Expanded 2026 World Cup field sees Spain and France emerge as joint favourites
A comprehensive guide from major sportsbooks details the odds for the tournament running from June 11 to July 19, with Spain and France listed at +500
A detailed betting guide for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been released, outlining the structure and wagering markets for the expanded 48-team competition. The tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Under the new format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, alongside the best eight third-placed teams, creating a 32-team elimination round.
Current market data identifies Spain and France as joint favourites to lift the trophy, both listed at +500. England follows as a strong contender at +650, while Brazil and Argentina are priced at +800 and +850 respectively. The guide notes that the defending champions, Argentina, are viewed as a serious threat despite their qualification record of 3-1-1. Other nations such as Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands are also featured in the markets, with odds reflecting their respective qualification performances and squad depth.
The opening match is set for June 11, pitting Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament will culminate on July 19 with the final match taking place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Major North American sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, have published specific promotional offers for new users, ranging from $100 to $250 in bonus bets to attract customers for the upcoming event.
Wagering markets extend beyond simple match outcomes to include player props and individual awards. The Golden Boot and Golden Ball categories are highlighted, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe among the key names associated with their respective national teams. The guide also details the rules for tiebreakers in the group stage, which include goal difference, goals scored, fair play, and FIFA rankings.
While the guide provides extensive data on team records and star players, it cautions that betting odds and promotional offers are subject to change by individual sportsbooks and may vary based on jurisdiction. The expanded format introduces a complex qualification structure involving third-place teams, which could impact performance expectations for the participating nations.
