France and Argentina, both unbeaten after three group‑stage victories, now sit atop the World Cup futures board as the knockout round begins. Draft Kings lists France at +350, edging out defending champion Argentina at +430. Spain and England share the next tier at +700, while Brazil has slipped to 12‑1 after a slow start. These odds reflect early tournament trends.

U.S. momentum has turned sportsbooks into liability hotspots. Caesars notes the United States dropped from 60‑1 to 30‑1 after winning Group D, becoming its most‑backed selection. Every American victory – notably against Paraguay and Australia – sparked record‑high wagers, forcing books to absorb heavy losses, though a 0‑0 draw with Türkiye gave Bet MGM a brief profit. Betting volume surged across all platforms.

Star performances have amplified betting exposure. Messi and Mbappé command the Golden Boot market at -110 and +275, while Haaland also draws action, creating layered liabilities for sportsbooks. Draft Kings reports that days when France, Argentina or the Netherlands score multiple goals and the trio each net two result in the deepest losses. Fans are wagering millions on each match. The tournament’s betting handle now rivals March Madness in scale.