World Cup 2026: Our Experts Share Their World Cup Picks
There are few sporting events that rival the FIFA World Cup, and this year, all eyes will be on North America, as Mexico, Canada, and the United States hosts the biggest event on the calendar.
With 48 teams involved and 104 matches played during this year’s competition, it is the biggest World Cup in history. Therefore, the World Cup will be one of the biggest betting events in history.
Fortunately, our experts are on hand to share their picks for the 2026 World Cup, including selections for a winner, Golden Boot, and nations that could outperform or underperform their odds. Find the selections of the VegasOdds team here.
World Cup Expert Picks: Who Will Win The World Cup?
Alex: France, England, and Argentina could all be vulnerable at the top of the betting, with the climate likely to go against many of the European nations. However, one team that it could suit is Roberto Martinez’s Portugal.
Led by the best number ten in world soccer this season, Bruno Fernandes, the nation has a stacked squad brimming with world-class talent from top to bottom. How Martinez deals with the noise around Cristiano Ronaldo will be fascinating.
But the bracket could open up for them, with a fascinating clash against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the round of 16 and a collision with England in the quarterfinals. At the odds, they are my main choice.
Nikola: We didn’t speak about this one, but Alex and I share the same opinion, though for different reasons. The Portuguese team has an ideal balance, with each line on the field equally strong and players who know their roles. It’s not all about Cristiano anymore, but about the team in general.
Also, the majority of their players are coming relatively fresh, without demanding seasons (apart from Vitinha and Mendes). Many of the Portuguese starters didn’t require any extra effort in the previous several weeks because their teams didn’t have too many important games.
World Cup Expert Picks: Who Will Win The Golden Boot?
Alex: Harry Kane would be an interesting selection if there was a guarantee he would play in England’s MD3 clash with Panama. However, since the Three Lions may have progressed already, the striker will likely be rested. Therefore, at a price, Kai Havertz could be of interest.
The German has a reliable record for the national team, scoring seven in his last 15 appearances. Havertz could open the campaign with a couple of goals against Curacao, before netting in a win against the Ivory Coast.
Nikola: Messi. Why? First of all, he’s magical, and second, remember what we said about the officiating and how it helped the Argentinians win the previous World Cup. Messi scored 4 times from the penalty spot in Qatar. Needless to say more.
Group stage rivals aren’t that tough, and Argentina should routinely beat them with Alvarez and Messi leading the way and setting up goals for one another. With two or three games in the knockout rounds, where his chances of scoring are even better than in the group stage Messi could get the Golden Boot.
World Cup Expert Picks: A Potential Longshot
Alex: I really liked Japan to go deep in the tournament, but Kaoru Mitoma’s injury has seen my faith in them dwindle. Senegal could be of interest, they produced a stunning display against England at the City Ground last summer, and if they can recapture that level and France aren’t at 100%, then the African nation could top Group I.
Achieving that feat would open up the bracket, and a potential route to the semi-finals becomes attainable. Ecuador will also surprise a few fans.
Nikola: This team is very good. Sure, their qualifiers weren’t that demanding, but overall, Norway plays open and aggressive football. Haaland and Odegaard are in the middle of the attention, yet there are plenty more good players – Sorloth, Bobb, Ryerson, etc, all of the standard and indispensable in their respective clubs.
Also, if they end second in Group I, their potential rivals in the first knockout round are Ecuador or the Ivory Coast. After that, anything is possible.
World Cup Expert Picks: Biggest Disappointment?
Alex: World Cup winners have a poor record when defending their title, and the mood around the Argentina camp is likely to be low given the news that Lionel Messi picked up an injury for Inter Miami. They should still top Group J, but their defense could end at the hands of Messi’s former foe, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the quarterfinals.
Nikola: England. From what I saw during the recent friendlies, this team won’t go too far at this World Cup. Tuchel won the UCL with Chelsea and ultra-defensive tactics, but that happened once. It seems the German is again applying the same tactics with the English national team. Even though Three Lions have plenty of offensive potential, that’s going to stay inhibited under Tuchel’s rigid tactics.
This generation missed a good chance to win the 2021 or 2024 Euros when they had a much better, more creative midfield. Now, under Tuchel, and on the other continent, England could turn out to be a big bust and end their participation in the quarterfinals.
