Beginner’s Guide to Betting on the 2026 World Cup Final (and Third-Place Game)

The Big Match Is Here!

The 2026 World Cup has been super exciting, and everything has led to this moment! Spain and Argentina are going to play each other on Sunday. The team that wins gets the big trophy and all the glory.

With at least 90 minutes of thrilling soccer left, there is still one more chance to make some wagers (that just means place bets) on the action.

Important Point: There are so many possible bets that it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry! Victoria Matiash and Liz Loza looked at the choices and picked their favorites for this Spain vs. Argentina battle.

Odds shown are from the time of publishing. For the newest odds, visit DK Sports.

Favorite Bets for the Final

Spain, Team Goals in First Half, OVER 0.5 (+110)

• Spain is really good at keeping the ball (this is called possession).
• They usually control the game early and score later when the other team gets tired.
• Out of Spain’s 17 total goals, only 4 were scored before halftime.
• But one of those early goals happened when they beat France recently.
• Against an Argentina defense that has some weak spots, Spain’s coach will likely attack right away and score early.
• Pick by Liz Loza

Argentina, Fouls Committed, 14 or More (+140)

• A foul is when a player breaks a rule by tripping or pushing someone.
• Argentina has been the most disruptive team, with 87 fouls in 7 games (2nd most overall).
• In the knockout stage (the do-or-die part), they committed 14+ fouls in 3 of their last 4 games.
• Spain controls the game speed and stops attacks, which may force Argentina to foul a lot to stop them.
• Pick by Liz Loza

Lionel Messi, Assist (+320)

• An assist is when a player passes the ball so a teammate can score.
• Messi made an amazing cross to Lautaro Martínez to beat England in the semifinal.
• Messi is 39 and might want the Golden Boot (top scorer award), but he wants the World Cup more.
• That means he may do anything to help teammates like Martínez, Fernández, Romero, or Mac Allister score.
• Only Michael Olise of France has more assists (5) than Messi (4) this tournament.
• Pick by Victoria Matiash

Correct Score After 90 Minutes: Spain 2-1 (+800)

• Spain’s midfielder Rodri helps them play tight defense; they allowed only 1 goal all tournament.
• Argentina never gives up and scored late to beat Egypt and England.
• Argentina scored the most goals (19) and scored multiple goals every match.
• So Spain probably won’t keep a clean sheet (no goals allowed), but should win 2-1.
• Another bet: Both teams score / over 2.5 goals is at +145.
• Pick by Victoria Matiash

Bonus Bet: Third-Place Game

Total Team Shots, England, 13 or More (+145)

• You can also bet on the third-place game (pride only, not the trophy).
• Lineups might be weird because there’s less on the line.
• England had 13+ shots in 5 of 7 games.
• Their low shot game (5 vs Argentina) didn’t work.
• Coach Tuchel will likely attack more against France.
• Pick by Liz Loza

Summary

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is your last chance to bet on the tournament. Our experts like:

• Spain to score early (Over 0.5 first-half goals)
• Argentina to commit 14+ fouls
• Messi to get an assist
• Final score Spain 2-1
• Bonus: England to take 13+ shots in the third-place game

Always check the latest odds before betting!

FAQ

What does “+110” or “+800” mean?
Those are the odds. A plus number shows how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. Bigger numbers mean bigger payouts but less likely to happen.

What is a foul in soccer?
It’s when a player breaks a rule, like tripping or pushing an opponent. Teams can be bet on by how many they commit.

What is an assist?
It’s a pass or play that directly helps a teammate score a goal.

Can I bet on games that aren’t the final?
Yes! You can bet on the third-place game too, like England’s shots on goal.