With the highly anticipated 48-team World Cup set for next summer, the groups were drawn on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A mix of FIFA legends, dignitaries, and celebrities participated in assigning teams to their respective pots, thereby revealing the matchups for the tournament that will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Currently, 42 teams have confirmed their spots, with the final six to be determined in March.
Among the top contenders, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany are favored to excel in the group stage, thanks to their successful track records in recent tournaments and player depth. Spain, the reigning European champions, aim for continued success, while Argentina seeks to secure back-to-back titles. Though Germany has faced challenges in recent World Cups, it remains a historical powerhouse with four championships. Brazil leads the pack with five titles overall.
Other teams set to make an impact include Portugal and France. The French squad, having reached the finals twice in a row and securing the title in 2018, follows closely on the heels of Portugal, the latest UEFA Nations League champions.
The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) has drawn a relatively favorable group, facing Paraguay, Australia, and an undecided team from a playoff (options include Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo). After winning their friendlies against both opponents earlier this year with a 4-1 goal differential, the USMNT’s confidence is bolstered, but challenges loom ahead, given their disappointing performance in the 2024 Copa América.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino advocated for optimism while underscoring the need for respect towards upcoming adversaries, particularly after recent tournament exits. As we explore the odds for each country’s potential knockout progression, we present you the standings via DraftKings Sportsbook as of December 5.
Odds to Advance to Knockout Stage
- Spain: -10000 (bet $10 to win $10.10 total)
- Argentina: -10000 (bet $10 to win $10.10 total)
- Brazil: -10000 (bet $10 to win $10.10 total)
- Germany: -10000 (bet $10 to win $10.10 total)
- Portugal: -2500 (bet $10 to win $10.40 total)
- France: -2500 (bet $10 to win $10.40 total)
- United States: -575 (bet $10 to win $11.74 total)
This analysis aims to give fans insights into what to expect during the upcoming tournament, helping enthusiasts gauge where their support and bets may yield the best results.
