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“Bear bets” are real bets that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is really 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.
There will be more in the coming weeks, but here are some bets I recently put in my pocket.
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Belgium’s Jeremy Doku 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) will reach the quarterfinals
Doku has been very dangerous late in the season for Manchester City, scoring four goals in his last seven games. Belgium is a heavy favorite to win its group with Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. That would create a path that should have them in the quarterfinals, as they would face a third-place team in the first knockout round match and then either a third-place team or the winner of the group that includes 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 at the World Cup or the Euros 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) is approaching the quarterfinals
Spain has some injuries, but their first two group games are easy against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. He should have Lamine Yamal back for the final group stage match against Uruguay, which will determine the group winner. Spain’s path to the quarterfinals likely includes Austria and Colombia. It is not impossible that Colombia could be a difficult opponent in the round of 16, but if Spain is the team we all believe it to be, not reaching the quarterfinals would be a great surprise and disappointment.
Portugal (+125) is approaching the quarterfinals
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks to cement his legendary career with his first World Cup victory (Getty Images).
Assuming Portugal wins the group (and has Colombia in it), they could have a very easy path to the quarterfinals. Winning Group K is potentially the biggest prize a team could have in the World Cup. It would mean a match against a third-place team and then against someone like Switzerland in the round of 16. I think we all fear a game where Portugal’s fantastic midfield controls the game, takes like 25 shots and doesn’t score goals in the end. But the price is surely here.
Morocco (+325) wins Group C
Morocco is looking to build on its historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where it finished fourth (Getty Images).
The first group match against Brazil will potentially determine the winner of Group C. Defeating Brazil, and it is likely to be a formality. Draw and the group will decide which of the two teams defeats Haiti and Scotland the most. I give Morocco a good chance here. The Brazilian team 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 team that we are historically used to. Morocco will give them everything they can.
