Last Updated on 20/04/2026 by Andy Clark
England are second favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. With Spain ahead of them in the betting, Thomas Tuchel’s side are priced at around 11/2 with bet365 and 13/2 best price across the market — odds that give them an implied probability of roughly 13-15% of lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, 19th July.
Sixty years after 1966, the odds suggest this is as strong a chance as England has had. The squad is deep, the manager is world-class, and the group draw is genuinely manageable.
Here are all the latest England World Cup 2026 odds, what price they are to win the tournament, what the bookmakers think about their chances in each round, and our own assessment of where the value lies.
England World Cup 2026 Odds — Latest Prices
England to Win the World Cup 2026 — Best Odds
| Bookmaker | Odds |
|---|---|
| Best price | 6/1 |
| bet365 | 11/2 |
| Betfred | 6/1 |
| Boylesports | 6/1 |
| William Hill | 11/2 |
| Ladbrokes | 6/1 |
| Coral | 6/1 |
Odds correct at time of writing. Subject to change. 18+. T&Cs apply.
England are currently the second-favourite in the outright World Cup winner market, sitting just behind Spain. At 11/2 with bet365, the market is pricing them as genuine contenders — not favourites, but firmly in the front group with France, Brazil and Argentina.
World Cup 2026 Outright Odds — All Teams
England do not exist in isolation. To judge whether 11/2 represents value, you need to understand where they sit in the full picture.
| Nation | Odds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 9/2 | Favourites. Euro 2024 winners. Group H. |
| England | 6/1 | Second favourites. Group L. |
| France | 8/1 | 2022 runners-up. Group I with Haaland’s Norway. |
| Brazil | 8/1 | Five-time winners. Ancelotti in charge. Group C. |
| Argentina | 8/1 | Defending champions. Messi’s last tournament. |
| Portugal | 12/1 | Group K. Ronaldo’s likely farewell. |
| Germany | 14/1 | Group E. Back after disappointing recent tournaments. |
| Netherlands | 22/1 | Group F. Dangerous outsider. |
Spain’s status as favourites is well-earned — they are reigning European champions, ranked number one in the world by FIFA and possess arguably the most talented squad in the tournament in Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri and company. But the gap between them and England is narrow. Spain got the better of England in the Euro 2024 final though, and that will play on the minds of the England players if they got that far again.
Are England Favourites to Win the World Cup?
No — England are second favourites behind Spain. However, the gap between the two is small enough in betting terms that England are firmly part of the conversation.
Spain are around 9/2 to 5/1 depending on the bookmaker. England are 11/2 to 6/1. That is a difference of roughly 2-3 percentage points in implied probability. In tournament betting, that is a meaningful but not decisive gap — particularly given that Spain, for all their talent, have historically underperformed at World Cups outside of their 2010 triumph.
The bookies’ second favourites at a World Cup have a strong recent track record. In 2018, France won at around 6/1. Argentina won in 2022 at a similar price. Being the second pick in the market is not a bad place to be.
What Are the Odds of England Winning the World Cup?
At 11/2, the bookmakers are implying England have roughly a 15% chance of winning the 2026 World Cup. At best price (13/2), that implied probability drops to around 13%.
For context, only eight nations have ever won the World Cup. Before any recent edition of the tournament, the winner has typically been priced at 7/1 or shorter by the bookmakers, and nine of the last ten World Cups have been won by a team in that category. England qualify comfortably. The World Cup format has been extended now so there are more matches – it remains to be seen whether that helps or hinders the big nations at the tournament.
Implied probability at various odds
| Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|
| 9/2 | 18.2% |
| 5/1 | 16.7% |
| 11/2 | 15.4% |
| 6/1 | 14.3% |
| 13/2 | 13.3% |
| 8/1 | 11.1% |
| 10/1 | 9.1% |
England’s Chances of Qualifying from the Group Odds
England are in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. They are heavy favourites to top the group.
| Market | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| England to win Group L | 2/7 | bet365 |
| England to qualify from Group L | 1/66 | Betfred |
| England group stage exit | 18/1 | SpreadEx |
England vs Croatia odds (Wednesday 17th June, 9pm BST)
England open against Croatia — the team that knocked them out of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Tuchel’s side are strong favourites, but Croatia, led by captain Luka Modrić, are never easy to beat. Expect a competitive opening match.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| England to win | 8/11 |
| Draw | 3/1 |
| Croatia to win | 7/2 |
England vs Ghana odds (Tuesday 23rd June, 9pm BST)
Ghana are the weakest of England’s two genuinely difficult group opponents. Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham is their standout player. England should win this comfortably.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| England to win | TBC |
| Draw | TBC |
| Ghana to win | TBC |
Panama vs England odds (Saturday 27th June, 10pm BST)
Panama are England’s easiest group game. England beat them 6-1 in 2018 with Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick. Unless England have already qualified with rotation in mind, this should be a comfortable win.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| England to win | TBC |
| Draw | TBC |
| Panama to win | TBC |
A group stage exit is a remote possibility — bookmakers price it at around 18/1 — reflecting the fact that the expanded 48-team format means three teams qualify from most groups, making it very hard for a side of England’s quality to go out at the first stage.
England Odds at Each Stage — Stage of Elimination Markets
Where are England most likely to exit? The bookmakers have a clear view.
| Stage of Elimination | Odds |
|---|---|
| Group stage | 18/1 |
| Round of 32 | 9/2 |
| Round of 16 | 4/1 |
| Quarter-finals | 9/2 |
| Semi-finals | 5/1 |
| Runners-up (lose final) | 7/1 |
| Win the tournament | 6/1 |
The most likely round England will exit the 2026 World Cup, according to the bookmakers, is the Round of 16 at 4/1 — essentially the market saying England are most likely to progress through their group and the Round of 32, but come unstuck in the last 16 against a tougher opponent. Looking at England’s path to the World Cup final, they could play Mexico at the Azteca in the last 16.
This is consistent with England’s recent tournament history. They reached the quarter-finals in 2022 before losing to France. In 2018, they made the semi-finals. At Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, they reached the final. The trajectory suggests knockout rounds are where England belongs — the question is how deep.
England World Cup Semi-Final Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| England to reach the semi-finals | 8/5 |
| England to reach the final | 14/5 |
| England to win the tournament | 13/2 |
The semi-final market is where this England squad arguably represents its best betting value. Under Thomas Tuchel — a Champions League winner with proven knockout tournament pedigree — England are better prepared for the high-pressure single-elimination format than they have been under previous managers.
England World Cup Each-Way Betting
Each-way betting on the World Cup winner market pays out on the top two finishers — meaning you win the place part of your bet if England reach the final, regardless of the result. Most bookmakers offer 1/2 the odds for the place, so on a £10 each-way bet (£20 total stake) on England at 11/2:
- England win the tournament: Win part returns £65 profit + place part returns £32.50 profit = £97.50 profit
- England reach the final but lose: Win part lost + place part returns £32.50 profit = net +£12.50
- England exit before the final: Both parts lost = £20 lost
The each-way bet is a sensible play because reaching the final — finishing top two — is a realistic outcome for a squad of this quality. It cuts your downside significantly while still giving you a strong return if England go all the way. Always check the each-way terms before placing as they vary by bookmaker — some may offer top three or top four at specific prices around the tournament.
England World Cup 2026 Squad Betting
Beyond the outright winner market, there are individual England player markets worth exploring.
England top scorer at the World Cup 2026
Harry Kane is the standout candidate. England’s all-time record goalscorer with 78+ international goals, Kane won the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot with six goals. He is in outstanding form at Bayern Munich, scoring 30+ goals this season. He faces Panama in the group stage — a team he scored a hat-trick against in 2018.
| Player | Odds (England top scorer) |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 1/2 |
| Bukayo Saka | 8/1 |
| Jude Bellingham | 12/1 |
| Cole Palmer | 16/1 |
| Ollie Watkins | 25/1 |
England World Cup Golden Boot odds
Kane is also among the favourites for the tournament Golden Boot alongside Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
| Player | Country | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | France | 7/1 |
| Harry Kane | England | 7/1 |
| Erling Haaland | Norway | 14/1 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 12/1 |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | 18/1 |
Why England Could Win the World Cup 2026 — The Betting Case
There are five concrete reasons why 11/2 may be a price worth taking on England.
1. Thomas Tuchel is a different proposition to Gareth Southgate
Southgate was a good manager who took England to four semi-finals or better in consecutive tournaments. But his cautious style and tactical predictability were exposed in knockout games. Tuchel has won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. He is aggressive, tactically adaptable and has a track record of winning the matches that matter. That is precisely the upgrade England needed.
2. The draw is kind — winning the group is crucial
England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama. They should win Group L. And winning the group matters enormously — the knockout path as group winners is significantly kinder than finishing second (see our England World Cup kick-off times and path to the final).
As group winners, England avoid Spain, France and Argentina until at least the semi-finals. The bracket rewards topping the group with a third-placed team in the Round of 32 and a path that, on paper, avoids the very top seeds until the last four.
3. The squad is the most talented in a generation
Kane, Bellingham, Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Reece James. England have Premier League quality in every position and genuine world-class players in multiple areas. There is no obvious weak link in the starting XI Tuchel will select.
4. The 48-team format helps England
With 32 teams qualifying from the group stage and an extra round before the last 16, the risk of an early shock exit is lower than it has ever been. England can afford a slow start and still progress. The expanded format benefits the tournament’s strongest teams by giving them more matches before they face the elite.
5. Spain’s Rodri injury risk
Spain are favourites because they are the best team. But their system is built around Rodri — the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner and the engine of their midfield. He has been recovering from an ACL injury and other complications. If he is not fully fit for the tournament or misses games, Spain’s dominance in midfield is significantly reduced, and the gap between them and England narrows further.
Why England Might Not Win — The Sceptic’s View
The betting case against England is also real and worth acknowledging.
History and tournament psychology. England have not won the World Cup in 60 years. They have lost in the final of the last two European Championships. They missed a penalty against France in 2022 that would have levelled the game. Tournament pressure affects England in ways it does not affect Argentina, Spain or France, whose players are more conditioned to winning at the highest level.
The path to the final as runners-up is brutal. Finishing second in Group L means a 1am BST Round of 32 in Toronto, potentially against Columbia. Followed by a last 16 match against Spain, quarter final against Belgium, semi-final aganinst France and final against Argentina (if the tournament favourites all win their groups). The scheduling penalises second-placed teams significantly, and fatigue compounds across a 39-day tournament.
Spain are simply the best team. Lamine Yamal at 18, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams, Rodri (if fit), Dani Olmo — this is a generational squad, European champions, ranked number one in the world and managed by a coach who has drilled the same system from youth level. They are favourites for a reason.
France are underpriced. At around 15/2, France, with Mbappe in prime form, represents significant value. If you are backing England you are effectively also taking on France, Argentina and Brazil in the bracket. The odds compensate for that — but it is worth acknowledging.
England vs Spain — Who Do the Bookmakers Prefer?
| Nation | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | ~9/2 | ~18% |
| England | ~11/2 | ~15% |
The market gap between Spain and England is small — roughly 3 percentage points. Given that Spain also face Argentina and France in their potential bracket path, the gap may be slightly understated. England at 11/2+ could be a marginal value play relative to Spain at 9/2.
England World Cup 2026 Betting Tips — Our View
Best bet: England each-way at 11/2+
Taking England each-way at the best available price is our recommended play. At 1/2 the odds for the top two, you are essentially backing them to reach the final — a realistic target for a squad of this quality under a manager with Tuchel’s knockout pedigree. If they go on to win the tournament, the return at 11/2 is excellent.
Value bet: England to reach the semi-finals
This market should be available at most major bookmakers as a “stage of elimination” or “to reach semi-final” market. Expect prices around 8/5. Given the group draw, the squad quality and Tuchel’s pedigree, semi-final qualification feels like the realistic target.
Avoid: England not to qualify from the group
At around 18/1, this is not worth touching. The expanded format makes a group-stage exit extremely unlikely for a team of England’s quality.
Where to Bet on England to Win the World Cup
Before placing any World Cup bet, open accounts with multiple bookmakers to compare odds. Even a small difference — 11/2 vs 13/2 — represents a meaningful difference in return on a World Cup outright.
| Bookmaker | Offer | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Boylesports | Bet £10 Get £40 | GET OFFER |
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | GET OFFER |
| Betfred | Bet £10 Get £50 | GET OFFER |
| William Hill | Bet £10 Get £40 | GET OFFER |
| Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £30 | GET OFFER |
| Coral | Bet £5 Get £30 | GET OFFER |
18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
For World Cup-specific free bet offers, see our World Cup free bets page.
England World Cup Odds FAQs
What are the odds of England winning the World Cup 2026?
England are around 11/2 with bet365 and 6/1 best price to win the 2026 World Cup. That gives them an implied probability of approximately 13-15%. They are the second favourites in the market behind Spain.
Are England favourites to win the World Cup?
No. Spain are the favourites at around 9/2. England are second favourites. The gap between them is small — roughly 2-3 percentage points in implied probability.
What are England’s chances of qualifying from the group?
England are strong favourites to qualify from Group L. Their opponents are Croatia, Ghana and Panama. A group stage exit is priced at around 20/1 — a remote outcome given the strength of the squad and the expanded 48-team format which sees three teams progress from most groups.
What odds are England to win Group L?
England are around 2/5 to 2/7 to win Group L outright — strong favourites given the quality of their squad relative to Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
What are the odds on England not to qualify from the group?
England failing to qualify from Group L is priced at around 20/1 — reflecting how unlikely it is given the squad quality and the expanded format.
Who is the favourite to win the World Cup 2026?
Spain are the current favourites at around 9/2, followed by England at 11/2, France, Brazil and Argentina. See our full World Cup 2026 betting hub for the complete odds breakdown.
What is the best bet for England at the World Cup 2026?
Our recommended bet is England each-way at the best available price. At 1/2 odds for the top two, this returns a profit if England reach the final and a larger return if they win the tournament.
Can I bet on England winning the World Cup with a free bet?
Yes — any outright World Cup market is generally eligible for free bets at UK bookmakers. See our World Cup free bets page for current new customer offers. Using a free bet on an each-way England selection is a recommended approach — if England win the tournament, your free bet returns the full 11/2+ odds.
What are the World Cup 2026 semi-final odds for England?
England to reach the semi-finals is available as a “stage of elimination” market at most bookmakers. Prices vary — check the individual bookmaker sites or our World Cup hub for the latest.
More World Cup 2026 Betting
- World Cup 2026 Betting Hub — Full Odds & Predictions
- World Cup 2026 Tips & Match Previews
- England World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times & Path to the Final
- World Cup 2026 Free Bets & Offers
- Football Accumulator Tips
- Free Bets
- New Betting Sites 2026
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. Always check the bookmaker’s website for the latest prices. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org | GamCare.org.uk
Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.