Odds on World Cup in South Africa

There is still a bit of time to go, but the world is getting ready. On June 11th, the World Cup will begin. Television sets across the globe will fixate on just one thought. Who will win?

Bookmakers are already paying attention. Like everyone else they are trying to figure out exactly who will be the best in the world for the next 4 years. It just doesn't get bigger in sports.

Now while my personal favorites are Argentina, Brazil, and Germany the odds are not in my favor. For my fellow Americans that prefer Team USA things look even worse (though we should get through the first round, barely). Even England is looking a bit less like a contender than usual according to the odds.

SPAIN
+400
BRAZIL
+425
ENGLAND
+500
ARGENTINA
+850
GERMANY
+1100
NETHERLANDS
+1200
ITALY
+1000
FRANCE
+1250
PORTUGAL
+1550
IVORY COAST
+2000
CHILE
+3500
GHANA
+5000
SERBIA
+5000
PARAGUAY
+4500
USA
+6000
CAMEROON
+6500
DENMARK
+9000
MEXICO
+7000
SOUTH AFRICA
+9500
URUGUAY
+8000
NIGERIA
+8500
AUSTRALIA
+9000
GREECE
+9500
SWITZERLAND
+10000
SLOVENIA
+12500
JAPAN
+15000
SLOVAKIA
+15000
SOUTH KOREA
+20000
ALGERIA
+20000
HONDURAS
+22500
NORTH KOREA
+25000
NEW ZEALAND
+50000

[The +/- Indicates the Return on the Wager. The percentage is the likelihood that response will occur. For Example: Betting on the candidate least likely to win would earn the most amount of money, should that happen.]

It is nice to see America in the middle of the pack though. I wouldn't take the bet with an expectation to win, but $10 could turn into a tidy sum if the U.S.A. could win. Then again I think Europe would implode and South America would riot if we did. Which would be almost as much fun to see because of that kind of win.

I still say it's Argentina or Germany to win. Brazil can never be discounted though. Spain on the other hand is overrated in my opinion. But how do you feel? Which team is your favorite?

** I want to thank Bookmaker.com for providing me with the odds for all the teams in the World Cup.