This World Cup has already delivered incredible moments, and as the Round of 16 comes to a close with the quarterfinals beginning on July 9, it is a perfect time to take a closer look at the betting odds and the countries to watch moving forward.
First and foremost: France
France has been near the top of the betting board for most of the 2026 World Cup, overtaking Spain on June 15 after Spain’s tough draw against Cabo Verde and Vozinha.
Led by Kylian Mbappé, the current Golden Boot favorite with seven goals and two assists, France has enjoyed a relatively smooth tournament so far. The biggest scare came against massive underdog Paraguay in the Round of 16, but Mbappé delivered the winning goal to keep France alive.
The 2022 Golden Boot winner has once again been the engine of this French side, and France now sits at a +175 sportsbook consensus ahead of its quarterfinal matchup with Morocco.
The odds race remains tight behind France. Spain follows at +355, with reigning champion Argentina at +440 and England at +500. Each of these squads is a legitimate contender to win the 2026 World Cup, but the path forward will not be easy.
Spain and England both survived tight Round of 16 matchups decided by just one goal, while Argentina’s Round of 32 game also came down to a one-goal margin before their Round of 16 match kicked off. The field is tightening, the competition is getting tougher, and with a few rounds still left to play, there is no telling how the rest of the tournament will shake out.
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A few fringe contenders that should not be overlooked are Norway (+1600), Colombia (+2350), and Belgium (+2750).
While they remain underdogs, Norway has become especially intriguing behind Erling Haaland. He has powered Norway’s run with multiple goals in each outing and is currently tied for the Golden Boot lead. With that kind of scoring form, Norway has a real chance to keep this run going.
Belgium also made a major statement in the Round of 16, beating Team USA by three goals in one of its strongest performances of the tournament. Colombia is another team sitting in that dangerous long-shot range.
For bettors looking beyond the favorites, these three teams are worth keeping an eye on.
With the quarterfinals set to begin, the 2026 World Cup betting market feels more open than ever. France remains the team to beat, but Spain, Argentina, England, and several dangerous underdogs are still very much alive. The favorites have survived, the long shots are gaining momentum, and every match from here on out has the potential to completely shift the odds board. At this stage of the tournament, nothing is guaranteed.
