Key facts
- Bettors are heavily wagering on the United States to win the World Cup, despite long odds.
- France and Spain are the favored teams, listed at +450 and +475 odds respectively.
- The U.S. team's odds to win the tournament range from 40-1 to 60-1.
- Injuries to key Spanish players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are a concern.
- Other strong contenders include England, Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal.
- This World Cup is likely the last for stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bettors are showing significant patriotic support for the United States in the upcoming World Cup, placing substantial wagers despite the team being considered a longshot with odds ranging from 40-1 to 60-1. This trend is creating a notable liability for sportsbooks.
France and Spain are the consensus favorites to win the tournament, with odds around +450. Spain, winners of the 2024 European Championship, faces potential challenges due to hamstring injuries to key players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. France, led by Kylian Mbappé, is also a strong contender, aiming for their third World Cup title in eight tournaments.
Other teams like England, Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal are also considered strong contenders with odds of 9-1 or better. Handicappers note that there isn't a clear-cut favorite, and the market is relatively balanced. The tournament also marks the likely final World Cup appearance for stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, a factor that is drawing interest from bettors.
In-game wagering is also expected to play a significant role, with soccer seeing a larger percentage of in-game betting compared to other sports.