2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinal Contenders: Latest Odds and Insights
Who Are the Leading Contenders for the 2026 World Cup Semifinals?
With 48 teams vying for glory, reaching the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a feat in itself. After the grueling group stages and knockout rounds, only four countries will stand just two wins away from claiming the most prestigious trophy in football.
Which nations are currently viewed as favorites to make it that far? Here’s a look at the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 17.
Key Observations From the Odds
- Top Contenders: Spain, France, Portugal, England, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany lead the board with odds under +330. Together, these seven have appeared in 39 World Cup semifinals and boast six former champions among them.
- Noteworthy Shifts: Argentina's chances improved significantly, moving from +260 to +180 after Lionel Messi's historic first career hat trick powered a 3-0 win over Algeria. Norway also climbed to +600 following their commanding 4-1 victory against Iraq. Meanwhile, Portugal’s odds slipped slightly from +175 to +190 after a draw with DR Congo.
- Underdog Success: Morocco made history in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals, despite starting as a massive underdog at 200-1 odds. Their chances for 2026 have improved from +1000 to +800 after a strong opening draw against Brazil, hinting that another surprise run might be possible.
With so many talented teams in the mix, the race to the final four is wide open. Some long shots could surprise us again, and we think the storylines in the coming months will be exciting to follow.
