England trail Spain but share second‑place odds with France and Germany in Nations League

The Nations League kicks off this week and, even before a single ball is kicked in the group stage, the betting market already favours the World Cup winners to claim the UEFA tournament outright. Spain sit on the shortest odds, while England, France and Germany are all priced at the same level, making the Three Lions the second‑favourite in the outright football market.

Betting landscape before the first whistle

Odds released by BET show Spain at 7/2, with France, England and Germany each listed at 4/1. Portugal trails at 8/1 and the rest of the field is priced considerably higher. The market’s confidence reflects Spain’s recent form, including a 5‑4 semi‑final win over France and a World Cup final triumph over Argentina.

England entered the competition as the reigning World Cup champions, having topped Group F in the 2024‑26 Nations League with five wins and one loss, matching Greece on points. Their promotion from League B to League A in November 2024 adds further credibility to their odds, despite a semi‑final exit in the previous edition.

Key teams and their recent pedigree

France remain a perennial threat in major tournaments, having consistently reached the latter stages in recent years. Their recent 5‑4 semi‑final loss to Spain does little to dent their reputation, and the odds place them level with England.

Germany, also priced at 4/1, benefit from a strong squad and a history of deep runs in UEFA competitions. Their odds suggest bookmakers view them as equally capable of lifting the trophy.

Spain, the clear favourites at 7/2, combine youthful talent such as Lamine Yamal, who scored twice in the semi‑final against France, with a recent World Cup win over Argentina. Their stars are still approaching their prime, giving them a perceived longevity edge over rivals.

England’s hopes rest heavily on veteran striker Harry Kane, whose prolific scoring for Bayern Munich continues at both club and international level. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions aim to progress beyond the semi‑finals, a step up from their 2026 World Cup third‑place finish where they beat France 6‑4.

In the upcoming group phase, England will face Spain, Czechia and Croatia, while France and Germany will each navigate their own groups. The odds suggest a tightly contested race for the knockout spots, with the market awaiting the first set of results to reassess each nation’s chances.

All odds are correct at the time of writing. BET offers a new‑customer promotion featuring free bets and boost tokens, but readers are reminded to gamble responsibly.