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2026 World Cup Odds: Spain Moves to Favorite; Team USA Popular

Patrick Everson
Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
Soccer Futures Odds

World Cup odds for 2026 got a boost with the Dec. 5 release of the draw. And no doubt, the tournament will see a huge increase in handle by taking place in North American, with the United States, Canada and Mexico as hosts.

Six months from kickoff, Spain is the favorite and a popular play in 2026 World Cup futures odds. But the Spanish side and everyone else will have to contend with an expanded field, going from 32 to 48 teams.

Below are current World Cup odds from BetMGM, followed by oddsmaker insights through three weeks. Check back regularly for updates

2026 World Cup Odds

Spain Tops the Chart

Argentina is the defending champion, having won the 2022 World Cup in an exhilarating overtime/penalty-kicks shootout vs. France. And the French opened as co-favorites with Brazil in 2026 World Cup odds.

But six months out, Spain is atop odds to win the 2026 World Cup at BetMGM. Below are the top handful of teams on the board.

  • Spain +400
  • England +600
  • France +700
  • Brazil +800
  • Argentina +800
  • Portugal +1100
  • Germany +1200
  • Netherlands +1600
  • Norway +2500
  • Italy +3300
  • Belgium +3300
  • Uruguay +4000
  • USA +5000
  • Mexico +5000

All others +6600 or greater. Odds subject to change. For more World Cup odds, check out bet365.

Will Spain Reign?

When 2026 World Cup futures opened, which in many cases was shortly after the 2022 tournament, Spain trailed a handful of teams.

BetMGM opened the Spanish side as the +1000 sixth choice. As noted above, France and Brazil were the +600 co-favorites, followed by England at +700, then defending champ Argentina and Germany at +900.

However, as of Dec. 10, five days after the draw came out, Spain is all the way into the +400 favorite in 2026 World Cup odds. England is the No. 2 choice at +600, followed by France at +700, with Brazil and Argentina both at +800 to round out the top five.

Early bettors certainly like Spain, which is No. 1 in tickets and money at BetMGM. Spain is taking 1.5 times more tickets than a trio of teams in the 2/3/4 slots, England, France and Portugal.

In money, Spain and 2022 runner-up France are dominating early action, combining to take almost 32% of the cash in BetMGM's World Cup futures odds. Spain is getting 17% of dollars and France 14.8%.

Rounding out the top five in money:

  • Portugal
  • Brazil
  • England

Spain is BetMGM's second-largest liability, followed by Portugal, the +1100 sixth choice to lift the trophy next summer. Portugal opened +1400 and, as noted above, is No. 4 in bet count and sits No. 3 in money.

The largest liability? That would be one of the dark-horse hosts ...

USA is a Popular Play

In the wake of the draw, the United State's men's national team got a noteworthy boost in 2026 World Cup championship odds. BetMGM had the U.S. at +6600 pre-draw, but is now at +5000.

Granted, that's still behind 13 other teams, with the USA and Mexico the co-14th choice. But it shows a little early enthusiasm for the American side.

Team USA is No. 5 in ticket count and No. 6 in money in BetMGM's World Cup futures. And thanks to those longer odds, the U.S. is the book's largest liability.

Caesars Sports also has the U.S. at +5000, the co-13th choice along with Uruguay and Mexico. Caesars head of soccer trading Mark Bickerdike isn't forecasting an American title, by any means. But a good showing is certainly in the realm of possibilities.

"I think the USMNT has reason to be optimistic about a good run in this tournament," Bickerdike said. "They performed well in their most recent friendlies under [coach] Mauricio Pochettina, with the 5-1 victory over Uruguay being particularly impressive.

"In addition, they have reached the Round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups."

In 2022, the U.S. lost to Netherlands 3-1 in the Round of 16, which then was the first knockout stage. With a 48-team field, the first knockout stage is the Round of 32. So Team USA will have to advance from Group D, then win an additional match to get to the 16s.

Bickerdike believes the group draw was helpful. The U.S. is joined by Paraguay, Australia and a to-be-determined side, and Caesars has the USMNT as a +125 favorite to win that group.

"Receiving a favorable draw will only enhance their chances of reaching the latter stages of the tournament," Bickerdike said. "In terms of at the counter, we fully expect the USA to be a popular selection in all betting markets.

"They are the team we have seen the most wagers on in tournament winner market, and we have already seen a flurry of bets on them to top Group D."

High-Handle Expectations

Regardless of who ultimately wins, be it one of the favorites, an upstart USA team or someone else, 2026 World Cup odds are sure to drive a ton of tickets and money in June/July. When the event isn't held halfway around the world, American sportsbooks reap huge benefits.

"Expectations for next summer's World Cup are extremely high," Caesars' Bickerdike said. "Having an extended tournament in a U.S. customer-friendly zone should result in this being the highest-handle soccer competition the industry has ever seen.

"It's going to be an action-packed six weeks, with only five rest days."

Betting on the World Cup

With the World Cup rapidly approaching, make sure to check out our collection of Best World Cup Betting Sites and Best Soccer Betting Sites!

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World Cup Qualification

The 2026 World Cup qualification process has begun, but it's not yet finalized due to the expansion to 48 teams. That said, CONCACAF is expected to have six teams, which will include automatic qualifying bids for Canada, Mexico and the United States, as hosts.

Six confederations hold qualifying contests. Below is a list of leagues and the available slots each has to put a nation in the World Cup tournament.

  • AFC (Asia): 8
  • CAF (Africa): 9
  • CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean): 6
  • CONMEBOL (South America): 6
  • OFC (Oceania): 1
  • UEFA (Europe): 16

Two more teams will be decided via a playoff.

World Cup Winners

Brazil has won five World Cups, more than any other nation. Germany, however, has been to eight finals, more than any other country.

Only clubs from UEFA and CONMEBOL have been to a World Cup Final. CAF, AFC, OFC and CONCACAF are still searching for their first finals appearance.

  • 2022 - Argentina 2 (4) over France 2 (2) (Host: Russia)
  • 2018 - France 4 over Croatia 2 (Host: Russia)
  • 2014 - Germany 1 over Argentina 0 (Host: Brazil)
  • 2010 - Spain 1 over Netherlands 0 (Host: South Africa)
  • 2006 - Italy 1 (5) over France 1 (3)(Host: Germany)
  • 2002 - Brazil 2 over Germany 0 (Host: Japan)

World Cup Past Top Goal Scorers

  • 2022 - Kylian Mbappe (8) - France
  • 2018 - Harry Kane (6) - England 
  • 2014 - James Rodriguez (6) - Colombia
  • 2010 - 4 Players Tied (5) *
  • 2006 - Miroslav Klose (5) - Germany
  • 2002 - Ronaldo (8) - Brazil

* - Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain), and Thomas Muller (Germany)

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson
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