World Cup Betting Tips: Patrice Evra's Insights & Predictions

By Phil Lowe

10 Dec 2025

Phil Lowe 10 Dec 2025

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Stake.com brand ambassador Patrice Evra has reacted to this week's World Cup draw
France and Manchester United legend looking forward to potential Ronaldo vs Messi clash
Live odds now available in the sportsbook

Brand ambassador Patrice Evra has been giving his exclusive betting insights and thoughts to the Stake.com blog with an early look ahead to the 2026 World Cup.

The former France international was reacting to this week's World Cup draw, and admits the country he has represented in multiple World Cups have a tough test ahead of the next summer.

"France will be up there, but it was a really tough draw for them because they're going to be playing Senegal, where I'm born and where my dad comes from," he told the Stake blog.

"I remember in 2002 when Senegal beat France - it was a mixed emotion. That's why for me, this game will be really tough because it's between choosing my dad and choosing my mum. France has a great chance because the squad is strong, it’s full of young talent, but it's difficult to predict who's going to win the World Cup."

The former Manchester United star believes holders Argentina, along with Portugal and Brazil, will be contenders, along with England.

Of England's chances he said: "It’s always the same with England. Before the tournament starts, you're going to say England are the favourites because they’ve got some of the best young players and they are on fire.

My only worry with England is I feel like they’ve got the players, but they don't have the team yet. We had the same issue with France before Didier Deschamps came in. Under Deschamps, the team is the star, not one player.

"With England, it's not the same generation when there was Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand and you had the club rivalries. England have got rid of that. Now you can see they play more as a team. But it's a shame they haven’t won yet, they go into tournaments with a lot of hope

"I do see them as a strong contender next summer. They have some of the best players, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. When you see those names it’s almost like they have to win something, but the World Cup is different."

Live World Cup betting odds are available on Stake right now. New players can start with $3000 bonus by using the Stake.com code for 2026, MAXBET, when registering.

Live in-play betting will be available on every game during the tournament in north America.

The knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup could see Portugal and Argentina could face each other - with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi facing off for possibly the final time.

"I think they will make it happen," Evra said of the possibility of that happening.

"It will be amazing for the two goats of football to face each other again. I would love to see that.

"Everyone has a preference. I pick Ronaldo over Messi. Not because Ronaldo is one of my brothers and I played with him for many years. It's because I'm in love with his work ethic. Messi is talented and gifted, as is Cristiano, but the way Cristiano is still playing, that's why I pick him over Messi.

"I respect Messi. People think when you say you like Cristiano more, it means you don’t like Messi. If you don't like Messi, then you don’t have anything to do with football. Messi has already won the World Cup with Argentina, so I hope Cristiano wins it next summer."

Spain are currently 5.5 favourites to win the World Cup on Stake, ahead of England (6.5), Argentina, Brazil and France (all 9.0).

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