Before diving headlong into our 2022 FIFA World Cup predictions - a competition that took place after all the qualifying rounds had been completed and a final draw had been made - the reality that 32 countries were taking part in this year's edition of the World Cup had to be faced. But that was only half the story. In a competition with a very recent past (the 2018 FIFA World Cup), that very immediate past served as a very good predictor of the future.
As we look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and New Zealand, there are a number of betting opportunities to consider. The competition runs from November 20 to December 2, 2026 and features 32 teams in 8 groups. There are 4 teams in each group, and they all play each other once at 12 venues in the United States, Mexico, and New Zealand. Only the top 2 teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. No team finishing 3rd will qualify. Our predictions and tips will be available for every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Betting Odds for the Soccer World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a huge number of teams to predict when it comes to betting on the competition. It doesn't help that the tournament begins with a group stage, with the top two teams from each of the 32 countries divided into eight divisions advancing to a knockout phase. To spice things up, the knockout stage of the World's Greatest Soccer Tournament will pit the other group winners and runners-up against each other to determine the eight teams that will advance to the semifinals.
The first FIFA World Cup to be played in the late calendar year will be in 2026. Players and bettors should evaluate the format and make their picks and predictions accordingly. This special edition of the tournament will not be played in the usual May to July time frame, when most soccer league seasons have concluded and temperatures are more moderate in most parts of the world. For this edition, there will be league play - both in the United States and in Europe - during the World Cup season, and there's no telling how high the temperatures might rise.
Every four years, the world pauses to watch the FIFA World Cup and make good-natured predictions about who will take home the trophy. Understandably, predictions about who will win the World Cup are some of the most widely made and debated about any sporting event. The predictions can be very serious, and when they do not pan out, the result is not pleasant for those who relied on them. As with any event you might consider betting on, there are services and websites that offer predictions for the World Cup. These can be used to hedge one's bets, or they can be used as a kind of star scrying. Here are some of the predictions being made for this year's tournament.
FIFA World Cup Favourites
Wondering how to make World Cup predictions that beat the odds? Be sure to note the start time for each match - 2pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). Research and insight into teams, player form, weather conditions and more can give you a leg up in the world of football betting! Remember, the more prepared you are, the better.
Are you thinking of making some FIFA World Cup betting picks? The Argentina vs. New Zealand match looks like an excellent option for a parlay!
When it comes to betting on FIFA World Cup matches, the prediction is that Argentina won't try to add to their tally once they've taken the lead. There are several reasons for this tactic, not least of which is the torturous path that awaits them in the knockout rounds if they make it past the group stage. But it is also about saving their legs and preserving their energy for the next matches that really matter and will really test them. In any case, betting against Argentina scoring more goals isn't a gimme. Tactically, they've done it in the past.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Each World Cup tournament spreads a four-year blanket. Beneath that blanket, many games are played to determine the teams that will emerge and compete. Think of the preliminaries as little World Cups - with the group winners advancing to, well, the World Cup. When it comes to pulling the confederation together, the host nation threads its own ball of yarn into the tapestry. Because of the unique combination of geography and the beautiful game, these are the spaces stitched into the World Cup by the various confederations, some with more than one thread, others with fewer.
- Asian Football Confederation (Asia): 4.5 (excluding host nation) Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF): 3.5 3.5 CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation): 4.5
World Cup History
When it comes to making predictions for the FIFA World Cup, a solid knowledge of World Cup history can be invaluable. Understanding which teams have triumphed in the past and what elements led to their success can provide analysts with insights into the likely outcomes of current matches. By studying the victories and defeats of the past, certain trends can be identified that can be used to make predictions about upcoming matches.
When it comes to betting on the FIFA World Cup, the host nation of the tournament is often taken into consideration. While the usual powerhouses of the game in Europe and South America are predicted to do well, more than a few sportsbooks are also eyeing the prospects of countries in Africa, North America, and Asia - the rising stars of the soccer world - where the betting action will take place.
In order to reliably predict the FIFA World Cup participants, it is necessary to understand the process by which teams from each confederation qualify. Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Central America and Oceania all have a certain number of World Cup places to allocate to their best teams. In the group stage, the teams within each group play each other once, with the top teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. These matches can go into extra time or even penalty kicks after 90 minutes of regular playing time if there is no winner. This is vital information to use in betting predictions, with the possible result that the next big World Cup winner could be right in your living room!
The teams most often predicted to win the FIFA World Cup are from Europe and South America, and for good reason. These two continents have produced the vast majority of the game's great players and teams. However, teams from other regions are making serious efforts to close the gap between themselves and their usual rivals, and this could lead to some surprises in the results. The history of the World Cup provides an interesting insight into power dynamics. But when it comes to predicting the outcome of a match, it's always best to keep an open mind!
Most Recent FIFA World Cup Winners and Runners-up
| Year | Host Nation | Winner | Runner-Up |
| 2022 | Qatar | Argentina | France |
| 2018 | Russia | France | Croatia |
| 2014 | Brazil | Germany | Argentina |
| 2010 | South Africa | Spain | Netherlands |
| 2006 | Germany | Italy | France |
| 2002 | South Korea & Japan | Brazil | Germany |
| 1998 | France | France | Brazil |
| 1994 | United States | Brazil | Italy |
| 1990 | Italy | West Germany | Argentina |
