The article says the 2026 World Cup is already generating unusual betting markets, beyond the usual wagers on winners and scorers. According to Sports5, the popular prediction platform Polymarket is offering fans a range of odd and playful bets tied to the tournament.
The most talked-about market centers on Cristiano Ronaldo, with bettors asking whether the global star will cry during the tournament. As of now, Polymarket puts the chance at 70%.
Other speculative questions include which of Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar will go furthest in the competition, and whether Ronaldo and Messi will shake hands. One market also asks how many times a certain word will be said during FOX’s broadcast of the England versus Croatia match.
The article also notes a bet on whether Donald Trump will appear in the image of the trophy-lifting celebration, underscoring how World Cup gambling has expanded into novelty questions as well as match results.