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Getty ImagesWe are deep into the 2026 World Cup and the odds for outright markets are shifting all the time as teams advance and go home, while betting sites scramble to get the next knockout contest priced up.
The Standard have pulled together the best World Cup odds from various markets, including outright winner odds, Golden Boot and the latest match odds, creating a one-stop shop for all the top 2026 World Cup odds.
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World Cup 2026 winner odds
World Cup outright winner odds are a reflection of each team’s chances of winning the entire tournament. Most bookmakers will also offer bettors the chance to place an each-way wager on this market. Typically, an each-way bet will only secure a return if a team reaches the final, with bookmakers paying out at half the starting odds if they finish as runners-up.
Pedigree and quality are always highly valued when it comes to odds to win World Cup 2026, with previous winners Spain (2010), France (1998, 2018), Argentina (1978, 1986, 2022), Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and England (1966) all currently at the top of the current market.
Argentina are the reigning champions, whilst France have reached the last two finals. You can view the full list of finalists and winners below.
Year
Winner
Runner-up
Host
1930
Uruguay
Argentina
Uruguay
1934
Italy
Czechoslovakia
Italy
1938
Italy
Hungary
France
1950
Uruguay
Brazil
Brazil
1954
West Germany
Hungary
Switzerland
1958
Brazil
Sweden
Sweden
1962
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
Chile
1966
England
West Germany
England
1970
Brazil
West Germany
Mexico
1974
West Germany
Netherlands
West Germany
1978
Argentina
Netherlands
Argentina
1982
Italy
West Germany
Spain
1986
Argentina
West Germany
Mexico
1990
West Germany
Argentina
Italy
1994
Brazil
Italy
USA
1998
France
Brazil
France
2002
Brazil
Germany
Japan & South Korea
2006
Italy
France
Germany
2010
Spain
Netherlands
South Africa
2014
Germany
Argentina
Brazil
2018
France
Croatia
Russia
2022
Argentina
France
Qatar
World Cup 2026 match odds
World Cup match odds simply display the price on each team to win a particular fixture, as well as the odds on a draw.
Sometimes you may see this displayed as 1X2 - where 1 is the home team, X is the draw, and 2 is the away team. However, for most teams, they will be playing at neutral venues for the World Cup, so the 1 refers to the team listed first in the fixture, and 2 refers to the team listed second.
Match odds become more relevant as the tournament starts, as team news becomes more concrete and form can be properly gauged. As the tournament progresses, it is important to check whether the match odds apply only to the outcome after 90 minutes, or to extra time and penalties as well.
Usually, betting sites will offer match odds on a knockout game, and then have an alternative market with different World Cup 2026 betting odds on the teams to qualify for the next round. To qualify markets cover the outcome after 90 minutes, as well as extra time and penalties.
Always make sure to check the terms of your bet before placing it.
2026 World Cup Golden Boot odds
The Golden Boot is the top individual honour at any World Cup and is awarded to the top goalscorer at the tournament.
The race to win the 2026 Golden Boot is turning out to be an epic battle with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland all in the mix to take home the individual honour.
Bettors can either place a win-only bet on this market, meaning there wager will only show a return if their selection finishes as the top scorer, or they can go each way.
An each-way bet means bettors will get a return if their selection finishes in the top four, with most bookmakers paying 1/4 odds.
Should two players finish level on goals at the World Cup, the tie will be decided by the number of assists they have.
Where to bet on the 2026 World Cup
Here at The Standard, our sports betting experts have compiled a list of the best bookmakers for the World Cup, ranking each on various criteria, including odds, market range, free bet offers, betting tools, in-play options, safer helping application, and more.
Bookmaker
Bet builder
Early payout
Money back offers
Odds boosts
Live betting
✓
✓
✗
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✗
✓
✓
✓
✗
✗
✓
✓
Spreadex World Cup betting offer
✓
✓
✗
✓
✓
Key details for the 2026 World Cup
The World Cup has been expanded for the first time since the 1998 edition, growing from 32 to 48 countries. That means there is now an extra stage - the Round of 32 - and four more groups, producing even more football across the 39 days of the World Cup.
- Start date: 11 June 2026 (opening match Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
- Final: 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Tournament length: 39 days
- Hosts: USA (78 matches), Canada (13 matches), Mexico (13 matches)
- Teams: 48
- Matches: 104 in total
- Format: 12 groups of 4, then a new Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off and final
- Group stage: 11 - 27 June
- Round of 32: 28 June - 3 July
- Round of 16: 4 - 7 July
- Quarter-finals: 9 - 11 July
- Semi-finals: 14 - 15 July
- Third-place play-off: 18 July
- Final: 19 July
2026 World Cup Venues
City
Stadium
Country
Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
USA
Boston (Foxborough)
Gillette Stadium
USA
Dallas (Arlington)
AT&T Stadium
USA
Houston
NRG Stadium
USA
Kansas City
Arrowhead Stadium
USA
Los Angeles (Inglewood)
SoFi Stadium
USA
Miami
Hard Rock Stadium
USA
New York / New Jersey (East Rutherford)
MetLife Stadium - final venue
USA
Philadelphia
Lincoln Financial Field
USA
San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara)
Levi’s Stadium
USA
Seattle
Lumen Field
USA
Toronto
BMO Field
Canada
Vancouver
BC Place
Canada
Mexico City
Estadio Azteca - opening match venue
Mexico
Guadalajara
Estadio Akron
Mexico
Monterrey
Estadio BBVA
Mexico
World Cup 2026 betting trends
- Just two of the 11 pre-tournament favourites between 1982 and 2022 went on to win the trophy (Brazil in 1994 and Spain in 2010) - Brazil were the bookies' favourite at both 2018 and 2022.
- No nation has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and 4 of the last 6 defending champions exited in the group stage (France 2002, Italy 2010, Spain 2014, Germany 2018) - France in 2022 reached the final but lost on penalties to Argentina.
- Host nations have won six of 22 World Cups, but not since France in 1998 - 28 years and 7 tournaments ago.
- Favourites win around 57 per cent of group-stage matches.
- No team has reached more World Cup finals than Germany (8).
- Scotland and South Korea have suffered more first round eliminations than any other nation with eight apiece.
World Cup 2026 betting markets
The outright winners and match odds markets are only the start of World Cup betting. There are lots of ways to bet on the World Cup, several methods to earn World Cup free bets, and plenty of reading to do to help potentially maximise those wagers.
- World Cup 2026 betting markets - Your reference to all of the bet types for the tournament.
- World Cup 2026 accumulator bets - The Standard’s advice to placing acca bets at the World Cup.
- World Cup golden boot & top scorer odds - Goalscorers win games, but who will bag the most goals this summer?
- Goalscorer tips: anytime & first goalscorer bets for the World Cup - With 104 games and 1,248 players, there’s value to be found in these markets.
World Cup 2026 odds - frequently asked questions
What is World Cup outright betting?
Outright betting is a bet on a tournament-long market, such as the winner, top scorer, or Golden Ball, rather than a single match.
Bets placed ante-post on World Cup betting sites won’t be settled until the tournament is over, locking away the stake for a longer period of time. However, outright bets can also offer greater value than match wagers, where prices tend to be shorter.
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The action starts 11 June 2026 with the opening match, Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. The action then lasts through to the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium - 39 days of football festivities.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
France are the current favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, closely followed by Argentina. Spain are third favourites, ahead of England, who face a tricky road to the final.
What is the difference between match and World Cup 2026 winner odds?
Outright World Cup odds are pre-tournament prices for the eventual winner, settled when the final is played. Match odds are prices on a single fixture, usually settled at full time (90 minutes).
What changed for UK betting in January 2026?
New legislation was introduced at the start of 2026 which banned the mixing of betting and casino bonuses for welcome offers, while a wagering requirement cap was set at 10x.
We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's best online gambling companies.
Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.