The expanded 48-team World Cup means more matches, more knockout football and more opportunities for the biggest nations to make deep runs.
With a new Round of 32 added to the tournament format, the traditional heavyweights have an extra hurdle to clear before reaching the quarter-finals. However, some of the favourites have been handed favourable draws that could see them progress deep into the competition.
Our latest World Cup accumulator backs six of football’s biggest nations to all reach the last eight:
- Spain
- France
- England
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Portugal
Combined, the six-fold lands at over 50.00 odds.
Spain to Reach the Quarter-Finals
Spain head into the tournament as European champions and one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Their group containing Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde looks manageable on paper, and they should be expected to top it.
Doing so would likely hand them a Round of 32 tie against a lower-ranked nation before a potential last-16 clash with the likes of Colombia or Croatia. Neither fixture should hold major fears for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who remain unbeaten against Uruguay and possess one of the most talented squads in world football.
France to Reach the Quarter-Finals
France have reached two of the last three World Cup finals and once again look built for tournament football.
A group featuring Senegal, Norway and Iraq will test them, but Les Bleus should still be favourites to finish top. That would likely earn them a Round of 32 match against a third-placed side rather than another heavyweight.
With Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue leading the attack, France have enough quality to safely navigate the opening knockout rounds.
England to Reach the Quarter-Finals
England’s route to the last eight looks encouraging.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama and will expect to finish top of Group L. That should provide a favourable Round of 32 tie before a potential Round of 16 clash against Mexico or another mid-tier nation.
The Three Lions have reached at least the quarter-finals in three of the last four major tournaments and have the experience to do so again.
Brazil to Reach the Quarter-Finals
Brazil may have been paired with Morocco, but the Selecao should still be expected to top Group C.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side possess frightening attacking talent and avoiding several European giants until the latter stages is a significant boost. If Brazil win their group, they should avoid a difficult Round of 32 encounter and will fancy their chances against most potential Round of 16 opponents.
Anything less than a quarter-final appearance would be considered a disappointment.
Argentina to Reach the Quarter-Finals
The defending world champions have arguably been handed one of the most favourable groups in the tournament.
Algeria, Austria and Jordan are all capable teams, but Argentina should comfortably secure first place in Group J. That could set up knockout ties against the likes of Uruguay, Australia or Iran before the quarter-finals.
With Lionel Messi potentially playing in his final World Cup and a squad packed with proven tournament performers, Argentina look well placed to make another deep run.
Portugal to Reach the Quarter-Finals
Portugal’s pathway could be one of the smoothest of all the favourites.
Colombia represents their biggest obstacle in Group K, but Roberto Martinez’s side will still expect to finish first. Doing so could avoid an early meeting with England or Spain and instead produce knockout games against lower-ranked opposition.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup could be supported by one of the strongest Portugal squads ever assembled, with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Rafael Leao all capable of making the difference.
Our 50.00+ World Cup Quarter-Final Accumulator
World Cups always produce surprises, but these six nations have been handed strong draws and possess the quality needed to navigate the new Round of 32 format.
Spain, France, England, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal are all among the favourites to lift the trophy, and backing them to simply reach the quarter-finals creates an attractive 50.00+ accumulator.
Back our World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final Accumulator below and explore the latest outright and tournament specials at Bet9ja now.
