Scott Wilson's six best sporting bets for 2026

1 FRANCE TO WIN THE WORLD CUP (8-1)

The history books suggest it is difficult for a European side to win a World Cup held in a different continent, but while Brazil and Argentina will undoubtedly be strong and well-supported, it is Europe’s nations who look to have the strongest hand ahead of this summer’s tournament in North America.

England sauntered through qualifying, but haven’t been tested under Thomas Tuchel yet. Spain are favourites and European champions, but haven’t necessarily kicked on since the last Euros.

So, go with France instead. They’ve got arguably the best player in the world at the moment (Kylian Mbappe), the most exciting youngster (Desire Doue) and a defence featuring William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano. They must go extremely close.

 
2 BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (9-2)

Arsenal are the favourites to lift the Champions League, and for much of the first half of the season, the Gunners have looked like the best team in Europe. They still have to prove they can get over the mental hurdle of actually winning something though, and they’re going to be playing a lot of big games in two or three different competitions come the business end of the season.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, will almost certainly have the Bundesliga title wrapped up long before the Champions League is coming to a head and will be able to focus their undivided attention on their European challenge.

They lost to Arsenal at the Emirates in November, but they’re still sitting second in the league standings, having comfortably seen off Chelsea earlier in the campaign. They’re also proven winners with an extremely deep squad.

 
3 INDIA TO WIN THE MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP (7-4)

Admittedly, you’re not getting much of a price, but it’s impossible to look past co-hosts India when it comes to selecting the winners of the T20 World Cup that gets under way at the start of next month.

Home conditions should be a massive factor, with India’s battalion of spinners sure to be licking their lips as they consider the wickets they are likely to encounter. Spin bowling and big scoring will be the key to success, and India lead the world in both.

England and Australia have been focusing on the Ashes and could find the switch to white-ball cricket tricky, while Pakistan don’t look strong enough to contend in conditions that should suit. As a wildcard, Afghanistan to make the semi-finals or final is not a crazy shout. India should win though.

 
4 FRANCE TO WIN THE SIX NATIONS GRAND SLAM (2-1)

There has been a lot of talk about England’s resurgence in the wake of their successful autumn internationals, but France remain the northern hemisphere’s leading lights and should confirm their superiority in the Six Nations.

They’re a shade of odds-on to be crowned champions though, so to juice up the price a bit, it’s worth going with France to complete a Grand Slam as well as lifting the title.

Home advantage should be useful against Ireland in their opening game, and their away matches in Wales and Scotland shouldn’t pose too many problems. That should mean they’re heading into their final game against England with a Grand Slam, and potentially the title as well, on the line. In that scenario, for all that England are undoubtedly improving, it’s hard to see past a home win in Paris.

 
5 HAITI COULEURS TO WIN THE GRAND NATIONAL (14-1)

You need a classy horse to win the Grand National these days, and while plenty of water still has to flow under the bridge ahead of April’s Aintree spectacular, and early each-way dart at Haiti Couleurs could prove a sensible investment.

Rebecca Curtis’ stayer is already a dual national winner having claimed the Irish National in 2024 and landed the Welsh National at Chepstow last month. Both of those races are excellent pointers towards Aintree.

The slight fly in the ointment is that Haiti Couleurs could be aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, which would leave him with a fairly gruelling schedule. He’s also going to be high in the weights after his Welsh win. He ticks every box for the National though and odds of 14-1 feel far too big.

 
6 TOMMY FLEETWOOD TO WIN THE OPEN (20-1)

He got one monkey off his back when he claimed his first PGA Tour win at last year’s Tour Championship – at some stage, Fleetwood is surely going to win his first Major.

If he does, it feels like the Open Championship will be his best bet, with his love of links golf and ability to handle wind and bad weather useful assets ahead of this summer’s tournament, which will be staged on a course he knows extremely well at Royal Birkdale.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the world’s best players at the moment, but they’re not so far ahead of the pack that the majors can be considered a closed shop. Fleetwood, with a home crowd roaring him on, makes a lot of appeal at 20-1.