2026 FIFA World Cup Title Pie: Is Messi's Argentina Or Mbappé's France The Favorite?

Group play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing its end, and there weren't many surprises as we head toward the knockout stage. But does that mean the favorites entering the tournament should remain the favorites ahead of the knockout stage?

That's what "First Things First's" Nick Wright believes. As we're nearly complete with Match Day 3 at the World Cup, Wright dished out percentages on the teams most likely to win the tournament.

Here's who he has as the favorites, and who he might view as sneaky underdogs. 

Sweden
Ivory Coast
Senegal
Ghana
Croatia
Egypt 
Canada

Wright's thoughts: "I don't like how they've looked at all. And then, all of a sudden, because of Senegal winning by margin and the other third-place game situations. It's not that they have to tie New Zealand tonight, they've got to win against New Zealand tonight or they're going home, I believe."

Wright's thoughts: "They won their group. They stole Canada's path. They now get to stay in Vancouver through the round of 16. It was the easiest group, but they've looked good."

Wright's thoughts: "A team that's looked better than 2%, but I hate their draw for them. I know Ian Darke said [Japan likes having a tough path], but I disagree. They play Brazil now in the round of 32. So, their World Cup's about to end. But they've played well."

Wright's thoughts: "If we did this pie on Sunday morning, it could be very different. Can they beat Portugal? What can they do as far as winning the group on Saturday? If they don't, then, all of a sudden, they're probably playing Spain in the first round of this tournament and they're probably done."

Wright's thoughts: "Netherlands the moment the draw came out had to feel like, ‘Well, this isn’t right. What's our goal?