World Cup Odds and Action Report

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

World Cup odds are down to the final two teams, with the championship match set for Sunday morning. Defending champion France and Argentina will beat the NFL out of the gate as both battle to lift the chalice.

So we get rising superstar Kylian Mbappe against the legendary veteran Lionel Messi.

BetMGM sports trader Seamus Magee provides insights on where things stand in the World Cup futures odds market

2022 World Cup Odds

A Coin Toss

Over the course of this monthlong tournament, BetMGM had a host of teams it preferred as victors in its odds to win the World Cup. Spain and Germany were certainly good for the book, and were among the favorites in this 32-team tournament.

Big upstarts Morocco and Croatia would've been great outcomes behind the counter, as neither got much attention when they were longer shots. However, both saw their tremendous runs end in the semifinals. Argentina drilled Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday, and France shut out Morocco 2-0 Wednesday.

With it now down to France and Argentina, the book still has a preferred position, even if these aren't the preferred finalists.

"We'll be rooting for France at the moment, barring any big bets from big players with us," Magee said. "Obviously, Morocco would've had a bunch of storylines for a great final. But with Argentina playing France, we have Messi vs. Mbappe, two massive household names that should captivate even the most casual soccer bettor."

This is the point where the World Cup futures odds market evolves simply to the moneyline on this match, which kicks off at 7 a.m. Sunday. And BetMGM has France vs. Argentina as practically a pick 'em in the three-way betting of 90 minutes plus injury time. France is +170, Argentina is +175, and Draw is +200.

In the to-lift-the-trophy market – the match winner, be it in 90 minutes plus injury time, overtime, or on penalty kicks – France is -120 and Argentina -110.

Updated on 12/22/2024

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Heavy Handle Expected

As Magee noted, the huge names of Messi and Mbappe have the potential to generate huge handle in the championship match. And Argentina and France both took plenty of tickets and money through the months and months that World Cup championship odds have been on the board.

"I'm really excited for the final, looking forward to the action we'll be seeing. Heading into an NFL Sunday, I'm hoping we see really good handle on the final," Magee said.

Argentina opened as the +1000 sixth choice at BetMGM and shortened to +550 by the time the tourney began. The Argentines overcame a stunning 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in the Group Stage opener, beating Mexico and Poland by identical 2-0 scores to advance to the Knockout Stage. They've been up to every challenge since that upset.

No team has taken more tickets than Lionel Messi and Co. And only Brazil saw more money, but Croatia eliminated the Brazilian side on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, France opened as the +550 co-favorite with Brazil, but slid back slightly to +750 as the tournament began. The French side's odds have been shortening ever since, to now being a very slim favorite to lift the trophy. France is No. 2 in World Cup odds ticket count and No. 3 in money.

"These are definitely two of the best sides in the tournament," Magee said, while taking off his risk-management hat for a moment. "Personally, I'm very happy we're getting Argentina-France in the final. As a soccer fan, this is the final you want right here. So many storylines, so much legacy to be decided."

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson