By GREG DUDEK, Boston Herald
The odds of winning this year’s World Cup are greater than they’ve ever been. That’s due to the tournament being the largest ever assembled with the field expanding from 32 teams to 48.
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The additional teams could create even more uncertainty and chaos, especially when the knockout rounds arrive and penalty-kick shootouts can help keep a Cinderella run going.
But for many, the biggest question entering the tournament, which kicks off next Thursday, is who will be the last team standing on July 19?
Oddsmakers expect the usual cast of characters to be squarely in the mix for the World Cup trophy. France, led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, is looking to make a third straight final and avenge last year’s title loss in penalties to reigning champion Argentina. England probably feels like this is its time to finally break through as The Three Lions haven’t won a World Cup since 1966. And Germany can’t be forgotten about, either, as it was just in 2014 that it lifted up the World Cup trophy.
Here are the teams with the the best odds to win the World Cup, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
1. France (+475)2. Spain (+475)3. England (+700)4. Brazil (+850)5. Argentina (+900)6. Portugal (+1000)7. Germany (+1400)8. Netherlands (+2200)9. Belgium (+3500)10. Norway (+3500)
Morocco, which made a surprising run to the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup behind its stellar defense, fell just outside the top 10 at No. 12 with +5000 odds. What about the United States? Mauricio Pochettino’s group falls in with the 14th-best odds to win the tournament at +6000, which would be an incredible feat given the Americans haven’t made it to the semifinals since the event’s inception in 1930.
Spain feels like a team many could see celebrating at MetLife Stadium in mid-July. La Roja feature a star-studded group that is young, highlighted by 18-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. Yamal injured his hamstring in April, but all signs point to him being able to play in the World Cup. Along with Yamal, 23-year-old Pedri and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri give Spain plenty of firepower. Spain has depth behind those stars, too, evidenced in its 31-game unbeaten streak heading into the World Cup.
Even with the great Lionel Messi, it’s going to be a massive challenge for Argentina to repeat as champs. No team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil did so in 1962. So forgoing betting on Argentina might be the smart play.
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Speaking of Brazil, the Seleção are hoping being back on U.S. soil brings them good fortune again. Brazil won the 1994 World Cup, which was the last time the prestigious event was held in the U.S. Brazil, which has won more World Cups than any other country with five and is known for being a soccer-crazed nation, won it all again in 2002, but has now gone 24 years without a World Cup title. The Seleção have one of the best players in the world in Vini Jr., and maybe Neymar gets a chance to ride off into the sunset on top in perhaps his last World Cup.
Bettors could like the the payoff of picking Netherlands to win it all. Netherlands is always tactically sound and with Virgil van Dijk anchoring the defense, the Dutchmen have a chance to reach the final like they did in 2010. A squad like Norway can’t be dismissed since it possess one of the top players in the tournament in Erling Haaland.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is still a big-name with Portugal, but he’s more of a sidekick now, if that. And that’s fine with Portugal, which has plenty of other talent in Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes to win a World Cup.
The good news for fans who have tickets to one of the seven games at Gillette Stadium — aka Boston Stadium for this tournament — is that some of the top-tier teams will make their way through Foxboro.
France, which is setting up its home base at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, plays against Norway at the venue on June 26. That will be the second game Norway plays at the home of the Patriots and Revolution as it takes on Iraq there on June 16.
England, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, will take over Foxboro on June 23 when it faces Ghana in Group L play. Germany could also make the trip north for the Round of 32 game at Gillette if it can first win Group E.
And with these soccer elites coming through Massachusetts in the near future, it gives local fans not only a chance to see them in person, but make a buck or two in the process as well.
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