The Opta supercomputer has changed its pick for the World Cup favorite
The Opta supercomputer has updated its calculations following the opening round of the World Cup group stage, identifying a new top contender for the gold medals. Didier Deschamps’ team’s convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal allowed France to overtake the previous leader in the rankings—Spain.
Analysts currently estimate the probability of a French victory at 15.73%.
This World Cup holds special significance for France’s head coach, Didier Deschamps, as this major international tournament will be the last in his long career as head coach of the national team. The coach, who already led the team to the World Cup title in 2018, is aiming to cap off his tenure with another trophy. Updated statistics from Opta confirm the European team’s strong competitiveness on American soil.
England and Argentina are among France’s top three closest rivals in the updated list of favorites. Overall, the top ten contenders for the tournament title and their mathematical odds, according to the analytics platform, are as follows:
- France – 15.73% (probability of winning);
- England – 12.33%;
- Argentina – 12.28%;
- Spain – 12.08%;
- Germany – 6.43%;
- Portugal – 5.94%;
- Brazil – 5.37%;
- Norway – 4.68%;
- Netherlands – 3.06%;
- Colombia – 2.80%.
Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, became the oldest coach to win a World Cup match.
The second round of the group stage is set to begin at the 2026 World Cup. Mexico could be the first team to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
