Spain and France have emerged as the top contenders to win the 2026 World Cup, according to both bettors and bookmakers. The tournament, hosted in North America, has also sparked significant support for the United States from the local betting public.
Spain is widely regarded as the favorite to clinch the World Cup, with odds at +450 on DraftKings Sportsbook. France shares a similar position, with odds that vary between +450 and +500 across different platforms.
Bettors nationwide are placing their bets heavily on these two teams, with BetMGM noting that they account for over 30% of its overall wagers and nearly half its total handling in the World Cup winner market. Even with their low odds, Spain is the sportsbook’s second-largest liability.
“I didn’t expect such a consistent flow of bets on these teams,” commented DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello to ESPN. “They have been popular overall, but especially in recent days. There has been a notable increase in betting on them.”
Mark Bickerdike, the soccer lead at Caesars Sportsbook, emphasized that Spain and France are indeed the teams to beat, with a drop-off to the next tier, which includes England (+700), Argentina (+950), and Brazil (+950) in terms of popularity.
An exception is Portugal, which has gained considerable backing at several sportsbooks, particularly DraftKings where it’s the third-most backed team. Portugal’s odds have shifted from 10-1 to +800 recently, with some places offering as short as +750.
Historically, the pre-tournament favorite has won the World Cup only three times: West Germany in 1974, Brazil in 1994, and Spain in 2010. The biggest underdog to win prior was Italy, that entered the 1982 tournament at 18-1, according to SportsOddsHistory.com.
Despite being a long shot at 60-1, the United States is generating significant interest among American bettors, ranking eighth in the number of bets placed at DraftKings. Due to these lengthy odds, the U.S. poses a considerable risk for sportsbooks if they advance far in the tournament, though bookmakers appreciate the enthusiasm from bettors.
“Fans will want to support and bet on them, especially with the games being hosted in our country and nearby Mexico and Canada,” Avello stated. “We’re offering them at a fair price and welcoming the betting. If the U.S. manages to win, it’s a win for the country, and we’ll take our losses.”
Another underdog making waves is Haiti, currently listed at 2,500-1 odds to win the World Cup at various sportsbooks. A single bettor at BetMGM has staked $1,000 on Haiti, which could result in a staggering $2.5 million payout should they achieve the improbable.