Croatia vs Ivory Coast 2026 World Cup Winners | Polymarket Trade

Both Croatia and Ivory Coast markets are priced at 0% YES, reflecting collective assessment that neither nation is a favored contender to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. These two markets are structurally independent—only one nation can lift the trophy, but both could simultaneously fail to win it (the most likely scenario). Understanding the nuance between these predictions requires examining squad depth, historical tournament performance, and how each nation's regional and global standing affects their odds. Croatia's path to the World Cup has been shaped by recent tournaments. The nation finished as runners-up in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, demonstrating consistent competitiveness at football's highest level. However, their star players (Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and others) are aging, and the squad faces generational transition. The core that carried them deep into tournaments is dispersing, and rebuilding a championship-caliber lineup is a multi-year process. Ivory Coast, by contrast, has not reached a World Cup semi-final in recent memory and has struggled with qualification consistency. While the nation has produced exceptional individual talent, translating that into deep tournament runs has proven difficult. The 0% pricing for both teams reflects trader conviction that neither squad possesses the current strength, depth, or tournament experience to overcome stronger European, South American, and African contenders. If one market were to show movement, Croatia would likely move first, as their recent tournament history and infrastructure give them marginally stronger perceived foundation. Ivory Coast's 0% reflects how difficult it is for African nations outside Egypt, Senegal, or Nigeria to generate significant championship conviction, despite individual player quality. Readers should monitor upcoming World Cup qualifiers, squad roster announcements, and coaching transitions for both nations. For Croatia, watch whether the aging core stays healthy and whether emerging talent fills generational gaps. For Ivory Coast, track player development, managerial stability, and performance of domestic talent abroad. Tournament draws will matter significantly—favorable grouping could shift perceptions, though both start from such low base conviction that substantial movement would require major surprises. These markets ultimately reflect broader assessment that 2026 will be decided among established powerhouses.