Strong defensive organization and squad depth among top contenders like Argentina, France, and England—fresh off strong qualifying records and recent Nations League results—have shaped trader consensus around a high likelihood of an unbeaten champion. These teams have demonstrated the ability to secure points through draws in high-stakes matches while avoiding defeats, a pattern reinforced by historical World Cup data where favorites rarely suffer losses across seven games. Expanded group-stage formats increase the chance of cautious play among elite sides, limiting upset risks from underdogs, though injuries to key players or unfavorable draws could still alter outcomes in the knockout rounds.