The 2026 World Cup is here, and it's already the biggest edition ever played — 48 teams, three host nations, and a final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The first match is already done. Now the USA take center stage Friday night in Los Angeles against Paraguay, 9 p.m. ET, with the Americans sitting at +110 on the money line and the over/under set at 2.5 goals.
Paraguay are +285 and drawing early money. Don't sleep on that.
Who's Favored to Win It All
Spain enter as the slight tournament favorites at +450, backed by their Euro 2024 title and a squad packed with Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Pedri at peak form. France are right behind at +470 — they've been in the last two finals, and Kylian Mbappe scored 25 league goals for Real Madrid this season. England come in at +650, Brazil at +850.
The USA are +6000 longshots to lift the trophy. Harsh, but honest — they're in Group D alongside Turkey (the group's top-ranked side at No. 13 in the world), Australia, and Paraguay. Christian Pulisic is the +300 favorite to lead the Americans in goals, fresh off eight goals and four assists for AC Milan in Serie A. Weston McKennie contributed five goals and seven assists for Juventus. This team has real weapons, even if the draw was unkind.
The Groups Worth Watching
Group C is the standout on paper. Brazil (-370) are enormous favorites, but Morocco (+370) reached the 2022 semifinals and have the squad to cause problems again. Scotland and Haiti make up the rest — Brazil shouldn't sleepwalk through this, but the odds suggest they will.
Group H puts Spain (-450) alongside Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. That's as close to a guaranteed group winner as you'll find in a 48-team draw. The real action is in Group D and Group I, where France (-230) face Norway — meaning Mbappe versus Erling Haaland at some point in the group stage. That alone is worth watching.
Argentina (-310 in Group J) begin their title defense against Algeria on June 16. Lionel Messi is back, still at Inter Miami, still the record-holder for most World Cup appearances (26). Whether he can lead Argentina to back-to-back titles at 38 years old is the tournament's defining question.
Key Betting Types Explained
- Three-way money line: Back a win or a draw — if you pick a team and it ends level, you lose.
- Draw no bet: A draw returns your stake. Lower payout, less risk.
- Double chance: Cover a win or a draw with one bet. The odds shrink accordingly.
- Over/under: 2.5 goals is the standard line. Three goals or more = Over wins.
- Both teams to score: Simple yes/no — one of the most popular markets in international football.
- Tournament winner / Golden Boot: Futures markets that reprice after every round.
The sportsbooks currently offering the most competitive World Cup markets include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, and Hard Rock Bet. New users at FanDuel can get $350 in bonus bets by wagering $5 for seven days. DraftKings is offering $200 in bonus bets after a first $5 wager. BetMGM will refund up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses. bet365 gives $365 in bonus bets on a $10+ first wager win or lose.
The group stage runs through June 27. Knockout rounds begin June 28. The final is July 19 in New Jersey. Forty-eight teams started this thing — only one lifts the trophy, and the odds market will shift dramatically after every single round.
