Four major teams eliminated: Latest top 8 World Cup 2026 title contenders revealed after completion of round 2 in all 12 groups.
On 24 June 2026 GMT+7, Opta, a leading football statistics expert, released the latest predictions from their supercomputer on which nation has the highest chance of winning the 2026 World Cup after all 48 teams completed their second group stage matches across all 12 groups.
It turns out the defending champion Argentina has risen from third to first favorite to win the 2026 World Cup after winning both matches in Group J, becoming one of seven teams already qualified for the next round, edging France—who also won both matches in Group I—down to second favorite.
Meanwhile, Spain, returning to strong form by thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 after drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde in their first match in Group H, has climbed to third favorite, pushing England—who beat Croatia 4-2 before drawing 0-0 with Ghana in Group L—down to fourth.
Portugal, after demolishing Uzbekistan 5-0 following a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Group K, has risen to fifth favorite, contrasting with Germany, who won both matches in Group E but fell to sixth favorite.
Norway, having won both matches in Group I, has jumped to seventh favorite, overtaking Brazil, who recently returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Haiti in Group C, dropping Brazil to eighth.
1st favorite: Argentina 15.46% (previously 3rd)
2nd favorite: France 15.06% (previously 1st)
3rd favorite: Spain 12.48% (previously 4th)
4th favorite: England 9.48% (previously 2nd)
5th favorite: Portugal 6.71% (previously 6th)
6th favorite: Germany 6.60% (previously 5th)
7th favorite: Norway 5.42% (previously 8th)
8th favorite: Brazil 4.56% (previously 7th)