Spain have emerged as the leading contenders to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the latest tournament simulations conducted by Opta’s supercomputer, with England ranked only third despite their recent progress on the international stage.
The data-driven forecast places Spain at the top of the list with a 16.4 per cent probability of lifting the trophy in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The European champions are projected to outperform a field packed with traditional football powerhouses.
France, winners of the 2018 World Cup and runners-up four years later, were identified as the second-strongest title candidates. England followed in third place with an 11.3 per cent chance of ending their long wait for global success.
The projection will likely disappoint England supporters, who have been hoping for a breakthrough after a series of near misses in major competitions. The national team has not won a significant international title since its historic World Cup triumph in 1966.
That victory remains one of the most celebrated moments in English football history, with Bobby Moore captaining the side and Geoff Hurst scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany at Wembley Stadium.
Defending champions Argentina were ranked fourth in Opta’s model, receiving a 10.4 per cent chance of retaining the title secured in Qatar in 2022.
Portugal completed the top five favourites with a 6.9 per cent probability. The tournament is expected to be one of the final opportunities for veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo to challenge for the only major honour missing from his distinguished career.
Brazil, the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles, were assigned a 6.7 per cent chance of winning after struggling to convince during the qualification phase.
Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium also featured among the top 10 teams most likely to challenge for the title.
Among the three host countries, the United States received the strongest backing from the supercomputer, with a higher likelihood of making a deep run in the tournament than Canada or Mexico.
Scotland, meanwhile, failed to make Opta’s list of the 20 most probable World Cup winners, highlighting the competitive landscape ahead of football’s premier event.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
