The 2026 World Cup is almost here - 48 teams, three host nations, and a market that already reckons it knows the winner. In this launch episode of Odds-On, Adrian Dane (Best Betting Sites) goes hunting for the value before a ball is kicked: where the smart money's going in the outright market, what England and Scotland can realistically do, the players who'll decide it, and the dark horses paying genuine each-way value.

A UK punter's preview - value, prices and angles, not blind tips.

In this episode:

• How the new 48-team format changes the bets (and why there are fewer group-stage shocks)

• The outright market - Spain and France clear at the top, England third, and whether that price is fair

• England in Group L: Tuchel's shock squad, the Croatia opener, and where the value really is

• Scotland's first World Cup since 1998 - the Brazil / Morocco / Haiti draw and the McTominay factor

• Players to watch: Mbappé, Kane, Yamal (fitness permitting), Bellingham and Haaland

• Dark horses and rank outsiders - the 35/1–90/1 names worth a second look

• The best World Cup sign-up offers and where to find them

Chapters:

00:00 Cold open

01:32 Who I am + what the show is

03:00 The format shake-up

06:21 The outright market

10:47 England

15:38 Scotland

20:17 Players to watch

25:31 Dark horses

28:33 Offers + where to find them

31:05 Responsible gambling

32:14 Sign-off + what's next

Odds-On is the betting podcast from BestBettingSites.co.uk - football, racing and darts, every week. Adrian Dane is a Best Betting Sites content writer and founder of Whatchan (whatchan.co.uk); Roy Brindley joins on later episodes for the racing and darts.

All prices were correct at the time of recording and will move - always check the live price before betting. Odds-On is produced by Best Betting Sites and may earn a commission from bookmaker sign-ups via our links; that never changes our verdicts.

18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. When the fun stops, stop. Free, confidential help and tools at BeGambleAware.org or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Self-exclude via GamStop.

Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. More at BestBettingSites.co.uk.