As soccer fans around the world focus on the Copa América and Euro finals this weekend on FOX and the FOX Sports app, American bettors and fans already have their sights set on the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in North America.
Unfortunately, the USMNT’s poor showing this summer has left fans wondering if the next big tournament will yield a more favorable outcome.
Since the Group Stage was introduced in 1975, the United States is the first host nation to fail to reach the Copa América knockout stage.
As a result of the team’s disappointing showing in Copa América this summer, Gregg Berhalter is now out as the USMNT head coach.
Additionally, the team’s current odds to win the World Cup moved to +3000 from +2500 after getting ousted at Copa and following Berhalter’s dismissal.
In the wake of his firing, U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker put emphasis on targeting a ‘serial winning coach‘ to replace Berhalter.
“Winning is the yardstick, and we didn’t do that,” Crocker said.
“We are looking for a serial winning coach and a coach that can also build on the work that has already been put in place. Clearly, there’s still a lot of potential in the group and we have to turn out the performance and results, so that’s what I’ll be looking for and that’ll be my absolute No. 1 priority.
Can the USMNT successfully regroup over the next two years? Or will Team USA fail to make it out of Group Stage in successive international tournaments on home soil?
The World Cup final will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
Let’s dive into the odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
2026 WORLD CUP ODDS: *
France: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Brazil: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
England: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Argentina: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Spain: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Germany: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Portugal:+1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Netherlands: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Italy: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Uruguay: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Colombia: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
United States: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Belgium: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Croatia: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Denmark: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Mexico: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
* odds as of 7/11/24
In February, FIFA released the dates and locations for the 104-match tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The US Men’s National Team has group stage matches:
– June 12, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
– June 19, Lumen Field, Seattle
– June 25, SoFi Stadium
The semifinals will be at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 14 and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15.
Defending champion Argentina is tied for fourth on the oddsboard at +900.
Star Lionel Messi, after moving to MLS to play for Inter Miami, has not committed to playing in 2026.
La Albiceleste will return young talent such as Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, so with or without the great Messi, Argentina will still be a force to be reckoned with.
Brazil is another strong favorite to take home the Cup, as they are tied at the top of the oddsboard at +600 to win it all. After being derailed by injuries in 2014, 2018 and 2022, Neymar will be focused on his own Messi-like mid-30s redemption story. Or will he? Neymar himself said his national team future is cloudy. Either way, The Seleção will be loaded, but they need their younger talent to step up to get back on the podium.
France also sits at +600. Les Bleus were one of the youngest teams at the 2022 tournament and boast the best young star in the game in Kylian Mbappe. When you factor in that they had numerous key players out for injury in 2022, it’s no surprise that they are now near the top of the board.
The USMNT at +3000 has long odds but a few things working in their favor. Wales and England were played to draws this year, and the Americans will have home-field advantage for the first time since 1994.
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