As the world begins to turn its
attention to Qatar for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South African bettors are
already placing bets on familiar favorites, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé,
ahead of the tournament proper. Of course, supporting the Proteas and backing
the team as potential winners will drive interest and betting activity during
the World Cup. But if there's one constant in South Africa's betting culture,
it's betting on goals and the players most likely to score them.
There's no denying that BTTS will go
through the roof during World Cup play. Marquee players, like Messi for
Argentina and Mbappé, generate a lot of buzz, and for good reason. They're two
of the best players in the world and have dominated headlines at World Cup
tournaments for the last decade. And in the era of international sportsbooks
and social media, South Africans have their hands full just keeping up with an
accurate bet slip with non-stop information.
South Africa Returns to the Biggest Sports
Stage
As World Cup 2026 betting
builds, Mbappé is currently the favorite to win the Golden Boot award after scoring
eight times at the last World Cup and 12 World Cup goals before the age of 28.
Messi, who recently won the competition in 2022, will look to add to his 13
career World Cup goals in what could be his final appearance at football's
biggest stage.
South African football fans have long
favored attacking teams. Betting on Both Teams To Score allows punters to
bypass picking a winner and simply requires both teams to score at least one
goal.
World Cups can create ideal conditions
for BTTS betting. Star attackers, high-stakes knockout games, and
nothing-to-play-for teams can often lead to sloggers. The Messi-led Argentina
team and Mbappé-inspired France combined for eight goals in the 2022 World Cup
final, which is why goals markets can be so compelling.
The MBAPPÉ Effect
Kylian Mbappé is a perennial favorite
in betting markets. France's forward has been installed as a favorite by
bookmakers to win both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. Mbappé has
scored 12 goals and added another 14 goals as a secondary contributor in just
his first two World Cup appearances. Now, at age 27, he's threatening to break
arguably the greatest goal-scoring record of all time, currently held by
Germany's Miroslav Klose.
For South African bettors looking for
value bets on players, Mbappé ticks all of the boxes. His speed makes him a
direct-goal threat every time he steps on the field, and he consistently finds
the back of the net.
The Last Dance for Messi
If Mbappé is the future, Messi has
been football's golden ticket for years. The Barcelona-turned-PSG superstar
will appear in his sixth World Cup with 13 goals and eight assists. Even if
this is his last run, Messi still has the unique ability to find ways to affect
the game outside of scoring for Argentina. His exceptional vision makes him a
threat to create scoring chances for teammates, and of course, he's won the
Golden Ball twice, which in itself is historic, since no other player has won
more than one Golden Ball award.
Bafana Bafana Set to Unveil New Heroes in
2026
Before South Africa kicks off their
opening game at the World Cup against Portugal on Sunday, former Bafana Bafana
stars and World Cup greats should not be forgotten. Few South African players
are as synonymous with the World Cup as Benni McCarthy. He scored goals in both
the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, making him the only South African to score at
multiple World Cups.
Shaun Bartlett currently holds the
record for most World Cup goals by a South African player with two. Steven
Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena, and Lucas Radebe also had World Cup moments that will
live long in South African memory.
Now it's Ronwen Williams' turn to lead
South Africa on the world stage. The Bafana Bafana captain has shouldered the
team on his back at AFCON and will look to do the same in what will be his
country's first World Cup in 16 years.
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