Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina brought the curtain down on a difficult World Cup for British bookmakers.
The frankly dreadful match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes to provide some valuable late relief for operators. Argentina failed to register a single shot until extra time.
Despite being billed as the biggest betting event ever, the 2026 edition had threatened to become a major losing event for gambling firms as top teams and star players repeatedly hit the heights expected of them.
Eventual winners Spain were among the best-supported teams in the outright market, while Kylian Mbappé’s Golden Boot success landed another popular selection for punters and another serious blow for bookies.
England and France, meanwhile, remained major liabilities deep into the knockout stages, before both defeated semi-finalists played out a thrilling 10-goal bronze match.
Odds comparison site Oddschecker described this summer’s competition as “a bit of a bloodbath” for operators.
Eleven of the 12 pre-tournament favourites won their groups, with Portugal the only exception, while the usual Golden Boot suspects scored shed loads from first kick-off.
Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi and Mikel Oyarzabal combined for 20 group-stage goals between them. This compared with just three goals from the four leading scorers at the Euro 2024 group stage, for example.
Spain were the fourth most popular outright selection on Oddschecker, accounting for 10% of betslips created, behind England, France and Portugal.
Real Madrid striker Mbappé was the most popular Golden Boot pick, featuring on 7% of all betslips in the market.
Final delivers late relief
While Spain’s overall victory was costly for some bookmakers, the 0-0 scoreline at the end of normal time was highly favourable.
That result defeated first-goalscorer bets, correct-score selections and a wide range of match and Bet Builder combos before Spain’s Ferran Torres netted the winner in extra time.
Betfred’s Mark Pearson said: “Although Spain went off tournament favourites it ended up a good result for us after the weight of cash on France and going top price with England.
“All bookies love nil-nils, and that was the perfect result in the final in 90 mins.”
Pearson said France’s 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain and England’s goalless group-stage draw with Ghana were Betfred’s best results of the tournament, while England’s opening victory over Croatia and memorable 3-2 win over Mexico were among its worst.
“The Golden Boot was a write off for us early doors with so many top players all scoring plenty,” Pearson said.
“Our Double Delight Hat Trick Heaven promotion, where punters could get double or triple their odds when their first goalscorer bet gets a second or third, was a real cost to the business.”
He added that Betfred’s new Bet Builder product performed strongly, however, recording a significant increase in turnover.
“Overall it was an okay tournament for the bookies,” Pearson said. “Although we saved a few quid, it would have been good to have paid out on England.”
Ladbrokes forks out on Spain and Mbappé
Ladbrokes admitted Spain’s World Cup win and Mbappé’s Golden Boot had both generated substantial payouts.
PR manager Alex Apati said: “Spain to win the World Cup and Mbappé to win Golden Boot were both very well backed ahead of, and during, the tournament, so Ladbrokes has been paying out hundreds of thousands of winning customers both online and in shops.
“That blow is somewhat softened however by the incredibly bookie-friendly World Cup final result, as it doesn’t get much better for bookmakers than a 0-0 scoreline at the end of normal time.”
Ladbrokes pointed out that many football markets are settled on the result after 90 minutes, rather than after extra time.
Spain suits William Hill’s outright book
Elsewhere, 888-owned William Hill described Spain as one of its preferred outright results.
England and France were the two teams the bookmaker most wanted to avoid, meaning their semi-final exits removed some of its largest liabilities before yesterday’s showpiece.
Hills spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Spain was also a good result for the outright book. France and England were the two teams we most wanted to avoid winning the tournament, so that was a positive outcome.”
Golden Ball (Player of the Tournament) winner Rodri also proved favourable for William Hill.
The Spain and Manchester City midfielder opened at 33/1 before the tournament, with the bookmaker reporting only one notable bet of £50 at odds 28/1.
“Golden Ball winner Rodri was another excellent result for us,” Phelps said. “He opened at 33/1, with the only significant bet being £50 at 28/1, so we didn’t mind that choice.”
Spain’s victory also triggered a payout in William Hill’s Final One Standing free-to-play game. A total of 55 players completed all 12 rounds and shared the £250,000 jackpot, receiving just over £4,500 each.