New betting data has revealed an unexpected lack of confidence among English football fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with only one in five domestic bettors backing England to win the tournament.
According to figures released by Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, England ranks behind several rival nations when it comes to patriotic betting support, despite remaining among the bookmakers’ leading contenders for the trophy.
The findings highlight a significant gap between England’s status in the betting markets and the confidence levels of its own supporters.
England Trails European Rivals in Home Support
Entain’s Patriotic Punter Index shows that just 20% of bets placed by English customers back the Three Lions to become world champions.
Portugal recorded the highest level of domestic support, with 57% of local bettors backing their national team. France followed with 29%, while Austria and Germany registered 25% and 24% respectively. Brazil (21%) and Colombia (23%) also attracted stronger patriotic support than England.
The data suggests that while England remains one of the tournament favorites, many domestic bettors are reluctant to place their faith in the national team.
Scotland displayed even lower levels of confidence, with only 9% of Scottish bettors backing their team to win the competition despite qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998.
Global Markets Tell a Different Story
While England’s domestic support appears subdued, international betting activity paints a more positive picture.
Across Entain’s global markets, England ranks among the most popular selections to win the World Cup, sharing third place with Portugal in overall betting volume.
Spain leads the global betting rankings, attracting 17% of outright winner bets, followed by France at 15%. England and Portugal each account for 11% of global wagers, while Brazil captures 9%.
The figures suggest international bettors remain more optimistic about England’s prospects than the team’s own supporters.
Spain Emerges as Global Betting Favorite
Perhaps the most surprising trend is Spain’s position at the top of the global betting rankings despite relatively low domestic support.
Only 16% of Spanish bettors are backing La Roja to win the World Cup, placing the nation among the least patriotic betting markets surveyed. However, Spain remains the most popular selection among international bettors, indicating widespread confidence in the team’s chances across global markets.
The contrast highlights a recurring trend in major tournaments, where neutral bettors often assess teams differently from domestic supporters who may be influenced by historical disappointments and higher expectations.
Odds Continue to Favor England
Despite the cautious approach from English bettors, bookmakers continue to view England as one of the strongest contenders.
Current market odds place England at around 8/1 to win the tournament, shorter than Portugal (9/1) and Germany (15/1), while France remains one of the leading favorites at 11/2.
The discrepancy between betting odds and domestic wagering behavior suggests that England’s supporters remain unconvinced, even as traders continue to rate the squad among the world’s elite.
Confidence Gap Ahead of Kickoff
Commenting on the findings, Entain Group Trading Director Tom Ritzema noted that patriotic support and betting decisions do not always align.
The data illustrates how national loyalty can differ from wagering behavior, particularly when expectations are shaped by previous tournament performances.
As the World Cup approaches, England remains one of the market’s leading contenders. However, based on current betting patterns, many English fans appear to be placing their trust elsewhere, creating one of the tournament’s most intriguing confidence gaps between a nation’s supporters and the wider betting market.
