Morning Sports Update
Jordan, Curacao, and Haiti are seen as the biggest underdogs.
The World Cup trophy on display in Dallas on June 1st. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
June 8, 2026 | 10:53 AM
2 minutes to read
World Cup odds: After years of counting down, the World Cup officially kicks off this week. A record number of teams (48) begin the journey through the 2026 North American-held tournament. Yet the question that will linger in fans’ minds is simple: Who’s the most likely winner?
With that in mind, here’s a look at the pre-tournament World Cup odds for possible champions, via DraftKings:
- Spain +450
- France +475
- England +700
- Portugal +850
- Brazil +900
- Argentina +900
- Germany +1400
- Netherlands +2000
- Norway +3000
- Colombia +4000
- Belgium +4000
- Morocco +5000
- Japan +5500
- United States +6000
The United States ranks far below expected powerhouses like France and Spain, but is also seen as a longer shot than teams like Japan and Morocco. Still, the U.S. has by far the lowest odds of any nation in its group (with Turkey coming closest at +9000).
On the other side, here are the teams that have the longest odds to win:
- Uzbekistan +150000
- Qatar +150000
- New Zealand +150000
- Iraq +150000
- Haiti +250000
- Curacao +250000
- Jordan +250000
Trivia: Arguably the biggest upset in World Cup Final history occurred in 1950 when hosts Brazil lost 2-1 to what nation?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: It was this country’s second World Cup title, having won the inaugural edition of the famous tournament.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Yankees 6-1 on Sunday, splitting the two-game weekend series with New York. Boston begins a three-game series against the Rays on the road tonight at 6:40 p.m.
On Thursday, the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with Mexico facing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at 3 p.m.
The United States plays its first game against Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium in California at 9 p.m.
And on Saturday, Haiti vs. Scotland will kick off at 9 p.m. in the first game played at “Boston Stadium” (Gillette Stadium).
More from Boston.com:
How to win the World Cup: Guardian author and soccer writer Jonathan Wilson broke down the factors that lead to a country actually winning the sport’s most prestigious title.
On this day: In 1966, the rival American Football League and National Football League agreed to a groundbreaking merger. Following years of back-and-forth bidding wars and off-field rivalry, the two competing leagues joined forces. Initially, it created problems for several teams (including the Patriots, at that point searching for a permanent home stadium).
But over the long term, the merger has been the foundation for the league’s incredible success (and the eventual creation of its signature event, the Super Bowl).
(Left to right): NFL president Tex Schramm, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle and AFL president Lamar Hunt as the merger is announced in June, 1966. – AP Wire
Daily highlight: Enjoy this highly improbable and outrageous double play turned by the Dodges’ Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets, in a game on Sunday.
What is happening in this double play??? 🤯@OKC_comets | @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/P24eCkJeOq
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 7, 2026
Trivia answer: Uruguay
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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