LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the quarter-final stage, the Opta Supercomputer has predicted that the Kylian Mbappe led France national team has the highest probability of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 27.32% chance.
The projection aligns with the view of many pundits and observers who have tipped France as one of the strongest teams left in the competition.
According to Opta’s projection, France, Spain, England and Argentina are the favourites to reach the last four of the tournament.
Spain, the current European champions, were given a 21.33 per cent chance of becoming world champions.
World champions Argentina were handed a 17.28 per cent probability of retaining their place among the tournament favourites, while England were given a 16.48 per cent chance.
Based on the prediction, Norway, Switzerland, Morocco and Belgium are expected to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.
The quarter-final fixtures will see France face Morocco, Spain take on Belgium, Norway battle England, while Argentina will clash with Switzerland.
The Opta projection sets up a potentially high-profile semi-final line-up if the favourites progress from their respective fixtures.
Meanwhile, seventeen players will head into the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing another yellow card could end their hopes of featuring in a possible semi-final.
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Under FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, any player who collects a second booking of the tournament during the quarterfinals will be suspended for the last four if their team progresses.
The list grew after the Round of 16 concluded on Tuesday, with 17 players picking up yellow cards that left them walking a disciplinary tightrope.
All 17 players must come through the quarterfinals without another booking if they are to remain eligible for a potential semi-final appearance.
