Spain favored over Argentina in World Cup final betting board

Spain has jumped to the front of the 2026 World Cup betting board after booking a final date with defending champion Argentina.

FanDuel odds cited by CBS Sports on July 16 listed Spain at -152 to lift the trophy, with Argentina next at +130. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium, also identified as MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The tournament began June 11 and runs through July 19, with matches staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 2026 edition expanded to 48 teams, creating a broader menu of betting markets than in previous World Cups, according to CBS Sports.

Spain and Argentina set the final

Spain reached the final by beating France 2-0 in Tuesday's semifinal, CBS Sports reported. Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the first half after Lamine Yamal won the foul, and Pedro Porro added Spain's second goal after halftime.

That win put Spain into a World Cup final for the first time since 2010 and for the second time in its history, according to the report. Spain also stretched its unbeaten run to 37 matches, tying Italy for the longest such streak in international soccer history.

Argentina got there with a late 2-1 semifinal win over England on Wednesday. CBS Sports reported that Enzo Fernandez tied the match in the 85th minute with a long-range goal, before Lautaro Martinez scored in stoppage time. Lionel Messi assisted both goals.

Argentina is trying to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups, according to CBS Sports. The final is listed for 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

Messi leads Golden Boot race

FanDuel odds cited by CBS Sports made Messi the Golden Boot favorite at -200 as of July 16. Kylian Mbappe was next at +150, followed by Harry Kane at +7000 and Jude Bellingham at +12500.

The Golden Boot goes to the tournament's top scorer. If players finish level on goals, assists are used as the first tiebreaker, followed by fewest minutes played, according to CBS Sports. Messi's two assists against England moved him ahead of Mbappe on that tiebreaker, the report said.

Messi is also described by CBS Sports as the heavy favorite for the Golden Ball, the award for the tournament's best overall player. He has already won the honor twice, including in 2022. Spain midfielder Rodri was listed as his closest challenger after Spain's semifinal win over France.

Goalkeeper and young player races

CBS Sports reported that Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon is the clear Golden Glove favorite after his sixth clean sheet of the tournament against France. The report said that is the most by any goalkeeper in a single World Cup.

Simon has conceded one goal in seven matches, according to CBS Sports. His 649-minute shutout streak ended in the quarterfinal against Belgium and was described in the report as the longest in World Cup history.

For the FIFA Young Player Award, CBS Sports pointed to Spain's 19-year-old Lamine Yamal as the likely winner after his role in the semifinal. The award has honored the tournament's top under-21 player since 2006.

What bettors can play

World Cup betting markets listed by CBS Sports include:

• Overall champion and group winners
• Team top scorers
• Tournament awards
• Win, lose or draw on individual matches
• Match and team goal totals
• Anytime, first and last goal-scorer bets
• Player shots, assists, tackles, fouls and discipline

CBS Sports noted that three-way money line bets apply to 90 minutes plus stoppage time. If a knockout match goes to extra time, the draw cashes in that market. Draw No Bet wagers return the stake if the match ends level.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.