The World Cup odds tell us a lot about who the bookmakers think are the favourites, what players are expected to make history and what we can look forward to at the upcoming tournament. Outrights, pre-match and live odds - you can find all that for a fun World Cup 2026™ betting experience.
World Cup 2026™ Odds
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How Do World Cup Betting Odds Work?
Every stage of the World Cup journey is followed by the odds the bookmakers set. We start with the odds for individual qualifying matches and with the outright odds for the World Cup winner, top scorer and other popular markets.
Outright odds change through the qualifications, playoffs, at the moment we learn about all the participants, and all the way to the very start of the tournament. The odds tell you the favourites for winning the title and the individual accolades.
For example, in December 2025, the favourite to win the title was Spain, with odds of 5.50, followed by England at 7.00. Brazil, Argentina and France were next on the list, while at the very bottom, New Caledonia, Curaçao and Haiti had odds as high as 5001 to win the title.
The World Cup 2026™ odds keep changing throughout the event as the matches progress, as well. Of course, that’s when we also get odds for each match past the group phase. Odds for the group phase get formed the moment we learn the fixtures.
How Are WC 2026 Odds Calculated?
Bookmakers calculate the FIFA World Cup™ betting odds based on various criteria, and with so many influences, it’s no wonder that they fluctuate constantly throughout their validity period. Here are some basic things that influence how odds are calculated:
- Previous results: Sportsbooks look at the results from the previous big competitions, qualifiers, and potentially playoffs when determining the shape of the team and what their outright odds will be. As the tournament progresses, the odds can change significantly.
- FIFA world rankings: The FIFA Men’s World Ranking list also has some influence on the odds, but it is not decisive.
- Roster news: Players decide to withdraw from the competition for various reasons, such as retiring from playing for their country. The manager can decide to leave a player out because of poor shape and bad reputation, which can all affect the team’s odds.
- Other statistics: Bookies look at team and player statistics to set odds, especially once the tournament is underway. We are not only talking about World Cup winner odds at that moment, but also individual match odds.
- People’s betting behaviour: Odds are also based on people’s betting behaviour and their betting patterns.
If you are a fan of multiple bets, we suggest that you use an odds calculator for the type of bet you wish to make, so you will know what to expect.
Most Popular World Cup 2026™ Betting Odds
Some betting odds for World Cup 2026™ become available long before the tournament kicks off, and those are the popular markets bettors enjoy. Here are some of the most popular odds:
World Cup Winner Odds
The World Cup winner betting odds are outright (or futures) odds, and they show how likely teams are to win the title. The odds are set when a team is a confirmed participant in the event, and they can fluctuate until the final.
Looking at these odds is the best way to learn who bookmakers think are the favourites for winning the title, and what teams could be waiting for their chance to shine. These odds tend to change, so if you see some you wish to grab, don’t wait too long if they start to fluctuate.
Top Goalscorer Odds
The top scorer market is another outright market that spreads out from the beginning of the qualifications and all the way to the World Cup final. Of course, the odds might change as the tournament progresses, but all players should stay in the race, especially high scorers.
The favourites will be the players who have scored many goals during the club football season and in the previous major international tournaments. Of course, these superstars attract huge betting interest and many wagers, such as Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane.
The top goalscorer is not the only player-based futures market, as there are World Cup 2026 betting odds for the top scorer in the top teams and the best player of the tournament, and more.
Match Winner Odds (1X2)
As soon as we learn the World Cup groups and fixtures, some bookmakers publish the odds for the first round matches. As the event approaches, they adjust the odds, and you can bet on the pre-match match winner market until the match begins.
This is a market that is also popular for live betting, where bettors look to snatch lucrative odds if developments on the pitch make it possible.
Why World Cup 2026™ Odds Change
As we have already explained, it is normal that the odds fluctuate as we learn new information and the tournament approaches. Let’s sum up some of the factors that influence the World Cup odds:
- Team news: This doesn’t happen very often, but some unexpected events, such as family reasons or lack of discipline, could lead to a player missing a whole tournament or a part of it. That could influence the team’s odds.
- Player injuries: Key player injuries can have a major impact on the odds that bookmakers give to a team. Imagine if a national team’s top goalscorer gets injured before the World Cup. That would influence their odds of winning the competition.
- Qualification and playoff results: The performances in these matches are closely linked to the tournament, but are not the sole indicators of what the teams’ performance will be like.
- Betting volume: How people bet and what they wager on also influences the odds the bookmakers set for various most popular markets.
Tips for Comparing World Cup Betting Odds
If you wish to grab some good betting odds for World Cup 2026™ for your favourite markets, here are a few tips on what you could do:
- Choose a few sportsbooks that fit your betting style. If you are looking for new betting destinations, make sure to read our sportsbook reviews first.
- Locate the World Cup offers and betting markets on the betting sites you choose.
- Compare the odds the bookmakers offer. Make sure to check multiple markets and watch their movements.
- Sign up with a betting site that offers the best odds for your preferred markets.
If the odds are not to your liking, track them for a while and see if they would change. That should tell you if you should wait a little longer or snatch the odds on offer.
FAQ
Are lower odds always safer?
Generally speaking, lower odds should be safer than higher odds, but there are no guarantees that lower odds will bring you a win.
Are World Cup 2026™ betting odds the same at every sportsbook?
World Cup 2026™ betting odds are not the same everywhere because each bookmaker sets the odds for the markets on offer.
Can World Cup betting odds be suspended or removed?
The World Cup odds work pretty much the same as the odds for other tournaments. Odds and markets can get suspended, especially in live betting.
Which World Cup 2026™ odds format is best for beginners?
The best odds format for every bettor is the one you are most comfortable using and the format you understand best.
Can I change odds formats when betting on the World Cup?
Most sportsbooks allow you to switch odds formats between the available ones they offer. If the sportsbook doesn’t have multiple odds formats, you can use an odds converter.
