Get in on the World Cup 2026 Action Before the Final Whistle Blows

With the World Cup final hot on our heels, we thought it would be a great time to look at how the rounds have progressed, which teams are the hot favourites to take the cup, and what your betting options are. 

We also look at which online casinos and sportsbooks are offering the hottest odds and biggest bonuses to boost your bank balance, allowing you to play to the whistle.

The New World Cup Format Could Be Expanded Further

Fox News reported that, based on the success of the expanded World Cup 2026 roster to 48 teams competing in 12 groups of four, there is a chance that the tournament will be expanded to 64 teams.

When asked by Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport about a 64-team format, Gianni Infantino, FIFA's president, said:

“This is certainly an issue that will be looked at and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup. When you organize a World Cup, it's important that you organize it for the whole world. It's not just Europe and South America, but the entire world, effectively. Every nation should be able to dream of taking part in the World Cup.”

Should FIFA approve such a dramatically expanded format, it could be good news for sports betting, football fans, and the US economy.

With a staggering 75 stadiums with 60,000-seat capacity, the United States is the only country in the world capable of hosting a tournament of its scope while keeping to the one-month window that the World Cup is known for.

Which Teams Are Shining Brightest in the Final Rounds?

With the many hard-fought victories under their respective belts, the final teams battling it out for World Cup 2026 supremacy are France, Spain, England, and Argentina.

The odds on the overall winner are:

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty and build an acca around how teams will place the odds seem to fall as follows:

• Cup Winner: France
• Second Place: England
• Third Place: Spain
• Fourth Place: Argentina

For punters who bet on who will reach the top three, this clearly gives France, England and Spain each ‘Yes’.

High and Lows: World Cup Player Performance

While the new format stole the limelight in the beginning, the tournament has delivered its share of highs and lows.

Top Goalscorer of the World Cup:

On the one hand, we had the elation of witnessing Messi steam past Miroslav Klose’s long-standing 16-goal record by netting his 17th and 18th goals in a 2–0 win over Austria. Then we watched in horror as Alexander Sørloth refused to pass to Erling Haaland, ultimately costing Norway a well-deserved place in the semi-finals.

With scoring, or not, in mind, here are how the Top Goalscorer odds are panning out:

Top Goalkeeper of the World Cup:

Scoring is one side of the coin; the other is the fearless goalkeeper who faces off against world-class strikers, penalty takers, and the errant header that flies in out of nowhere.

Here is how the odds are looking for the top-performing goalies at sites like Stake Sports and bet365 Sports:

Join the Best Bookmaker for Your Needs

To get in on the action and back your favourite team to win, we recommend joining gambling sites like bet365, 1xBet, Stake and 22Bet, which all have a proven track record for fair play, great odds, live streaming matches, stellar customer service, and honouring withdrawals.

They also offer fantastic bet enhancers. Here is a look at how they compare:

Still looking for more? We have rated and reviewed a large selection of global sportsbooks that offer bets and payouts in local currencies and a range of popular cryptocurrencies.