World Cup Betting Outlook: Forecasts and Advice

(AsiaGameHub) –   National squads have gathered and are competing in pre-tournament friendly matches as the World Cup’s opening kick-off draws closer. Boasting 48 teams, this edition will be the largest World Cup ever. Our preview outlines the top betting opportunities ahead of the tournament, which marks the first time the event has come to the U.S. since sports betting was widely legalized.

Since a large number of Americans can legally place bets on the tournament, it’s projected to bring in a record betting volume—surpassing the $35 billion wagered during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

With its expanded structure, the tournament will feature 104 matches, an increase from the 64 played in the previous World Cup. Instead of focusing on single matches, our preview centers on futures bets.

Outright Winner

Starting with the outright winner market, European teams lead the betting odds. Spain (+475) is the slight favorite, followed by France (+500) and England (+650). All three possess strong rosters, and any of these nations could reasonably be expected to win the trophy.

Spain is the reigning European champion, having beaten both France and England en route to their 2024 victory. They also find themselves in a relatively easy group, going up against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and Uruguay. They’re likely to gain momentum as the tournament progresses and will definitely be present in the later rounds. However, the odds are too low for our liking, so we’re searching for a more valuable bet elsewhere.

Argentina (+1000) holds the title of defending champion, and Lionel Messi—at 38 years old—will almost certainly be playing in his final World Cup. He’s anticipated to be fit in time for the team’s opening match against Algeria. Julian Alvarez will also pose a significant attacking threat.

What stands out most about Argentina is their sturdy defense. Emi Martinez was a standout performer in the last World Cup and is arguably the world’s top goalkeeper. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero bring toughness to the backline, while Enzo Fernandez will once again be the backbone of the midfield. The squad remains mostly the same as the 2022 winning team, and after their previous success, they’ll be confident in their ability to defeat any opponent.

South American teams have typically dominated World Cups held outside Europe—winning the trophy 9 out of 11 times in such cases. Argentina seems like a better bet than Brazil (+850) to keep this streak alive. They finished 10 points ahead of their South American rivals in qualifying and even defeated Brazil 4-1 during that period. Despite this, bookmakers have set higher odds for the defending champions.

Best Bet: Argentina (+1000 FanDuel)

Hosts To Thrive In Front Of Home Crowds

The tournament is co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. All three host nations are top seeds in their respective groups, which means they won’t face European or South American powerhouses in the initial stages.

Across 20 World Cups, host countries have finished first in their group 14 times. This expanded format makes it even easier for hosts to top their groups, as the strongest teams are spread out across 12 groups.

Mexico (-125) and the U.S. (+140) are favored to win their groups, while Canada (+200) trails Switzerland (-125) in the race to top Group B. Switzerland didn’t perform particularly well in qualifying, drawing away matches against Kosovo and Slovenia.

As noted earlier, European teams often struggle when playing outside their continent, so we’re willing to bet that home advantage will help Canada finish first in their group. Coach Jesse Marsch stated that this is the strongest squad Canada has ever put together. Alphonso Davies is expected to be fit for at least the match against Switzerland, which could be a crucial factor.

Best Bet: USA, Canada, and Mexico To Win Groups (+1274 DraftKings)

Top Goalscorer

Kylian Mbappe (+600) and Harry Kane (+700) lead the odds to be the tournament’s top scorer. However, we’re once again seeking a more value-driven bet than the favorites.

With more matches in this edition, teams have the chance to score plenty of goals early on. Germany is in a favorable group that includes debutants Curaçao, Ecuador, and the Ivory Coast.

Kai Havertz scored the first goal in Arsenal’s Champions League final win, and we wish we had fully committed to our prediction that he would score first in that match. At +5000, he represents excellent value to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer.

Havertz was sidelined for most of the season due to injury but made a strong comeback towards the end of the campaign. He should be fresher than many other players heading into the World Cup. As Germany’s main striker, he’ll receive plenty of scoring opportunities thanks to support from Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in midfield.

The 26-year-old scored two goals in the last World Cup and two more at Euro 2024, proving he has a track record of scoring in major tournaments. Given his long odds, he’s a standout pick as a starting forward for a top nation to claim the golden boot.

Best Bet: Kai Havertz To Be Top Goalscorer (+5000 DraftKings)

As the tournament gets underway, keep an eye out for additional tips on individual matches.