After years of anticipation and preparation, the expanded 48-team tournament will kick off at the Estadio Azteca on June 11. Only one, however, will lift the famous trophy in New Jersey on July 19.Only eight nations have ever won the World Cup in the 96-year history of the competition, and history shows it is unlikely the 2026 champion will come from outside a select group of elite-level teams at the top of the international game.Spain favoured after Euro triumphAt 4/1, Spain are the pre-tournament favourites.Luis de la Fuente’s side won Euro 2024 playing a brand of exciting, dynamic football that was an evolution from the tedious possession-heavy approach favoured by Luis Enrique as Spain boss.No team averaged more shots on target per match in European qualifying for the World Cup than Spain, who also ranked joint-top for highest possession won in the final third per match. They are just as energetic working against the ball as they are playing with it.Spain have very few weaknesses, although de la Fuente’s continued faith in the error-prone Unai Simon — when he has Joan Garcia and David Raya as alternative goalkeeping options — could potentially cost the European champions.Opta’s supercomputer gives Spain a 16.1 per cent chance of winning the World Cup for the second time in their history. This is a higher percentage than any other team taking part in this summer’s tournament.