The 2026 World Cup draw takes place on Friday, so find out how to watch it, which teams are involved and who people are backing to win the trophy next summer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The 2026 World Cup is being held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, with the ceremony expected to begin at 5pm UK time on Friday 4th December 2025.
Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and the Village People are all lined up to perform as part of the event, so it may be that the draw itself won’t take place till nearer 5.30pm.
Where can I watch the World Cup draw?
The BBC have the rights to the World Cup draw, so you can watch it for free on either the iPlayer or on BBC Two from 5pm on Friday.
Who are favourites to win the World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup betting is wide open, with Spain heading the odds at the time of the draw. England are second favourites to finally end what will be 60 years of hurt, with France and Brazil next in the betting.
Despite co-hosting the tournament and being named in the first pot of seeds, USA (80/1), Mexico (100/1) and Canada (250/1), aren’t expected to reach the latter stages.
Defending champions Argentina are only fifth favourites to make it back-to-back victories, while dark horses include Norway at 33/1 and even Senegal at 200/1.
| World Cup Contenders | World Cup odds | % chance of winning |
| Spain | 5/1 | 17% |
| England | 13/2 | 13% |
| France | 7/1 | 12% |
| Brazil | 8/1 | 11% |
| Argentina | 8/1 | 11% |
| Portugal | 12/1 | 8% |
| Germany | 14/1 | 7% |
| Netherlands | 20/1 | 5% |
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Who are people backing to win the World Cup?
Leading UK betting site bet365 have provided us with some insight as to who are proving the most popular punts ahead of the World Cup draw. bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth talks us through the findings.
“The money for current favourites Spain is predictable, given their unbeaten run of 31 games. However, they were unable to match England’s achievement of not conceding a goal having let in two in their final game against Turkey. Likewise, England, who sailed through Group K with a perfect record of eight wins and scoring twenty-two goals. Thomas Tuchel is already showing that he’s not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the big names for the betterment of the team.”
“Norway boast the greatest goalscorer on the planet right now and it’s Erling Haaland and Co who are attracting some tasty punts at big prices having signed off their eight wins with a Haaland brace in a 4-1 hammering of Italy. The biggest surprise might be the money for Scotland, for whom we’re seeing similar amounts to World Cup holders Argentina right now. The reason could be that Scott McTominay and Lionel Messi are currently on the same planet.”
| World Cup Contenders | % of Bets Placed | bet365 World Cup odds |
| Spain | 27% | 9/2 |
| England | 19% | 6/1 |
| Portugal | 12% | 10/1 |
| Norway | 8% | 33/1 |
| Brazil | 8% | 8/1 |
| France | 6% | 7/1 |
| Argentina | 4% | 8/1 |
| Scotland | 4% | 250/1 |
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