The 2026 World Cup draw is now set, and FIFA has released its newest global rankings that determine the top seeds. The first pot includes the top nine teams—Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany—alongside hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Fans on 12BET Malaysia have already begun debating the implications of these seedings, and many have started placing early futures bets — login 12BET to join the action.
Croatia Narrowly Misses Top Seeding
Croatia’s head coach was visibly displeased.
Despite finishing as World Cup runners-up in 2018 and third place in 2022, Croatia still missed the top tier, landing in 10th—just behind Germany.
Even so, with the new 48-team, 12-group format, Croatia and Germany are both expected to reach the Round of 32 with ease.
Punters on 12BET Malaysia see both nations as safe qualifiers.
History Shows Only True Giants Win World Cups
Across 22 editions, only seven true football giants have ever lifted the trophy:
Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3), Uruguay (2), France (2), England (1), Spain (1).
No dark horse has ever completed a Cinderella run to the title.
Different footballing styles, long knockout stages, and high-pressure elimination games guarantee that the World Cup demands consistent strength—not miracles.
Betting fans often keep this historical pattern in mind on 12BET Malaysia before placing long-shot bets.
Why Some Contenders Must Be Ruled Out
Teams Facing Too Many Limitations
– Italy: Not even guaranteed to qualify, mentality fragile.
– Croatia: Ageing core, weak attacking line.
– Belgium: Golden generation gone, ceiling much lower now.
Teams Strong but Not Yet Title Ready
– Germany: Still rebuilding, inconsistent.
– Netherlands: Attack lacks world-class finishers.
– Portugal: Talented squad, but struggles in hard battles; 41-year-old Ronaldo still projected as a starter, which may disrupt balance.
These factors also shift betting trends on 12BET Malaysia—login 12BET anytime to track updated odds.
Five Nations With Realistic Title Chances
Spain Balanced strength and elite midfield
Spain owns the deepest midfield in the tournament.
Their only minor flaw is the centre-forward position, but their structure doesn’t rely heavily on a classic striker.
France Unmatched firepower across the pitch
France’s forward pool is terrifying—19 attackers worth over €30M each.
The defence is strong, though their midfield playmaking remains the weakest link.
Argentina Mental toughness and unity
Despite lower total squad value, Argentina’s cohesion, balance across all lines, and Messi’s influence remain decisive factors.
England Incredible depth but fragile mentality
England’s squad depth is world-class.
But managing star egos—like keeping Jude Bellingham happy even on the bench—remains a major challenge.
Goalkeeping is also a weak point.
Brazil Talent without structure
Brazil’s long-term flaw continues: a midfield full of ball-winners but lacking creators.
Without better organization, they may fall short again.
Top Three Favorites According to Trends
After analysing squad depth, tactical balance, mentality, and FIFA rankings, the three strongest contenders are:
Spain France Argentina
These three also occupy the top three spots in FIFA’s latest ranking, proving once again that the ranking system reflects real competitive strength.
Many early bettors on 12BET Malaysia are already backing these nations heavily — you can check the live odds anytime when you login 12BET.