Opta’s Supercomputer has weighed in on the favorites for the World Cup 2026, set to take place in North America this summer. The analysis highlights Spain, France, and England as the leading contenders, with Spain taking the top spot.

• Spain holds a 16% chance of winning the tournament and a 25.1% chance of reaching the final.
• France follows closely with a 12.9% chance of claiming victory.
• England is given a 10.8% chance, narrowly edging out current champions Argentina, who sit at 10.1%.

The full top ten predictions also mention Belgium and Norway as potential dark horses, especially with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard representing Norway.

As the tournament kicks off, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match, the stakes are high for players aiming for individual accolades.

The Ballon d’Or often rewards standout performances in major tournaments, making this World Cup pivotal for many stars. For instance:

• A win for France could boost Ousmane Dembele or Kylian Mbappe, the latter having already made history with a 2018 win and a 2022 hat-trick.
• For England, Harry Kane might emerge as a strong contender if his team succeeds.
• Lamine Yamal could rise as a candidate for Spain.
• Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo looks to make a memorable exit in what is likely his last international tournament, while Vitinha could also be in contention after his success with PSG.