2026 World Cup Odds: Bettors Backing 'Fairytale Finish For Messi'
Sports bettors are favoring Argentina in the upcoming 2026 World Cup final against Spain following Argentina's victory over England. Oddsmakers expressed surprise at the final matchup, which was finalized after recent tournament results.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global sporting event with significant economic implications for the sports betting industry and international media.
As a soccer oddsmaker — and an English one at that — Mark Bickerdike knows it’s never over ‘til it’s over. But Bickerdike and his Caesars Sports trading team remain stunned that it’s Spain vs. Argentina odds on the board for the World Cup final, rather than Spain vs. England. "We were just about ready to release Spain vs. England and had to quickly change our plans," Bickerdike said Friday. That’s because Lionel Messi & Co. pulled yet another rabbit out of the hat to beat England on Wednesday. As such, Bickerdike now helps dive into World Cup odds for Spain vs. Argentina, in a 3 p.m. ET showdown Sunday on FOX. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated.
The article focuses on sports betting odds and tournament progression without taking a political stance.
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