FIFA World Cup Odds, Futures, and How to Bet

🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026 odds 

Odds provided by FanDuel, one of the best sports betting sites. 

What are World Cup odds?

World Cup odds are simply how the best World Cup betting sites show which teams are most likely to win the tournament - and how much you stand to win if you bet on them. Short odds (like +400) belong to favorites expected to make deep runs, while longer odds (like +5000 or higher) are attached to underdogs that would need a lot to go right. Those numbers aren’t predictions carved in stone; they’re a mix of probability, public betting behavior, and built-in sportsbook margin. As money comes in and circumstances change, the odds move.

Because the World Cup stretches over weeks, those odds are constantly reacting to new information. A key injury, an unexpected draw, or a dominant group-stage performance can all shift the market quickly. That’s what makes World Cup odds different from betting a single match - you’re wagering on an entire storyline playing out, not just 90 minutes. For some bettors, it’s about locking in a favorite early. For others, it’s about hunting value on teams that could peak at the right time and outlast expectations.

How World Cup futures betting works

World Cup futures betting allows you to wager on the eventual World Cup winner at odds that reflect a team’s perceived chances at the time the bet is placed. Once a futures bet is made, the odds are locked in and do not change, even as the market shifts throughout the season.

Because the World Cup futures market stays open for months, odds move as new information becomes available. Team performance, injuries, schedule difficulty, and betting volume all influence how sportsbooks adjust prices. Futures bets can be placed well before the tournament begins, during group play, and even well into the elimination rounds.

What moves World Cup odds?

World Cup odds move as new information enters the market and bettors react to it. Team news is the biggest driver: injuries, suspensions, lineup changes, and even hints about rotation can all shift prices quickly. Results matter too, but not always in obvious ways. A narrow win that exposes defensive issues can hurt a favorite’s odds, while a draw or loss that still shows strong underlying play might not move the needle much at all. Sportsbooks are constantly balancing on-field performance with how the public is betting.

Timing and money flow also play a major role. As the tournament goes on, paths to the final become clearer, and odds adjust based on potential matchups rather than raw team strength. Public sentiment can push popular teams shorter than their true probability, while less glamorous sides drift despite solid form. Add in factors like weather, travel, rest, and venue familiarity, and World Cup odds become a living market, one that’s always responding to both the football and the people betting on it.

When can you bet World Cup futures?

You can bet World Cup futures years in advance, often as soon as the previous tournament ends. Most of our best soccer betting sites hang early outright odds once qualification cycles begin, giving bettors a chance to lock in prices before rosters, groups, and even venues are finalized. These early markets are driven more by long-term program strength and public perception than specifics, which means they can be volatile (and occasionally generous) compared to what you’ll see closer to kickoff.

As the tournament approaches, futures markets become more detailed and more efficient. Odds are refreshed after qualification wraps up, again after the group draw, and then continuously once matches begin. During the World Cup itself, you can still bet futures between games, with prices shifting after every result. That flexibility is part of the appeal: some bettors jump in early for upside, others wait for clarity, and many use futures betting as an evolving strategy rather than a one-time wager.

Where can you bet World Cup futures?

World Cup futures are offered by all of our best sports betting apps, both online and at retail locations where sports betting is legal. While the market is widely available, the teams listed, odds shown, and betting limits can vary from one sportsbook to another.

Availability may also differ by location across our best sportsbooks, as betting regulations and sportsbook offerings are determined at the state or provincial level. In some cases, sportsbooks may adjust or limit World Cup futures later in the season, depending on market conditions and internal policies.

World Cup odds vs. other soccer futures markets

World Cup odds differ from most other soccer futures markets because they’re shaped by international football’s unique structure and long gaps between competitions. Unlike club futures, which are tied to leagues with weekly matches and stable rosters, World Cup futures span years and involve national teams that rarely play together.

That means odds are influenced less by form and more by program strength, depth, and tournament pedigree. A club’s title odds might swing weekly; a country’s World Cup odds often move in sharper bursts tied to qualifiers, major injuries, or the group draw.

There’s also a major difference in public behavior. World Cup odds attract massive casual interest, which can skew prices more than in Premier League title odds or UEFA Champions League odds futures. Popular nations often get bet heavily regardless of value, while less glamorous teams can drift even if their underlying profile is strong. By contrast, domestic league futures tend to be more efficient because they’re bet year-round by sharper, more informed audiences.

❓FIFA World Cup FAQ

Can you cash out a World Cup futures bet early?

Many sportsbooks offer cash-out options on World Cup futures, allowing bettors to lock in profit or limit losses before the tournament ends. Availability and value depend on the sportsbook and market conditions at the time.

Do World Cup odds include extra time and penalties?

Yes. World Cup futures bets account for the entire tournament outcome, regardless of whether matches are decided in regulation, extra time, or penalty shootouts.

How does the group draw affect World Cup odds?

The group draw can significantly shift futures markets by revealing potential paths to the knockout rounds. Favorable groups often shorten a team’s odds, while difficult draws can cause prices to drift.

Is it better to bet World Cup futures before or during the tournament?

Betting early offers higher potential payouts but comes with more uncertainty. In-tournament futures provide clearer information at shorter odds, appealing to bettors who prefer reduced risk.

What happens to a World Cup futures bet if a team is eliminated?

Once a team is eliminated from the tournament, any futures bet on that team to win the World Cup is settled as a loss.