Making predictions for the 2026 World Cup with Cryptocurrencies

France as the favorite, Spain close behind: Current odds

France stands out as the clear favorite on prediction markets with an 18% probability on Kalshi and 16.7% on Polymarket. Spain, the reigning European champion with 33 undefeated matches, follows closely at 16.6% on Kalshi and 15.4% on Polymarket. England completes the podium at 11.2% on both platforms. These three nations are attracting the bulk of institutional capital ahead of the kickoff on June 16.

The convergence between Kalshi and Polymarket on these probabilities validates the strength of the consensus. Price gaps of 5 to 8 cents between the two platforms for the same team are frequently observed, creating arbitrage opportunities for attentive traders. The most active market remains “Which continent will win the World Cup?” with a 71% chance attributed to Europe. These blockchain prediction markets price in injuries, lineups, and results in real time. Their 94% accuracy score over a month reflects a higher reliability than traditional statistical models.

Polymarket hosts 72 active markets for the World Cup, covering the tournament winner, group qualifications, match results, and individual performances. Kalshi covers the same main markets with a more accessible interface. This aggregated volume of $345 million makes this World Cup the most traded sporting event in the history of crypto prediction markets. The final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 is expected to be the peak of activity on the platform.

How do these prediction platforms work?

Polymarket and Kalshi are prediction markets based on the blockchain. You deposit stablecoins like USDC to buy shares on a sporting outcome. If your prediction is correct, each share is worth $1. If not, it is worth $0. Smart contracts automatically settle the winnings without any human intervention. The rules are hardcoded and cannot be altered along the way.

Buying a “France to win” share at $0.18 pays out $1 if Les Bleus lift the trophy, representing a net gain of +456%. Unlike traditional bookmakers, these platforms do not have an operator margin baked into the odds. Prices solely reflect the real supply and demand of the participants. You can also sell your position at any time during the tournament if the probabilities shift in your favor. This total flexibility is a major advantage over the fixed odds of bookmakers.

The difference between the two platforms is clear. Polymarket is crypto native: higher liquidity, lower fees, and 72 active markets. Kalshi is regulated by the CFTC and accessible directly via credit card without a crypto wallet. It is the ideal option for beginners who do not want to manage cryptocurrencies directly. In both cases, you can track the evolution of probabilities in real time throughout the tournament.

Tutorial: Making your first predictions on Polymarket

Here is how to make your first predictions on the 2026 World Cup in a few simple steps:

-> Step 1 — Create your account Go to polymarket.com and sign up with your email or a crypto wallet. Less than 2 minutes is all it takes.

-> Step 2 — Install MetaMask Download MetaMask on your browser. Create your wallet and write down your recovery phrase in a safe place. This is the key to accessing your funds.

-> Step 3 — Fund your account Deposit USDC via credit card, bank transfer, or from an exchange like Coinbase or Binance. USDC is a stablecoin that is always worth $1, making it ideal for starting out without exposure to volatility.

-> Step 4 — Find the World Cup markets In the search bar, type “FIFA World Cup“. You will access the 72 active markets: tournament winner, group qualifications, match results, and individual performances.

-> Step 5 — Take your position Click on the outcome you anticipate. France at $0.18 means an 18% chance of winning according to the crowd. If France wins the World Cup, you get back $1 per share purchased. You can sell at any time during the tournament if the probabilities shift.

Polymarket blocked, VPNs and responsible predictions

Polymarket has been geoblocked in few country since November 2024. The platform is considered an unlicensed gaming operator on French territory. Kalshi, on the other hand, is restricted to US residents.

It is worth noting that using a VPN is a common practice for millions of internet users worldwide, for various reasons ranging from privacy to accessing geo restricted content. Each user remains responsible for the applicable legal framework in their country.

Sources:

• KalshiFC on X
• Polymarket
• Kalshi

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