England Fans Show Less Betting Loyalty for World Cup Victory Compared to Rivals

England ranks low in patriotic backing among home fans, with only 20% of bets placed in the country supporting the Three Lions to win the FIFA World Cup. This figure contrasts sharply with Portugal, where more than half of domestic bets are placed on the national team.

Data from global betting company Entain, which covers Ladbrokes and Coral markets, shows that Portuguese bettors lead in loyalty, dedicating 57% of their wagers to their home side. France, Austria, and Germany follow, with 29%, 25%, and 24% of bets respectively placed on their national teams. Meanwhile, Scotland displays even less confidence, with just 9% of bets supporting their own team, which faces long odds to lift the trophy.

The analysis, which accounts for all bets made up to June 3, also highlights the overall popularity of teams beyond their home countries. Internationally, Spain is the most backed side worldwide, followed by France, with England and Portugal tied for third place. However, Spanish bettors show only 16% domestic loyalty, indicating a degree of detachment from home teams despite general optimism abroad.

Cross-border support remains limited, with only 8% of Scottish bettors wagering on England to win and a mere 1% of English punters backing Scotland. This suggests national rivalries have a strong influence on betting behavior.

Entain’s group trading director pointed out that betting patterns often diverge from straightforward national loyalty. England’s historical near misses in major tournaments might contribute to fans betting beyond national hope, while countries like Portugal maintain firm confidence in their team.