66x | No 1.01x
Payouts listed below indicate real-money earnings if a prediction is correct on PrizePicks; for example, a 2x on a $100 entry would pay out $200 on PrizePicks Team Picks. The lower the payout multiplier, the higher the chance of the outcome occurring, according to user picks.
Make your 2026 World Cup Winner Predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks!
Will Argentina Win the World Cup?
Argentina to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 4x | No 1.21x
Only two nations have won back-to-back World Cups (Italy and Brazil), and the last time it occurred was in 1962. This led some to refrain from backing Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup as the reigning champs.
Despite history being against them, Argentina has shown no signs of taking their foot off the gas after securing FW Lionel Messi an elusive World Cup title in 2022. Messi is playing in his final World Cup at 39 years old, but he’s been masterful so far, leading the tournament with 6 goals.
Aside from Messi, La Albiceleste has an accomplished manager in Lionel Scaloni, and plenty of the members of the 2022 squad are still on the roster. In addition to Argentina being one of just three teams to go a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage, they are one of three teams (alongside Spain and England) to be top 11 in xG (5.7) and top five in xG conceded (1.6), per FotMob.
It certainly helps Argentina that their potential path to the World Cup Final could feature Cape Verde, Egypt, Colombia, and Brazil/England.
Back Argentina to Win World Cup 2026 on PrizePicks Team Picks!
Spain to Win World Cup 2026?
Spain to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 7.69x | No 1.07x
Before the 2026 World Cup began, Spain was my pick to win the entire tournament, and nothing has happened to alter my initial prediction. While a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde wasn’t ideal, Spain was one of just two teams (Mexico being the other) to keep three clean sheets in the group stage.
Additionally, La Roja is still arguably the deepest team in the tourney, and they’ve yet to really unleash RW Lamine Yamal. Manager Luis de la Fuente has eased Yamal back into action after he dealt with a hamstring injury to conclude the La Liga campaign for Barcelona, as he’s made just two starts and hasn’t played more than 76 minutes in a match at the World Cup.
Along with Yamal, Spain features ST Mikel Oyarzabal, ST Ferran Torres, CM Pedri, CM Rodri, RB Pedro Porro, RB Marcos Llorente, CB Aymeric Laporte, and LB Marc Cucurella. Entering the knockout stage, Spain has the most possession (69.4%), the most accurate passes per match (651.7), and the fourth-best xG difference (4.7) among all teams.
One of the only downsides for Spain is the fact that they may need to overcome France to advance to the World Cup Final.
Make your Spain picks for World Cup 2026 on PrizePicks now!
Is Brazil Dark Horse to Win the World Cup?
Brazil to Win 2026 World Cup: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x
Japan is far from an easy matchup in the Round of 32 for Brazil, but manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side looks up to the task entering the knockout stage. Following a shaky start in their 1-1 draw against Morocco, Brazil turned it up a notch, taking care of business with 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland.
Across the first three matches of the tourney, LW Vinícius Júnior is tied with ST Kylian Mbappé, RW Ousmane Dembélé, and ST Erling Haaland for the second-most goals scored (4). ST Matheus Cunha is also in fantastic form, delivering 3 goals as an effective No. 2 option alongside Vini Jr.
Only Canada (who has played an extra game) has more xG (8.8) than Brazil (7.3), and they haven’t coughed up a goal since the 21st minute of their opening match against Morocco. Brazil hasn’t struggled to generate scoring opportunities, ranking eighth in shots on target per match (6.3) and sixth in big chances created (12).
While Brazil may not be considered a “dark horse” by name, they aren’t being picked much to win it all, with France, Spain, and Argentina rightfully getting attention. Chalk also tends to hit often at the World Cup, and there aren’t many long shots that stand out as viable options to win.
Will Brazil contend march to the World Cup Final? Take your side on PrizePicks Team Picks!
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Make Your World Cup 2026 Predictions on PrizePicks
Only eight nations have won the World Cup, and a handful of those previous winners are in contention for the 2026 World Cup. Will Argentina, Spain, or Brazil be adding another World Cup title to their trophy case?
Regardless of the outcome for the 2026 World Cup, there are plenty of potential high-octane matchups that could take shape in the coming rounds. Superstars continue to shine bright, meaning more special performances should be ahead at World Cup 2026.
You can make your World Cup winner predictions and more World Cup picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money on World Cup games.
Make World Cup predictions on game winners, World Cup futures, players, over/unders, and more — now available in 35 states. Or pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats like shots or goals, and cash in if you’re correct.
Stick with the Playbook for continued World Cup predictions, picks, and analysis through the end of the tournament.
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