Spain enter the 2026 World Cup as the betting favourites at +450, riding back-to-back major tournament wins — Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League — and carrying the best player on the planet right now in 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. France (+480) and England (+650) complete the top three, with defending champions Argentina drifting out to +1000 despite Lionel Messi still being on the teamsheet. If you're looking to get money down before kick-off on June 11, this is where the value conversation starts.
For the first time in the tournament's history, 48 teams compete across 12 groups, with the top two from each group advancing automatically alongside the eight best third-placed sides. The expanded format means more football, more margin for error — and more betting angles than any previous World Cup. The three-nation hosting setup across the United States, Mexico and Canada adds a further layer, with home-crowd energy potentially worth a goal of handicap for co-hosts in their early group games.
The groups worth watching closely
Group D is the one that jumps out immediately. Turkey (+175) are ranked 13th in the world and slot in ahead of the USA (+140 favourites) at No. 14. Australia and Paraguay fill out a group with the tightest odds spread in the entire draw. The Americans have failed to get out of the group stage twice in the last six cycles — their odds reflect optimism more than recent history, and Turkey at plus money deserves serious consideration.
Germany (-310) in Group E look the safest group winner bet on the board. After two consecutive group-stage exits, they have genuine motivation and genuine quality — Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz in the same squad is a different proposition to what showed up in Qatar. Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador are the opposition. That price will shorten fast once the tournament starts.
Group C is the one neutral fans will want to watch. Brazil (-370) against Morocco (+370) in the opening fixture at the New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13 is essentially a knockout game preview. Morocco reached the 2022 semi-finals; Brazil hasn't won a World Cup since 1994 and has been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in four of their last five tournaments. Vinícius Jr. leads a squad that has the talent to go all the way but a habit of falling short when it matters.
Where to bet — and how to claim the best current offers
Online sportsbooks are now legal in more than 30 US states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. The major platforms — DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics and Hard Rock Bet — are all running sign-up promotions ahead of the tournament. Here's what's currently on the table:
- FanDuel Sportsbook: Bet $5 per day for 7 days, get $350 in bonus bets
- DraftKings Sportsbook: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets instantly after your first wager settles
- BetMGM (code CBSSPORTS): Up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet loses
- bet365: Bet $10, get $365 in bonus bets regardless of result
- Caesars (code CBSDYW): Bet $1, get 100% profit boosts on your next 10 wagers
- Fanatics (code CBSFAN): 10 x $100 bet matches in FanCash over 10 days, or a 100% profit boost token for 5 days
- Hard Rock Bet: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins
No promo code is required for FanDuel or DraftKings — just sign up as a new user and meet the minimum age requirement in a legal state. All bonus bets have standard terms attached, so check expiry windows before placing.
Key team previews and group winner odds
Spain (-450 in Group H) are as close to a banker as this tournament offers at the group stage. They're ranked No. 1 in the world, and their opponents — Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde — are a significant step down in quality. The challenge comes in the knockout rounds, where France and England lurk on the other side of the draw.
Argentina (-310 in Group J) open against Algeria on June 16 and should progress without drama. The real question is how Messi's legs hold up across a month-long tournament at 38 years old. He scored seven goals in Qatar, including two in the final — nobody is writing him off. But +1000 to win the whole thing reflects genuine uncertainty about his durability, not disrespect for his ability.
England (-320 in Group L) face Croatia, Ghana and Panama — a draw that should deliver a comfortable group-stage exit and put them in the knockout rounds with energy to spare. Harry Kane arrives with eight World Cup goals already, coming off a full season at Bayern Munich. Jude Bellingham adds the unpredictability England have historically lacked. The squad is better than it has been since 1966. Whether the tournament delivers on that is a different conversation entirely.
The USA (+6000 to win the tournament, +140 to win Group D) are getting a serious test early. Christian Pulisic leads a squad that includes Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun, but Turkey present a genuine threat in what could effectively be a must-win game before the groups are even complete. Home support will be real — but it didn't save them in 2022, and it won't automatically solve a difficult draw this time.
What types of bets are available
Beyond the outright winner market, there are a range of ways to bet on the World Cup:
- Three-way moneyline: Back either team to win, or back the draw. If the match ends level and you backed a team, that's a loss — no returns.
- Draw no bet: Removes the draw option. A tie means your stake is returned, but the shorter odds reflect the reduced risk.
- Double chance: Back a team to win or draw. Lower payout, higher probability.
- Asian handicap/spread: A -1.5 handicap means the team needs to win by two or more goals to cover.
- Over/under goals: 2.5 is the standard line. Three or more goals = Over lands; two or fewer = Under.
- Both teams to score (BTTS): Simple yes/no — one of the most popular markets in international football.
- Group winner: Back any of the 48 teams to finish top of their respective group.
- Golden Boot: Most goals in the tournament. Mbappe won it in 2022 with eight; he enters 2026 off a 25-goal La Liga season for Real Madrid.
- Tournament winner futures: Spain (+450) to Argentina (+1000) and beyond. Prices will move significantly once the group stage plays out.
- Stage of elimination props: Back teams to reach the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals or final.
Full group stage schedule (all times ET)
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The group stage alone spans nearly three weeks of wall-to-wall football. Key opening fixtures:
- Thursday June 11 — Mexico vs South Africa, 3pm (Mexico City); Korea Republic vs Czechia, 10pm (Guadalajara)
- Friday June 12 — Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, 3pm (Toronto); USA vs Paraguay, 9pm (Los Angeles)
- Saturday June 13 — Brazil vs Morocco, 6pm (New York/New Jersey); Qatar vs Switzerland, 3pm (San Francisco)
- Sunday June 14 — Germany vs Curaçao, 1pm (Houston); Netherlands vs Japan, 4pm (Dallas)
- Monday June 15 — Spain vs Cape Verde, 12pm (Atlanta); Belgium vs Egypt, 3pm (Seattle)
- Tuesday June 16 — France vs Senegal, 3pm (New York/New Jersey); Argentina vs Algeria, 9pm (Kansas City)
- Wednesday June 17 — Portugal vs DR Congo, 1pm (Houston); England vs Croatia, 4pm (Dallas)
The World Cup final takes place on Sunday July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Brazil won the last time the tournament was held in North America — 1994, a penalty shootout win over Italy. They haven't lifted the trophy in the 32 years since. That streak ends or extends in New Jersey next summer.
