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Spain, France open World Cup as betting favorites

ESPN · Jun 11, 2026, 5:13 AM · Also reported by 2 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Spain is the consensus favorite across the sportsbook marketplace to win the World Cup, showing +450 at Draft Kings Sportsbook.
  • Spain is the book's second-largest liability, even at its short price.
  • "I didn't realize that this would be a steady stream of money on these teams," DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello told ESPN.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

Spain is the consensus favorite across the sportsbook marketplace to win the World Cup, showing +450 at Draft Kings Sportsbook. France is either the co-favorite or second-favorite across the marketplace, with odds ranging from +450 to +500 from book to book.

Either way, bettors across the country are backing the favorites at an astonishing rate, with BetMGM reporting over 30% of its wagers and nearly half of its handle in the World Cup winner market backing either of those two teams. Spain is the book's second-largest liability, even at its short price.

"I didn't realize that this would be a steady stream of money on these teams," DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello told ESPN. "Those are the two favorites that have been very popular throughout, but especially lately. Over the last week or so, those two are getting an influx of money."

Article preview — originally published by ESPN. Full story at the source.
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