World Cup
Europe set to steal the World Cup back from South America?
With excitement building ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, attention is already turning to the outright betting markets – and one of the most interesting angles is which continent will produce the eventual winner.
Historically, the tournament has been dominated by Europe and South America, and the odds once again reflect that familiar pattern heading into 2026. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the three main contenders in the “Winning Continent” market.
Europe – 1/3
Europe head into the 2026 World Cup as strong 1/3 favourites to produce the winning nation, and it’s hard to argue with that position given the depth of elite teams across the continent.
Leading the way in the outright market are Spain at 9/2, who have continued to evolve into one of the most complete international sides in world football, with their most recent major success coming at the 2024 European Championship. Close behind are England at 11/2, who boast a young, talented squad capable of going deep into the tournament once again. Then we have the 2022 World Cup winners, France, at 7/1.
Beyond those leading contenders, Europe’s strength lies in its depth. Teams such as Germany and Portugal are all capable of beating anyone on their day, making it incredibly likely that at least one European nation will be in the latter stages of the competition.
Given that strength in numbers and quality, it’s no surprise Europe are such short favourites in this market.
South America – 11/4
Despite Europe’s dominance in the betting, South America at 11/4 could represent excellent value for punters looking for an alternative. The continent has a rich World Cup history and continues to produce world-class talent.
Current holders Argentina are priced at 8/1 to retain their crown, while Brazil, five-time winners of the competition, are also available at the same odds. Both nations have squads packed with quality and the experience required to handle the pressures of tournament football.
It’s also worth noting the potential of emerging challengers such as Colombia and Uruguay. While they may be priced at bigger odds, both nations have shown over the years that they are more than capable of competing with the traditional powerhouses. Ecuador also have to be considered with world class talents such as Moisés Caicedo in the squad.
Given South America’s pedigree and the strength at the top, 11/4 could prove to be a very tempting price.
Rest of the World – 11/1
The “Rest of the World” category is priced at 11/1 and includes nations from North America, Africa, and Asia. While historically less successful in terms of lifting the trophy, there is a growing sense that the gap is beginning to close.
The shortest-priced team in this category is host nation United States at 50/1. With home advantage and a steadily improving squad, they could outperform expectations, although winning the tournament would still represent a major shock.
Elsewhere, African nations continue to make strides on the global stage. Teams like Morocco and Senegal have demonstrated their ability to compete with elite opposition and could spring a surprise by reaching the latter stages.
While 11/1 reflects the difficulty of a non-European or South American winner, the unpredictability of tournament football means this category cannot be completely dismissed.
Check out William Hill’s Preview & Predictions HERE
