2026 World Cup Odds | Sports Betting World Cup Odds Explained

Looking to cash in on the upcoming 2026 Men’s or Women’s FIFA World Cup? You are on the right page.

The biggest soccer event in the globe is on the horizon, and sports betting experts know that the best time to start having a World Cup betting strategy is well before the event.

With 48 teams vying for the coveted title, the tournament is always unpredictable and exciting. For sports bettors, the World Cup offers a goldmine of wagering opportunities, from props and futures to boosted odds.

In this guide, we will help you get a head start on the competition. Learn how to read and interpret World Cup odds, insights, and predictions for the 2026 World Cup and the best sportsbooks to place your bets.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Understand different World Cup betting odds formats.
Learn effective betting strategies for the 2026 World Cup.
Find out the best sportsbooks with competitive 2026 World Cup betting odds.

Understanding World Cup Odds

World Cup odds represent the probability of a specific outcome occurring in World Cup betting. They are usually numbers that show what the bookmaker thinks will happen in a World Cup game or event. Furthermore, the odds indicate the amount of money you need to wager to win a certain amount.

World Cup odds could be on any aspect of the game, including:

The winner of the competition = Tournament Champion
The winner of a match = Match Winner
Number of goals scored = Over/Under
The number of corners taken = Team Props
Which player will score the first goal = Player Props

Since the World Cup is widely watched in every part of the world, sportsbooks use different formats to display the odds to cater to their specific customer base. They are:

Decimal odds (e.g., 2.50): Commonly used in Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and Canada. For instance, Bet365, a popular European sportsbook, displays odds utilizing this format.
Fractional odds (e.g., 3/2): Traditionally used in the UK and Ireland. Ladbrokes, a UK-based bookie, features World Cup odds in fractions.
American odds (e.g., +150): Primarily used in the United States and are popular with sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Key Factors that Influence the World Cup Odds

Like any other sports betting event, the World Cup is susceptible to a range of factors that can influence its odds. Let’s look at some of them below.

Team Recent Form

A national team’s World Cup form can significantly impact its odds. There are several ways to gauge a WC team’s current standing. These include:

Their win-loss record in international friendlies and qualifying games.
Their goal difference, and consistency in winning matches.
The team’s call-up and injury list are also valid factors since the absence of key players can weaken their chances.

Teams with a strong record will likely have small odds, highlighting them as the favorite to win the match. However, a squad missing their star player due to injury may see their odds of winning go higher.

Example: At the 2022 World Cup, teams like Brazil, Argentina (the tournament winner), France, and England were the favorites in most of the matches they played because of their strong team dynamics and experienced players.

Historical Performance

Bookmakers often set the futures odds of qualified teams in the World Cup based on their previous performances in the tournament. Futures refer to bets placed on the tournament before it begins, such as which team will win the World Cup, which team will reach the final, etc.

Currently, teams like France (+600), Spain (+600), Brazil (+600), England (+650), and Argentina (+800) have the shortest future odds for 2026 FIFA World Cup winners. For some other teams like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, and Peru, their odds of winning the tournament are massive (+100,000).

This huge difference in odds highlights the significant difference in expectations between the traditional football powerhouses and the less experienced or less successful teams in the World Cup.

Public Perception

Betting trends in the World Cup can also influence odds, as bookmakers respond by adjusting the lines to manage their risk. Popular teams often have shorter odds due to heightened demand from bettors. Conversely, unpopular teams in a matchup are more likely to have higher odds and better payouts.

Example: Argentina was a popular pick to win in the 2022 World Cup, with odds around 5/1. However, after their surprise loss to Saudi Arabia, their odds drifted to 17/2.

Best Sportsbooks for World Cup Odds

Every sportsbook in the world features World Cup betting odds. However, some are more reliable and offer better value than others. This is why it’s essential to shop lines at different sportsbooks while betting on the World Cup to get the best odds possible and maximize your potential earnings.

Here are 5 of the most reputable sportsbooks offering the best World Cup odds:

FanDuel

Welcome Offer	Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
States Live In	AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
Minimum Deposit	$10

FanDuel is a top choice for World Cup betting, as it offers comprehensive coverage of the event through various markets and WC-specific promotions. I recall wagering on France to win the tournament in 2018 and enjoying the live in-play markets during the final match.

The operator provides an extensive range of World Cup wagering options, including prop bets, futures, and live in-play markets, allowing you to follow events and wager on them as they unfold. Additionally, FanDuel’s dedicated mobile app features a responsive user interface, which ensures an enjoyable experience while wagering on the tournament.

DraftKings

Welcome Offer	Bet $5, Get $150 bonus bets
States Live In	AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
Minimum Deposit	$5

I appreciated the ease of use and seamless navigation while betting on DraftKings during the last World Cup, and I’m excited about it again. Furthermore, the popular US sportsbook features competitive and up-to-date odds for all World Cup matches. You can also access a comprehensive list of betting markets, including outright winner and player props.

The platform also regularly offers odds boosts, and special promotions that give you more value and potential returns. In 2022, I placed a bet on DraftKings for Mbappe to score a goal in the World Cup final match. Thanks to the platform’s boost promo, I was able to get a better payout when Mbappe scored.

BetMGM

Welcome Offer	$1,500 Bonus Bets
States Live In	AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, DC
Minimum Deposit	$10

Overall, BetMGM offers an excellent website with high functionality that puts it on par with the best in the industry. The bookie’s offerings during World Cup events are very competitive in terms of odds and promotions. It already provides some enticing futures and parlays for the 2026 World Cup.

The platform also features a bet builder that you can use to create up to 10 different bets in the World Cup. Additionally, the platform comes with a long list of fast and secure payment methods that make depositing and withdrawing funds hassle-free. With available options like PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and more, I was able to quickly deposit and place a successful live bet on a game in the 2022 World Cup.

Caesars

Welcome Offer	$1,000 in Bonus Bets
States Live In	AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV
Minimum Deposit	$10

Based on my experience with Caesars Sportsbook in the last World Cup, I strongly recommend the platform for novice and experienced punters. The app’s intuitive layout made it easy to leverage the betting opportunities on the platform during the tournament.

Additionally, Caesars offers a range of exclusive betting features like same-game parlays, in-play betting, and a bet builder. I recall placing a same-game parlay on the France-Argentina match, which won me a tidy sum.

The bookie also offers perhaps the best reward program in the market. Caesars Rewards boasts exclusive perks like bonus cash, shopping discounts, and even tickets to live entertainment at Caesars’ physical properties, making it essentially one of the best online sports betting sites in the US.

BetRivers

Welcome Offer	$500 Bets
States Live In	AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV
Minimum Deposit	$10

BetRivers stands out as a trustworthy and reliable sportsbook, especially for World Cup betting in the US. The Rush Street Interactive-owned book offers a varied list of attractive features, including 24/7 customer support, extensive markets, regular bonuses, and early cash-out options.

The cash-out feature helped me avoid a total loss on a bet I placed on Portugal to beat Morocco in the quarterfinal of the 2022 World Cup. When Morocco took the lead in the 42nd minute, I quickly cashed out my bet on BetRivers based on my live analysis of the game. Although I secured a partial payout, I could have ended up losing all my initial stake.

2026 World Cup Odds: Early Predictions and Analysis

Although the 2026 World Cup is still two years away, the odds are already generating buzz in betting markets. Bookmakers have already decided the favorites and underdogs for the tournament and have started accepting bets on them.

Who Is Favored to Win the World Cup?

At most sports betting platforms, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, France, Brazil, and Spain top the odds with +600 odds. The odds are expected for Spain since they won the Euro 2024.

However, France and Brazil are somewhat surprising choices due to their disappointing performances in the Euro 2024 and the 2024 Copa América, respectively. But despite their recent struggles, the two teams’ rich World Cup histories and talented squads likely contributed to their standings on the odds board.

England, Euro 2024 runners-up, and reigning champions Argentina round out the top five with +650 and +800, respectively. Argentina’s position is notable, considering the uncertainty about star player Lionel Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Other top contenders include:

Germany (+1000), which showed promise in the last Euro tournament
Portugal (+1400)
Netherlands (+1600)
Italy (+2000)
Uruguay (+2000)
Colombia (+2500)

Potential Underdogs

Although some teams are not top contenders, they showed potential in previous tournaments and could surprise everyone with a strong performance. These dark horses include:

Colombia (+2500)
Belgium (+3000)
Croatia (+5000)
Denmark (+6500)

Host countries for the 2026 World Cup, the United States, and Mexico are long shots at +3000 and +6500 but could make a statement on home soil.

Countries like Ireland, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Jamaica, UAE, and Honduras are considered huge underdogs with massive odds of +100,000.

These extremely high odds reflect the perceived slim chances of lifting the trophy. However, stranger things have happened in football. A surprise run by one of these teams, especially against a favorite, would be a monumental upset. Saudi Arabia’s shocking win over Argentina comes to mind.

Women’s World Cup Odds: Insights and Predictions

While the Women’s World Cup does not generate as much betting activity as the men’s, it still attracts significant attention from soccer fans and pundits alike. The 2027 edition is expected to be one of the most competitive yet, with several teams vying for the greatest prize in the women’s game.

Reigning 2023, champions Spain and the tournament two-time champion USA are the top pre-tournament favorites to win the Women’s World Cup. Bookmakers believe the Campeonas are in top form and could net their second consecutive title.

The United States won the 2015 and 2019 editions but were shockingly eliminated in the round of 16 by the Swedes in the 2023 World Cup. However, with talented players like Lindsey Horan, Alex Morgan, and Rose Lavelle, current odds indicate that the team is in a solid position to reclaim the title in 2027.

European champions England and the Lionesses are also among the leading contenders. Sarina Wiegman’s squad, featuring Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo, is eager to claim another major title after their 2022 European Championship victory. The other teams in the top six include Germany, a two-time tournament winner. Spain, and France.

Our Top Tips for Using the World Cup Odds to Your Advantage

The opportunity to bet on the World Cup events arises only every four years, so you don’t want to miss this chance. Below, we have provided you with effective betting tips to maximize your potential bets and winnings.

Familiarize yourself with the tournament structure: Make sure you learn about the World Cup format, including the group stage, knockout rounds, extra time, and penalties. Statistics have shown that these stages can influence a team’s performance and tactics. For instance, a team that has already qualified with enough points may not be as motivated as one that needs a win to advance.
Research: Do your homework on the World Cup markets you are interested in before you commit your funds. These include checking each participating team’s recent performances, key players, head-to-head results, and any injuries or suspensions.
Shop for best odds: All the sportsbooks in the US feature markets on the World Cup, so you don’t have any reason to stick with one platform. Before making a wager, shop around and compare odds across different platforms. You can also benefit from top World Cup bonuses from various bookies.
Manage your bankroll: According to best bankroll management practices, the best way to place sports bets without ever having to worry about going broke is to have a budget. Ahead of the tournament, decide how much you are willing to spend throughout the duration. The amount you choose should be one you are comfortable losing. Furthermore, stick to your budget and don’t chase your losses.
Don’t place emotional bets: If your country qualifies for the World Cup, it can be tempting to bet on them to win, even if the odds are against them. However, it’s crucial to separate your emotions from your betting decisions. Instead, wager based on statistics and expert analysis.
Stay informed: The World Cup odds are subject to change as new developments occur. They could be team injuries, tactical changes, or other unexpected events. Ensure you keep abreast of the 2026 World Cup updates via reputable sports news sources, betting websites, and even by following certain sports betting accounts on social media.
Diversify your wagers: There are numerous options you can wager on in the World Cup. From match winners to correct scores, yellow cards, and goal scorers, the list is endless. Consider betting on different markets to spread your risk and increase your chances of winning.

So, Ready to Check Out Some World Cup Odds?

Now that you are equipped with the necessary knowledge about World Cup odds, It’s time to put them to good use. As you prepare to wager on the tournament in 2026 (Men’s) or 2027 (Women’s), the first step is to sign up at a sportsbook if you haven’t already. Then, start browsing the available World Cup markets and odds your chosen bookie has to offer.

You have enough time to put together a solid betting strategy, but make sure it includes the best World Cup picks.

Curious about where you can place World Cup bets online legally in the US? Check out our updated list of states that legalize online sports betting.