World Cup 2026 draw sets out betting favorites as markets take shape

The World Cup 2026 draw was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025, officially setting the stage and soccer betting favorites for FIFA’s biggest tournament to date.

The draw marked the men’s World Cup’s first return to the United States since the iconic 1994 edition and the new expanded format.

For the first time in its history, the competition will feature 48 teams, spread across 12 groups, followed by an extended knockout phase.

Europe’s elite and South America’s traditional powerhouses continue to dominate early projections, even as the expanded format introduces a larger suite of games and possible secondary group favorites, causing an upset.

World Cup 2026 format designed for established betting favorites

The 2026 World Cup format features more teams and more fixtures. Three teams advancing from most groups and an additional knockout round absorbing the expanded field show that the risk of an early exit for elite nations isn’t on the cards.

In practical terms, it makes a repeat of shock eliminations, such as France’s group-stage exit in 2002, far less likely.

Squad rotation, depth, and recovery may prove as decisive as star quality in the 2026 tournament, as fixture congestion is expected to rival or exceed that of Russia 2018.

There has been a notable ticket backlash since the draw settled and the markets reacted to the biggest games on show. Fan groups forced FIFA to rethink pricing as a result of the first negative shot across the bow for tournament organisers.

@FIFAcom's #WorldCup ticket prices are a betrayal to the most dedicated fans. At least $6900 to support your team from the first match to the final – nearly 5 times more than in Qatar.

FSE calls for the immediate halt to ticket sales.