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“Bear Bets” are real stakes Chris “The Bear” Fallica actually doing.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just a few weeks away and I can’t wait to cover, watch and bet on this event.
More to come in the coming weeks, but here are a few bets I’ve pocketed recently.
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Jeremy Doku of Belgium is currently +8000 to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Getty Images).
Jérémy Doku (+8000) wins the Golden Boot
Belgium (+200) to reach the quarter-finals
Doku has been very dangerous at the end of the season with Manchester City, scoring four goals in his last seven games. Belgium are heavy favorites to win their group with Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. That would create a path that should have it in the quarterfinals, as it would face a third-place team in the first knockout round and then either a third-place team or the winner of the group, which has the United States in the round of 16.
Doku probably won’t take penalties, which hurts, but we’ve been waiting for Romelu Lukaku to make an impact in the WC or EC forever. Perhaps this is Doku’s time to shine for his country.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal will make his FIFA World Cup debut this summer (Getty Images).
Spain (-145) to reach the quarter-finals
Spain have some injuries, but the first two group games are walkovers against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. That should have Lamine Yamal back for the final group stage match against Uruguay, which will decide the group winner. Spain’s route to the neighborhood is likely to include Austria and Colombia. It is not impossible. Colombia could be a difficult last-16 opponent, but if Spain are the side we all think they are, it would be a huge shock and disappointment not to reach the quarter-finals.
Portugal (+125) to reach the quarter-finals
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks to cement his legendary career with his first World Cup win (Getty Images).
Provided Portugal wins the group – and Colombia has it in it – it could have a super easy path to the quarter-finals. Winning Group K is potentially the biggest prize a team could have at the World Cup. That would mean a match against a team in third place and then someone like Switzerland in the round of 16. I think we all fear a game where the fantastic Portuguese midfield controls the game, has 25 shots and is goalless late on. But the price is definitely right here.
Morocco (+325) wins Group C
Morocco look to build on their historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they finished fourth (Getty Images).
The group opener against Brazil will potentially decide the winner of Group C. Beat Brazil and it’s a likely formality. A draw and the group becomes which of the two sides beats Haiti and Scotland more. I’m giving Morocco a good shot here. The Brazil squad that was announced the other day seems to be lacking, especially in midfield, and Neymar probably shouldn’t be in the team. It is not a Brazilian side that we are historically used to. Morocco will give them everything they can handle.
