2026 FIFA World Cup: Two Outside Bets That Could Cash Big

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than four months away, and anticipation is already reaching a fever pitch ahead of this summer’s showdown. The action gets underway on June 11th in Mexico City, and between then and July 19th, an increased number of 48 nations will all be doing their utmost to leave MetLife Stadium with the famous gold trophy. Naturally, however, some contenders are considered more likely than others.

Reigning European champions Spain are the team that online betting sites have earmarked as the one to beat. Luis de la Fuente’s men swept all before them in romping to Euro 2024 glory in Germany two years ago, and now the popular Lucky Rebel Sportsbook earmarks them as the 9/2 favorite to repeat those heroics on the global stage. They are closely followed in the betting charts by England, France, and reigning champions Argentina.

But when it comes to World Cup betting, it’s not the favorites that people tend to be interested in. Instead, it’s the longshots that the dreamers look toward in the hopes of staying entertained throughout the tournament and perhaps even bagging themselves a windfall in the end. Luckily, we have two such tips that could cash big in North America this summer. Let’s take a look at them.

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Mikel Oyarzabal – Top Goalscorer: 33/1 

Spain are the favorites to win the World Cup, and manager de la Fuente has a squad bursting at the seams with talent. Wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams bring the attacking threat, while a midfield consisting of Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Fabian Ruiz will create opportunities aplenty. However, if there is one somewhat weak spot in the squad, it’s up front.

In Germany two years ago, Alvaro Morata was the man who not only led the line but also captained Spain to glory. He is no longer in the national team picture, and no elite striker has managed to take his place. The days of Fernando Torres and David Villa are at this point long gone, and La Roja will have to make do with a makeshift striker in attack this summer.

The man that de la Fuente has consistently turned to in Morata’s absence is Real Sociedad winger-turned-striker Mikel Oyarzabal. The 28-year-old scored the late winner in that Euro 2024 final, sliding home from Williams’ cross to seal a record-breaking fourth European Championship for Spain. He has a stellar scoring record for his country, netting 22 times in 51 games, with six of those goals coming in World Cup qualifying.

Oyarzabal will almost certainly start up front in North America, with Yamal on one side and Williams on the other. He will be provided with a whole host of goalscoring opportunities to feast on, and if he can take them, he will certainly be in the conversation to finish the tournament as top scorer. 33/1 odds seem incredibly valuable.

Egypt to Top Group G: 9/2 

The upcoming World Cup will be the last for several global icons. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be stepping onto the storied stage for the final time, as will veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. Another who will likely be saying his farewell this summer is Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool superstar will be 34 years of age by the time the tournament draws to a close, and it’s highly unlikely he will be in action in four years’ time.

Salah has been unable to lead Egypt to glory, despite receiving a plethora of honors both personally and at the club level. What better way to put that right than by delivering the goods on the grandest stage of them all?

At the recent African Cup of Nations, Salah and the Pharaohs looked in decent form. They topped Group B unbeaten, with Salah scoring twice. They would then march their way to the semifinals, with the former Roma man scoring twice more, before ultimately coming undone at the hands of eventual champions Senegal. Now, all eyes turn toward the World Cup, and there are plenty of reasons for the Egyptians to be optimistic.

They have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, with the former of that trio without question being the biggest name. The Red Devils are capable of the spectacular, but we saw them implode in Qatar four years ago, suffering a shocking group stage exit after losing to Morocco and drawing with Croatia. Now, it is Egypt who is hunting them down, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pharaohs get the job done.

When looking at the recent form of both sides, 9/2 odds on Egypt topping the group seem generous. Iran and New Zealand aren’t expected to put up much of a fight either. If Salah and Co. can beat them and avoid defeat against Belgium, then top spot in Group G should be theirs.