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It's never too early to start thinking about betting on the 2010 World Cup, especially when we are in the midst of the FIFA Confederations Cup Finals. The idea that Team USA could actually go on to win the 2010 World Cup is no longer some ridiculous fantasy now that they have made the Confederations Final, playing none other than heavily favored Brazil.
Sportsbook.com on Sunday was offering USA as a +10000 long shot to win the 2010 World Cup. Should it happen, the payout would be an extraordinary $10000 for every $100 bet.
"We suspect there will be a number of people placing their World Cup bets early on USA," says Payton O'Brien of Gambling911.com. "Everyone is having soccer favor right now. These odds are bound to be shortened over the next few months as it becomes more clear the U.S. team is for real so people want to lock in the +10000 odds now."
The U.S. team ended Spain's 35-match unbeaten run and 15-match winning sequence with a stunning 2-0 victory in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
The Americans have never won a FIFA tournament, and a victory over the five-time World Cup champions, Brazil, would signal they are closer than ever to the likes of Spain, England, Argentina, Italy and Germany.
Regardless, the very fact that they have gotten this far suggests they are ready to make a statement at next year's World Cup.
Having reached the final of the Confederations Cup on Sunday against Brazil, the upstart United States is the hot topic of international soccer, Jere Longman of the New York Times writes. But the players and team officials have been realistic about their standing in world opinion.
"I think it's going to help our reputation, definitely," forward Jozy Altidore told the Times. "At the same time, I feel like there is a lot of work to be done. Let's be honest. Certain fans will say we're lucky to beat Spain one of 10 times. If you go around asking who will win Sunday, they will say Brazil. But on any given day, no matter who is playing, the 11 who bring it deserve to win. History doesn't win games. If we get a result, they will say we're lucky. I just care about winning."
For the record, Brazil would pay early odds of $450 for every $100 bet to win the 2010 World Cup.
"There is certainly some terrific value there," says O'Brien. "But those odds are also bound to be cut, probably in half as we get closer to next summer's World Cup in South Africa. Savvy sports bettors know to lock these odds in now."
Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
