The article says World Cup 2026 has spawned a wave of unusual betting markets on the Polymarket platform, beyond the usual wagers on match winners and goal scorers. Published by Sport 5 on June 16, 2026 at 20:23, it highlights how fans are betting on quirky, almost absurd side questions tied to the tournament.
The most talked-about market concerns Cristiano Ronaldo, with Polymarket asking whether he will cry during the tournament. According to the platform, the current implied probability is 70% that it will happen.
Other novelty bets mentioned include who will go furthest in the tournament among Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, whether Ronaldo will shake hands with Messi, and even how many times a particular word will be said in a FOX broadcast during the England vs. Croatia match.
The article also notes a bet on whether Donald Trump will appear in the trophy-lift image. It frames these markets as part of the broader spectacle around a major World Cup, where fans can wager on far more than the scoreline.