2026 World Cup Stats: Goals and Form

This week, the World Cup kicks off and we have gone through the stats of every team to highlight the best and worst options...

It is worth noting that all of the stats were written before some of the later World Cup preparation games, but were correct at the time of writing.

📈 Best World Cup Form Teams

Netherlands - 8-2-0

Coming into this tournament, you may not have thought much of the Netherlands. However, they approach the World Cup in the best possible form, going unbeaten in their 10 games before the tournament.

With recent wins against Ecuador and Norway, they have faced opposition that they will meet in North America this summer.

The Netherlands are currently 22/1 with AK Bets to win the 2026 World Cup.

France - 8-1-1

France, at the time of writing, are fighting to be the favourites for the tournament and they could well be for kick-off on June 11. With strong form numbers approaching the tournament, it makes complete sense, too.

Their preparation has been solid, with wins against Mexico, Colombia and Germany leading up to the tournament. However, their 5-4 loss to Spain may be the only reason why fears remain about them.

France are currently 11/2 with AK Bets to win the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina - 8-1-1

It is no shock to see the current World Champions also included in the top-form sides ahead of the World Cup. Indeed, their run leading up to this competition has been fantastic.

Their only loss in the run-up came to Ecuador, but a 4-1 battering of Brazil would lessen fears about that.

Argentina are currently 10/1 with SkyBet to win the 2026 World Cup.

Austria - 8-1-1

The last team of major interest would be Austria, whose run has maybe gone under the radar a little. They have wins against Tunisia, South Korea and Ghana leading up to this tournament, but these are not the strongest opposition ahead of the summer.

Austria are currently 150/1+ with the Best Football Bookmakers in the UK to win the 2026 World Cup.

Belgium, Spain, Morocco - 7-3-0

Finally, there are three other teams to have gone unbeaten with a really solid record: Belgium, Spain and Morocco. It is worth noting that we have picked two of these teams for our World Cup winners...

Spain are the current favourite heading into the tournament, especially after their win against France. However, they have not beaten another team heading to the World Cup since.

Spain are currently 5/1 with Betway to win the 2026 World Cup.

Belgium's preparation has seen them beat the USA and Croatia and they remain an interesting candidate.

Belgium are currently 5/1 with Betway to win the 2026 World Cup.

Finally, we have Morocco, whose form is also pretty nice. They have beaten Senegal and Paraguay, whilst also not losing a game in the run-up to the tournament...

Morocco are currently 66/1 with PricedUp to win the 2026 World Cup.

📉 Worst World Cup Form Teams

New Zealand - 1-1-8

New Zealand kick-start the worst teams in the World Cup, in terms of form, and things don't look great for them this summer. They have played a handful of World Cup teams, drawing only against Norway.

Other than that, they have lost their others. It is a problematic run before the tournament.

New Zealand are currently 2500/1 with Bet365 to win the 2026 World Cup.

Qatar - 1-3-6

Qatar have managed to pick up a few draws here and there, but they lack any conviction to go far in this tournament, if even leaving the group. They have only played one team heading to the World Cup ahead of the summer (which they lost 3-0), so you'd have fears.

Qatar are currently 2000/1 with Bet365 to win the 2026 World Cup.

Sweden and Ghana - 3-2-5

Sweden and Ghana then are the other highlights in terms of form, having only won three games each.

Starting with the European outfit, they have only beaten Algeria leading up to the tournament of those who else are heading there. Every other team heading to North America that they have played, beat them.

Sweden are currently 175/1 with AK Bets to win the 2026 World Cup.

Following them, Ghana have struggled similarly, with their last win coming in October 2025. They have faced a few teams heading to the World Cup this summer, and the results have not been positive.

Ghana are currently 500/1 with Ladbrokes to win the 2026 World Cup.

⚽ Best World Cup Scoring Teams

Belgium - 3.60 Goals Scored Per Game

Ahead of the tournament, Belgium have averaged a fantastic 3.6 goals per game, which is mind-blowing. Hitting seven goals once, six goals twice and even putting five past the USA, they look like a very strong offensive team.

Belgium are 16/1 to be the highest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with 888Sport.

Spain - 3.10 Goals Scored Per Game

Spain are one of the best attacking sides in Europe, which doesn't come as a surprise at all. For style as well as skill, they are a joy to watch and they could certainly deliver a few high-scoring games this summer.

Spain are 6/1 to be the highest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with Unibet.

Norway - 3.10 Goals Scored Per Game

Norway may be a bit of a surprise in this area. However, when you have one of the best strikers in the world, it shouldn't be a surprise at all. Indeed, they have scored for fun leading up to this tournament.

Norway are 33/1 to be the highest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with Ladbrokes.

Netherlands - 3.00 Goals Scored Per Game

Finally, the Netherlands may also be a bit of a shock on this list, with no attacking superstar. However, they are another well-oiled offensive outlet and with goals coming from across the pitch, they pose a substantial threat.

The Netherlands are 20/1 to be the highest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with BoyleSports.

⛔ Worst World Cup Scoring Teams

Qatar - 0.70 Goals Scored Per Game

Qatar, after their record leading up to this tournament, are no shock candidates to feature here. Indeed, they have only scored 0.70 goals per game and we have tipped them to be the lowest scorers of the tournament.

Qatar are 14/1 to be the lowest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with Virgin Bet.

New Zealand - 0.80 Goals Scored Per Game

For New Zealand, the story could be a little bit worse. Indeed, they have six sides heading to the World Cup, but they have only scored three goals against them. They have scored four goals in one game, but it was against Chile, who are not headed to North America...

New Zealand are 13/1 to be the lowest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with Betway.

Ecuador - 0.90 Goals Scored Per Game

Ecuador are one of the better sides to feature in this World Cup and they will have different aspirations to most of the teams that feature in this section. However, they are built on defensive foundations, which is why they score so few.

Ecuador are 100/1 to be the lowest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with BetVictor (offering 3 E/W Places).

Paraguay & Saudi Arabia - 1.00 Goals Scored Per Game

Paraguay and Saudi Arabia both average a goal scored per game, which sounds decent. However, they are far from being among the top-scoring teams in the World Cup...

Both have faced quite a few teams heading to the World Cup, so there can be a bit of confidence about them plucking out a goal or two. However, the prices are still there for them.

Paraguay are 40/1 to be the lowest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with QuinnBet.

Saudi Arabia are 20/1 to be the lowest scoring team at the 2026 World Cup with Unibet.

👎 Best World Cup Defending Teams

Now, there are no markets for the fewest goals conceded. However, it is still a stat to be aware of and it can play a big part in proceedings.

Mexico - 0.25 Goals Conceded Per Game

Mexico's preparation has been really strong ahead of the summer and they could certainly go far. They have faced eight sides heading to the World Cup and only conceded four goals against them.

Canada - 0.30 Goals Conceded Per Game

Canada may be somewhat of a surprise here and they have faced quite a few sides that they may meet again this summer. Unlike Mexico, though, they have not faced any/many of the top teams.

Saying that, no team has kept more clean sheets before the World Cup this summer than them (8).

Morocco - 0.30 Goals Conceded Per Game

Morocco are in quite a tough group, but their defensive record could be worth keeping an eye on. However, they are like Canada in the sense that they have not faced many of the top, top teams.

DR Congo - 0.30 Goals Conceded Per Game

DR Congo's record is really solid and you wouldn't expect them to be in this category. However, I'd not pay too much attention. Every time that they have faced another team playing in the tournament this summer, they have conceded at least once.

Argentina & Austria - 0.40 Goals Conceded Per Game

Argentina and Austria are drawn in the same group and are expected to progress, probably as the top two. Both are extremely efficient, and the former may be more known for their attacking prowess.

However, both are defensively very strong and it could be key to their chances this summer.

👎 Worst World Cup Defending Teams

Sweden - 2.10 Goals Conceded Per Game

Sweden are certainly no stranger to conceding and it may be a bit of a shock that they are the most leaky team in the tournament, at least compared to who else is featuring.

New Zealand - 1.90 Goals Conceded Per Game

New Zealand are perhaps the team that are expected to concede the most this summer and their defensive record tracks. In 6 games against fellow competitors, they conceded 13 goals, really not great...

USA - 1.70 Goals Conceded Per Game

The hosts have arguably had the best preparation for the World Cup of anyone else, playing against 10 teams headed to the tournament this summer. However, they have conceded 17 goals in these games, keeping a clean sheet in only two.

Qatar - 1.60 Goals Conceded Per Game

Qatar's hopes are not made any better in the defensive department. They don't perform going forward and it seems that they are already pretty much doomed before a ball has even been kicked...

Curacao - 1.60 Goals Conceded Per Game

Curacao are 5000/1 to win the World Cup this summer and whilst they are not the lowest scorers or the worst team defensively, they have little hope. In fact, they have only played two teams headed to the World Cup and conceded nine goals, pretty telling...

Enter Our World Cup Competition

Looking to test your England knowledge? We have put together a predictions competition for the World Cup, consisting of six questions about how the Three Lions will fare (top scorer, how far they will go, and so on).

The total cash prize pot is £250, with the winner (most correct answers) taking home £150. The second and third-best are also rewarded with £70 and £30 respectively. It's completely free to enter too, so there are no hidden costs.

Enter the Competition

If you follow any of our tips, first and foremost, good luck! However, also let us know if you're following or have any nice winners this summer on our X account @BetLoungeTips.

Happy punting!