Spain have won the 2026 World Cup, triumphing over Argentina with a 1-0 score in the final that took place at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Ferran Torres was the author of the sole goal in the 106th minute, bringing the Spanish second World Cup triumph.
Nevertheless, the result of the match was also highly interesting for the betting industry. Prior to the match, Argentina was favored by the majority of the public bets. According to BetMGM statistics, Argentina got 58% of all bets and 59% of the money placed on the main market, compared to 36% of bets and 38% of the money placed on Spain.
None of the teams managed to score in regular time, so ordinary 90-minute bets on Spain and Argentina to win were unprofitable, while bets on draw in regular time were successful. Then, Spain scored in extra time, which meant that all bets on Argentina to become World Cup champions lost.
Operators of big US-based bookmakers considered the result highly profitable for them. The SuperBook stated that this match outcome, players’ bets, and futures bets formed the almost perfect situation for the bookmaker. Similarly, Caesars preferred Spain to be the winner after extra time rather than during the first 90 minutes of play.
Nevertheless, there were big winning bets made on Spain. Thus, one bettor placed $100,000 on Spain to win the World Cup with odds +550 on 17 June, receiving $650,000 return, of which $550,000 was profit. Also, a $58,000 bet on Spain to win the championship returned $98,000 in total, including a $40,000 profit.
There were other unsuccessful bets of big size. For example, $100,000 bet on Spain to win against Argentina in regular time was unsuccessful due to the fact that goal happened in extra time. Besides, $75,000 bet on Argentina to become the champion and $50,000 bet on Lionel Messi to score in the final were losing.
The final also spurred tremendous action in prediction markets. The Spain vs Argentina contract on Kalshi was traded at over $1.27 billion before the start of the game. This is trading on prediction markets and not the total stake placed via traditional betting firms. A Polymarket trader wagered $1.55 million on the match not ending up in a 3-2 win for Argentina, earning a profit of $44,772 and total return of over $1.59 million. Another trader made $29,337 from a bet placed that Messi will score less than two goals in the match.
In New Zealand, the football and betting fans witnessed how predicting the tournament winners does not necessarily guarantee winning in all match bets. Spain emerged as winners of the competition, while those who bet on Spain lifting the trophy or winning after extra time received winning payouts. Fans of football and betting news can learn more at DashTickets Casino.
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