Almost Every U.S. State Is Betting on Same Country To Win 2026 World Cup
The World Cup returns to North America this summer with games scheduled to take place across the continent in three different countries.
That is expected to raise the interest around the United States, but it doesn't mean different states will have different expectations for how the tournament will turn out.
According to one analysis, almost every state thinks the same country will raise the trophy when it is all over.
Viva La Espana
According to BetMGM, Spain is the favorite on betting tickets in 19 states and Washington, D.C., while only one other country registered in the analysis.
Which states picked Spain to win the World Cup for the first time since 2010?
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Washington D.C.
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Virginia
And who else was picked?
France, which last won it all in 2018, is favored in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
2026 World Cup betting favorites
Not coincidentally, Spain is the betting favorite at +450 while France is next at +500.
After those traditional heavyweights, England (+700), Portugal (+800) and Brazil and Argentina (both +900) round out the top six.
As for the host countries, the United States is getting +5000 odds to win the tournament while Mexico checks in at +6600.
Kylian Mbappe of France is the favorite to win the Golden Boot (most goals scored) while Lamine Yamal of Spain is the favorite to win the Golden Ball (best player) and France's Mike Maignan the favorite for Golden Glove (best goalie).
2026 World Cup schedule
The group stage of the World Cup begins June 11 and is set to run through June 27.
The round of 32 is set to run from June 28-July 3 with the round of 16 on July 4-7.
The quarterfinals are set for July 9-11 with the semifinals July 14-15 and the third-place game July 18.
The final will be played July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
READ MORE: Analysis finds a trend in where World Cup interest is highest
Spain's path to glory
The Spaniards are in Group H with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Spain begins its World Cup on Monday against Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
They will play Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta then take on Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 26.
Uruguay is +6600 to win the tournament and +600 to make the semifinals according to BetMGM.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 1:34 PM.