The 2026 FIFA World Cup is only months to kick off, and the betting interest is intensifying. For the first time in history, the World Cup 2026 will expand to 48 teams, and the games will take place across three different countries, making the tournament more unpredictable than ever.
Sportsbooks start posting early odds and predictions. Will the defending champion, Argentina, be one of the front-runners to triumph? Who will bring the 2026 World Cup trophy home? Who are the rising underdogs that might disrupt the hierarchy?
Early betting trends can help bettors find and anticipate hidden values. Here are early movements to give you an edge on the road to the World Cup 2026.
Early odds and predictions
Traditional giants like Argentina, Brazil, England, and France are believed to dominate the 2026 World Cup betting market. Bettors are also showing interest in countries like Portugal and Spain for their talents and strategies.
Each team's historical patterns also shape the bookmakers’ early predictions. One of the trends that sets the odds is that Europe and South America have won every World Cup to date. However, this long-term dominance trend can shift, for example, Morocco made it to the semifinal round in the 2022 World Cup. Historical precedent is no longer a guarantee for triumph in the 2026 World Cup.
Underdog value picks
The early 2026 World Cup betting trends reveal opportunities for small teams to succeed. Countries like Japan, Morocco, Mexico, and the United States are now getting attention from sharp bettors who see values like tactical evolution and steady growth. Smart bettors often look beyond names to identify the teams’ growth. Factors like average goals per match, FIFA ranking improvements, and defensive stability are projecting the potential.
For example, Japan has a steady improvement in its FIFA rankings, while Morocco has one of the best defensive tactics in the 2022 World Cup. And as hosting countries, the US and Mexico are predicted to have an improvement in their performance.
The regional factors
Smart bettors should consider the regional and environmental factors surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which is set to unfold across three countries: the US, Mexico, and Canada. History shows that host nations tend to perform beyond expectations. For example, South Korea in the semifinal run in 2002 and Russia in the quarterfinal match in 2018.
Weather and travel conditions can also significantly affect the match outcomes. Teams need to adapt to the humid conditions, cooler weather, high-altitude venues, and other regional distinctions as the tournament spans three countries.
Data trends from past tournaments
To understand the early World Cup 2026 betting trends, bettors should look into the data trends from past tournaments. For example, bettors should learn from the unpredictability of the 2018 World Cup, when the Russian team surprised fans with their dramatic quarterfinal push. Bettors should also anticipate upsets from powerhouses, as Germany and Argentina are struggling in the group stage.
Smart bettors should also involve data analytics and AI in their strategies. Combining data like expected goals, travel analytics, and AI prediction tools can help bettors identify market inefficiencies.
