Title holders four years ago after their 2018 coronation in Russia, the French team almost managed to retain their possession, failing at the end against Argentina in the final of the 2022 Qatari World Cup. Four years later, Didier Deschamps’ men are there to compete in the 2026 World Cup. The predictions do not make them the overwhelming favorites.
In the game of predictions, it was Opta who stuck to it this time. Thanks to its supercomputer, the site specializing in statistics tried to guess in advance which nations would be most likely to win the World Cup organized jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico. And the result fell for the Blues, who came in second place among the favorites for the title.
No less than 10,000 simulations were launched to arrive at this prediction and many others. The French thus have 13% of adding a third star to their jersey. As for the designated favorite, it is Spain, world champion for the first and only time in its history in 2010. La Roja, which still hopes for a rapid return of Lamine Yamal, obtains 16.1%.
2026 World Cup, Opta delivers its favorites
The podium of potential winner predictions is completed by England with 11.2%. As for the Argentinian title holders, they remain in ambush in fourth place (10.4%). Behind, the gap is made with Portugal and its 7%, ahead of Brazil at 6.6% and Germany (5.1%). Semi-finalist of the Qatari edition, Morocco surprisingly failed quite far with a twelfth place and an extremely low score: 1.9%.
While waiting to know the real winner of this 23rd edition of the World Cup, the nations concerned continue to prepare until the last moment. For the Blues, there are still two friendly matches to play on June 4 and 8, respectively against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland. They will start the World Cup on June 16 against Senegal (9 p.m.).
