SportsLine analyst Martin Green backs Mexico for World Cup 2026 Round of 16 run
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, Green identifies Spain as the favourite while recommending a specific futures bet on Mexico ahead of the June 11 opener.
Sports betting analyst Martin Green has released his predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting Mexico’s strong position to reach the Round of 16. The tournament, which expands from 32 to 48 teams, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the opening match scheduled for June 11.
According to odds from FanDuel Sportsbook cited in the report, Spain is the favourite at +430, followed by France at +500 and England at +650. Green specifically recommends backing Mexico to reach the Round of 16 at odds of +125, citing their status as the top squad in Group A and the benefit of playing all group stage games on home soil.
Green’s analysis notes that Mexico faces South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia in Group A. He argues that while these are decent opponents, they are not elite, and Mexico will benefit from passionate local support and familiarity with the summer heat. The analyst points out that Mexico has reached the Round of 16 in seven of the last eight World Cups and holds a 10-3-6 all-time cumulative record against their group counterparts.
The SportsLine insider, who reported profitability in Euro qualifying, the EFL Cup, the FA Cup, and the Champions League last year, suggests that Mexico’s path is favourable regardless of their group finish. If they win Group A, they would face a third-place team in Mexico City; if they are runners-up, they would likely face Canada in Inglewood. In either scenario, Green views them as favourites to advance.
Beyond the Mexico pick, Green has identified a longshot team priced at over +1000 that could win the tournament, though the specific nation was not named in the summary. The full list of outright winner odds includes Brazil at +800, Argentina at +950, and Portugal at +950, with the United States Men’s National Team listed as a +7000 longshot.
