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“Bear Bets” are real bets that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is doing.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is only a few weeks away and I can’t wait to cover, watch and bet on this event.
There will be more in the coming weeks, but here are a few bets I’ve recently placed in my pocket.
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Belgian Jeremy Doku is currently +8000 to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Getty Images).
Jérémy Doku (+8000) winner of the Golden Shoe
Belgium (+200) reaches the quarter-finals
Doku was very dangerous at the end of the season with Manchester City, scoring four goals in his last seven games. Belgium is one of the big favorites to win its group with Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. That would create a path that should take it to the quarterfinals, as it would face a third-ranked team in the first knockout round and then either a third-ranked team or the winner of the group that includes the United States in the round of 16.
Doku probably won’t take a penalty, which hurts, but we’ve been waiting forever for Romelu Lukaku to make an impact in the World Cup or Euros. Perhaps this is Doku’s time to shine for his country.
Spaniard Lamine Yamal will make his FIFA World Cup debut this summer (Getty Images).
Spain (-145) reaches the quarter-finals
Spain suffers from a few injuries, but its first two group matches are against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Lamine Yamal is expected to be back for the final group stage match against Uruguay, which will determine the group winner. Spain’s path to the quarters will likely include Austria and Colombia. It’s not impossible that Colombia could be a tough opponent in the round of 16, but if Spain are the team we all think they are, failing to reach the quarter-finals would be a huge shock and disappointment.
Portugal (+125) reaches the quarter-finals
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks to cement his legendary career with his first World Cup victory (Getty Images).
Assuming Portugal wins the group – and there is Colombia – the path to the quarter-finals could be very easy. Winning Group K is potentially the biggest prize a team can win in the World Cup. That would mean a match against a third-ranked team and then against someone like Switzerland in the round of 16. I think we all fear a game in which the fantastic Portuguese midfielder controls the game, takes around 25 shots and is scoreless late in the game. But the price is good here.
Morocco (+325) winner of Group C
Morocco is looking to consolidate its historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where it finished fourth (Getty Images).
The opening group match against Brazil will potentially determine the winner of Group C. Beat Brazil, and that’s probably a formality. Draw, and the group chooses which of the two teams beats the most against Haiti and Scotland. I give Morocco a good chance here. The Brazil squad announced the other day appears to be lacking, particularly in midfield, and Neymar probably shouldn’t make the team. This is not a Brazilian team that we are historically accustomed to. Morocco will give them everything they can.
