Spain, France lead World Cup odds as U.S. bettors back home team - ESPN

Spain and France will begin the 2026 World Cup as the clear favorites to lift the trophy both among bettors and bookmakers, though the tournament taking place on North American soil is also pushing the United States betting public to back the home team at an outsize clip.

Spain is the consensus favorite across the sportsbook marketplace to win the World Cup, showing +450 at DraftKings Sportsbook. France is either the co-favorite or second favorite across the marketplace, with odds ranging from +450 to +500 from book to book.

Either way, bettors across the country are backing the favorites at an astonishing rate, with BetMGM reporting over 30% of its wagers and nearly half of its handle in the World Cup winner market are backing either of those two teams. Spain is the book's second-largest liability, even at its short price.

«I didn't realize that this would be a steady stream of money on these teams,» DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello told ESPN. «Those are the two favorites that have been very popular throughout, but especially lately. Over the last week or so, those two are getting an influx of money.»

Caesars Sportsbook soccer lead Mark Bickerdike said Spain and France are «rightfully the two teams to beat,» noting that there is a notable step down to the next tier — which includes England (+700), Argentina (+950) and Brazil (+950) — in terms of public popularity.

The one exception to that is Portugal, which has seen significant action at several books, including DraftKings, where it's the third-most backed by money. The Portuguese have shortened from 10-1 to +800 at the sportsbook in recent weeks, and they are as short as +750 at other sportsbooks.

The pre-tournament World Cup favorite has won it all only