The draw for the 2026 World Cup took place on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Esteemed athletes like Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky participated in the event to help establish the tournament brackets.
Ultimately, the United States secured a promising placement in Group D, where they will compete against the winners from Paraguay, Australia, and the European playoff involving Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo.
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The upcoming World Cup is the most heavily bet-on sporting event globally. So where does the U.S. fit in among the contenders?
According to BetMGM, Spain leads the betting odds at +400, followed by England (+600), France (+700), Brazil (+800), and last year’s champions, Argentina (+800). It remains uncertain if Argentine star Lionel Messi will participate in the tournament.
Before the draw, Spain had the highest percentage of total wagers at 13%, with England following at 9.9% and France at 9.3%. In terms of total dollar amounts wagered, Spain also leads with $17 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal has odds of 11-1, followed by Germany at 12-1 and the Netherlands at 16-1. All other teams are listed at a minimum of 25-1, with the U.S. at 50-1. Following the favorable draw, U.S. odds improved from 66-1.
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The United States opens as +100 favorites to win Group D, while Paraguay is at +225 and Australia at +800. The winner of the European playoff is listed at +375.
A significant bet placed before the draw included $5,000 on Hard Rock Bet for the United States to win the championship at 75-1 odds, which would yield a payout of $375,000 if they claim their first World Cup title.
The U.S. will kick off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Fan Take: This news is monumental for soccer enthusiasts as it not only marks a hopeful chapter for the U.S. team but also revitalizes interest in American soccer. A successful World Cup could inspire a new generation of players and fans, further elevating the sport’s profile in the country.
