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Mbappé's France favored to win World Cup; Messi's Argentina ranks third
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Mbappé's France favored to win World Cup; Messi's Argentina ranks third

From Chosun Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • France is considered the strongest favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to betting odds and media reports.
  • The tournament has advanced to the quarterfinals, with eight teams remaining: France, Spain, Argentina, England, Norway, Morocco, Belgium, and Switzerland.
  • Kylian Mbappé's French team is ranked highest, while Lionel Messi's Argentina is third in the odds.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup heads into its quarterfinal stage, France has emerged as the leading favorite to lift the trophy, according to major overseas betting firms and local media assessments.

The tournament has narrowed down to eight remaining teams after the conclusion of the Round of 16. The qualified nations are France, Spain, Argentina, England, Norway, Morocco, Belgium, and Switzerland. These teams will now compete for a spot in the semifinals.

Leading the pack in terms of championship odds is Kylian Mbappé's French squad, which is widely regarded as the strongest contender. Lionel Messi's Argentina team is ranked third among the favorites, indicating strong competition from South American giants.

The specific matchups and probabilities for the quarterfinal matches are generating significant interest among football fans worldwide, as the path to the final becomes clearer.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.