A Complete Guide for Betting on the 2026 World Cup

The USA, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup, which will feature a 48-team format for the first time. Soccer’s most significant event is projected to attract a record-setting number of wagers as fans worldwide watch.

We've covered you if you want an edge for the upcoming World Cup betting season. Below, we will share everything you need to win big in 2026.

After years of debate, FIFA expanded the 2026 World Cup field to 48. Many FIFA officials have championed expanding the tournament, but others have claimed financial and political motives are driving the effort and tainting the world-class event.

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout round. The top eight third-place teams would also advance, bringing the total to 32. 

The tournament’s group stage will begin on June 11 and finish on June 27. Here is a timeline for when each round will take place:

• First Matches: June 11-17
• Second Matches: June 18-23
• Third Matches: June 24-27

All teams will have a day or two of rest before the knockout round begins on June 29. Each round will be separated by 4-5 days. The third-place game will take place on July 18, with the championship the next day.

Here is a timeline for the tournament stage:

• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarterfinals: July 9-11
• Semifinals: July 14-15
• Third Place Round: July 18
• Championship Round: July 19

The matches will be played in 16 cities across three countries: New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto, and Vancouver. The championship round will take place in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

This new format means that 104 matches will be played, compared to the 64 played in the 2022 World Cup. The champion will need to win eight games, one more than in the last few tournaments.

Before you start your 2026 World Cup betting, it's crucial to understand how to read odds and what markets are available. Below, we’ll cover both topics to ensure you have everything you need for a successful betting season.

How to Read World Cup Odds

Let’s start by reviewing how to read odds for World Cup matches. Odds with a plus sign mean that it is the amount you will win when betting $100. If there is a minus sign, it means the amount you need to wager to win $100. The plus sign usually indicates a longshot or underdog, while a minus sign means you are generally betting on a favorite.

For example, if you bet $100 on the US to win their opening match at +110 and they do, you will win $110. If you were to bet on France to win their opening match at -150, you’d need to wager $150 to win $100.

World Cup Betting Markets

You will have several betting markets when wagering on the 2026 World Cup. Below are some of the most popular ones you’ll see.

Outright Winner

This wager requires bettors to pick which team they believe will be crowned World Cup Champions. France, Spain, England, and Brazil are the four betting favorites to win the 2026 title.

Group Winners

Bettors can bet on the winner of each of the 12 groups. Each group has four teams, so the odds will be less favorable than betting on the tournament winner.

Top Goal Scorer

Bettors can wager on which player they believe will lead the tournament in scoring. The odds for this category aren’t out yet, but Kylian Mbappé will likely be the favorite after scoring eight goals in the 2022 World Cup. 

Match Result

This betting market focuses on individual matches, where bettors predict the final result. They can choose from the home team winning, the away team winning, or a tie.

Over/Under Goals

This bet is as simple as it sounds, with bettors wagering if the final foal total will be higher or lower than the amount set by the sportsbook.

Asian Handicap

This form of spread betting is where betting sites set a handicap for the two teams involved.

Player and Team Props

These bets focus on specific events or stats within a game. They can range anywhere from first goalscorer to the number of free kicks in a match. These bets are generally not affected by the match's outcome.

Live Betting

These are wagers placed after a match has started, with the odds updating as it is played. Almost all of the above markets are available for live betting.

The tournament is still a ways off, but that hasn’t stopped World Cup betting sites from offering odds on who will win. Let’s review some favorites and top longshots to become the 2026 World Cup Champions.

Betting Favorites

• France

France enters as the most recent European team to win a World Cup title, and many experts and fans expect them to capture another one in 2026. That is primarily thanks to their depth, which a massive talent pool in Paris has fueled. With Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé.

• Spain

Spain enters the 2026 tournament as a favorite thanks to winning the 2024 UEFA European Championship title. While they looked impressive, many bettors will be cautious about their chances of winning the upcoming World Cup. Stunning lapses have plagued their previous two appearances, causing some to question if this team can hold up on a world stage. 

• England

England has the star power to go toe-to-toe with any other World Cup squad. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Cole Palmer are among the stars leading this year’s team, but do the Three Lions have the depth to support them? It seemed to hold up well when they finished as runners-up in the 2024 Euro Championship, but this expanded tournament format will further test England.

• Germany

Germany is one of the most intriguing bets to win this tournament. German players have played the third-most minutes in the Big Five leagues, and the second-most in the Champions League. However, stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are both under 23. How will that kind of youth fare against powerhouses like France and Spain?

Darkhorse Winners

• USA

The USMNT gained momentum after hiring Mauricio Pochettino to take over as boss, but that has begun to fade. The team has lost its last two matches to Canada and Panama in the Concacaf Nations League. This was a big test for the new-look squad, but they failed it miserably. We like them as a long shot because of their role as World Cup co-hosts and the talented young core, led by Golden Boot contender Christian Pulisic.

• Norway

If you are looking for a massive payout, Norway is a great team heading into the World Cup betting season. This is far from the most talented squad, but they have two bona fide stars in Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. If the duo can get hot, along with some support from the rest of the squad, there is no reason this underrated team can’t make a run at a tournament title.

The Golden Boot is a World Cup award given to the tournament’s top goal scorer. Legendary stars like Ronaldo and Thomas Müller have won the prestigious title. France’s Kylian Mbappe won the award in the 2022 World Cup and will hope to repeat it in 2026.

Below are some of the favorites with betting apps to win the award and why so many soccer experts believe they will.

Kylian Mbappe - France

Mbappe becomes the betting favorite to repeat as Golden Boot winner in the 2026 World Cup. At 26, the French superstar leads Real Madrid in goals and has the second-most in La Liga. With a strong core around him and France an early favorite to win, Mbappe should be set up for another incredible run.

Erling Haaland - Norway

We mentioned Haaland above when we were discussing Norway’s chances this season. Haaland and Mbappe are expected to be the top two players in the tournament. The French star will have a better team around him, but Haaland will have another star on the pitch, Martin Odegaard. Those two will feed off each other, leading to plenty of scoring chances.

Julian Alvarez - Argentina

Julian Alvarez may be the biggest wildcard in the race for the 2026 Golden Boot. He scored four goals in five games in the 2022 World Cup, but he had Lionel Messi helping him create chances on the pitch. Now that the legend is gone, can Alvarez still deliver? He leads Argentina in goals scored during World Cup qualifiers with three goals in 14 matches.

Christian Pulisic - USA

Speaking of wildcards, nobody knows what to make of the USMNT. They have not looked great, but with a new manager, home-field advantage, and one of the world’s top young stars, some expect them to turn some heads in 2026. If they do, Christian Pulisic will be leading the way. The 26-year-old is arguably the best American player ever, but will that carry over to the World Cup?

If you want to expand your sports betting into World Cup soccer, we have you covered! Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Choose a sportsbook: Before you get started, finding the right sportsbook for you is essential. Be sure to compare several options: the welcome bonus, odds, payment methods, live betting options, and user reviews. Many people assume sportsbooks are essentially all the same, but taking time to research can mean more money in your pockets. We also recommend seeing which betting sites will be live-streaming World Cup games.
2. Create an account: Once you have found a sportsbook, it's time to create it. Simply download the sports betting app or visit the site and click the button to “join” or “sign up”. Follow the prompts to create your account.
3. Make an initial deposit: Once your account is created, you’ll need to make your first deposit. We recommend choosing a payment method you plan to use for withdrawals. Just be sure to claim your welcome bonus before making your deposit.
4. Place your bet: Now that you have a funded account, it's time to bet on the World Cup! Use the search feature or navigate to World Cup betting by using the side menu. Pick a wager, and be sure it meets any required terms from your welcome bonus. Once you have done that, submit the bet, and it will appear on your bet ticket for you to track.

While each sportsbook has a unique sign-up process, you can follow the steps above to get started with any of them. 

Now that you know how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, it's time to choose sportsbooks for your wagers. There are many fantastic sportsbooks, but three stand out above the rest. Below is a comparison table of those to

No matter which sportsbook you end up choosing, be sure you always bet responsibly. These platforms give bettors plenty of incentive to wager on the World Cup, but it's up to you to ensure you are betting within your means. We recommend setting a budget so you can enjoy the excitement of betting on soccer’s top event without the fear of devastating losses.

While being a soccer fan can give you an edge when betting on the World Cup, there are other ways to help improve your chances of winning big! Below are a few tips to help you start on the right foot.

Research your bets

Many bettors tend to follow their gut when betting, but a little research can go a long way. There is no shortage of World Cup previews and stats online, allowing you to read a few different takes on a tournament, match, or player you want to bet on. While just checking the stats can help, reading previews or other articles can add context that the numbers don’t show.

Avoid emotional betting

The World Cup has become a massive event because of the fans' passion for their country’s team. While it's tempting to back your favorite team, that is not always a sound betting strategy. We recommend avoiding personal biases to allow your research to guide you to the best available wagers.

Understand your bets

Several straightforward betting options are available for the World Cup, but some can be more complex. Understanding the kind of wager you place before you lock it in is crucial. Failing to do this can cost you money and lead to some heartbreaking losses. 

Set a budget

The most important recommendation we can give you is to set a firm budget for the World Cup. The tournament can lead to emotional betting, which can quickly clean out your account. Setting a budget can prevent you from overspending without realizing it. We usually use PayPal or Venmo to manage that budget and put an extra buffer between your bank and betting accounts.

The FIFA World Cup was first played in 1930 with 13 teams. Aside from two delays during World War II, the tournament has been played every four years since then, with the field growing to 48 teams this season. 

Soccer supporters around the globe hoped for a worldwide tournament in the late 1800s, but it took decades to get enough support to launch. A rise in the popularity of Olympic soccer helped fuel demand for an international tournament, leading to the creation of the World Cup.

While the tournament was disrupted by war after its third iteration, it returned in 1950 after the war ended. 

Below is a list of the tournament’s previous winners.

World Cup All-Time Performance Table

While countries worldwide compete in the World Cup, only eight countries have been able to capture a title. Teams from Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, and France have dominated these tournaments in the past and have a shot at adding another World Cup title in 2026.

Below is a table showing how some of the tournament’s most successful teams stack up against each other.

Analysis & Insights

As you can see in the table above, Brazil has won the most since it was launched almost 100 years ago. However, France, Argentina, Italy, and Germany all have won since the powerhouse’s last title in 2022.

While Brazil has the most titles, Germany has been the most consistently successful squad. They lead all other countries in runner-ups, top four finishes, and even golden boot winners. The country continues to produce top soccer talent, with its most recent coming in 2014.