World Cup betting is available now, with the biggest football tournament also drawing some of the biggest punters. FIFA World Cup ’26 betting opened before the conclusion of the last event, with Brazil, Spain and Germany opening favourite. The Football World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada is due to begin on June 11, 2026. Read on to learn about World Cup betting sites, football wagering strategy, WC odds and of course, in-sight into who is in the box seat to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 26 betting
Welcome to the big show. The biggest stand-alone sporting event in the world.
Not to mention far and away the biggest sports betting event. Tens of billions of dollars turned over, through legal and illegal means, in the space of a month on 104 matches in host nations USA, Mexico and Canada, involving the 48 qualified teams.
The previous World Cup in Qatar in 2026 was a smash hit, with Argentina emerging as the champions. They are again among the favourites for World Cup 2026, along with the samba superstars of Brazil, Germany and Spain.
With the World Cup expanding from 32 to 48 teams, FIFA World Cup 2026 looms as a great one of for educated punters, with, as we have seen in the cricket World Cup, blowouts common and betting opportunities galore.
Our football experts at the World Gambling List aim to keep you abreast of important events and news that will affect the odds and chances of each team in the lead-up to the tournament, which starts in Moscow in mid-June.
World Cup final: Sunday, 19 July 2026, New Jersey Stadium
Defending champions: Argentina (defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar).
The draw: The 2026 World Cup Finals will be staged across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, broken down as below.
United States (11): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
Mexico (3): Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
Canada (2): Toronto, Vancouver
World Cup Qualifying groups
The draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was decided on December 13, 2024, with qualifying matches set to kick off in 2025. The qualifying groups fell like this for the Qatar World Cup:
Pot 1: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel
Flórián Albert (Hungary), Garrincha (Brazil), Valentin Ivanov (Soviet Union), Dražan Jerković (Yugoslavia), Leonel Sánchez (Chile), Vavá (Brazil) 4
1958
Brazil
Sweden
5-2
Sweden
Just Fontaine (France) 13
1954
Germany
Hungary
3-2
Switzerland
Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) 11
1950
Uruguay
Brazil
2-1
Brazil
Ademir (Brazil) 8
1946
not held
1942
not held
1938
Italy
Hungary
4-2
France
Leônidas (Brazil) 7
1934
Italy
Czechoslovakia
2-1
Italy
Oldřich Nejedlý (Czechoslovakia) 5
1930
Uruguay
Argentina
4-2
Uruguay
Guillermo Stábile (Argentina) 8
World rankings for Russia 2018 teams
(As at April 13, 2018)
1. Germany
2. Brazil
3. Belgium
4. Portugal
5. Argentina
6. Switzerland
7. France
8. Spain
10. Poland
11. Peru
12. Denmark
13. England
14. Tunisia
15. Mexico
16. Colombia
17. Uruguay
18. Croatia
22. Iceland
23. Sweden
25. Costa Rica
28. Senegal
35. Serbia
36. Iran
40. Australia
42. Morocco
46. Egypt
47. Nigeria
55. Panama
60. Japan
61. South Korea
66. Russia
70. Saudi Arabia
Who will win the 2018 World Cup?
Argentina
The two-time champions were not overly impressive in South American qualifying, with seven wins, seven draws and four losses in their 18 matches, but when it mattered Lionel Messi banged in a hat-trick to seal the deal. Odds: $11. What we say: What could be finer than watching a master such as Messi, who won the 2014 Golden Ball, strut his stuff on the biggest stage? Quarter-finals at least.
Australia
Advanced after winning a two-legged play-off against Honduras 3-1. Earlier they were upstaged in Asian qualifying by Japan and Saudi Arabia. You can learn more about betting on football by looking at the history, check out our guide to the Socceroos World Cup history. Odds: $301. What we say: Made it out of the group stage in 2006 and matching that would be a big achievement.
Belgium
Highly rated and knocked in goals for fun in qualifying, scoring 43 in 10 matches, which included nine wins and a draw. Odds: $12. What we say: Dark horses this time but we are not yet convinced given they were in one of the weaker qualifying groups in Europe. One to watch.
Brazil
The five-time champions will be desperate to erase the bitter memory of their 7-1 semi-final humiliation on home soil against Germany in 2014. Cruised through qualifying and are due for something special. Odds: $5. What we say: Have a point to prove and loom as the team to beat.
Colombia
Quarter-finalists in 2014 and were solid through qualifying without setting the world on fire. Fared well in the draw. Odds: $41. What we say: With players of the ilk of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, one of the rising stars of the 2014 Cup, they are a dangerous proposition. Quarter-finals again.
Costa Rica
Put up a great display in the 2014 finals where they beat the likes of Italy and Uruguay before losing on penalties in the quarter-finals. Odds: $501. What we say: Emerged from a tough group four years ago and it does not get easier this time around drawn in a group with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia.
Croatia
Put Greece to the sword in a two-legged play-off to qualify for these finals. The team that beat them to automatic qualification, Iceland, again stands in their path, along with Argentina and Nigeria. Odds: $34. What we say: Powerhouse midfield led by Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric can propel them through to the top 16.
Denmark
Too good for Ireland in second-round Euro qualifying after a solid campaign in the group stages. Fifth appearance at the finals, with a best result of reaching the quarter-finals in 1998. Odds: $101. What we say: Good chance of getting out of their group, but would be a major surprise if they went further.
Egypt
Qualified top of their group in Africa to reach the finals for the first time since 1990. This is their third time on football’s biggest stage. Odds: $151. What we say: Not drawn in the toughest group and could surprise by making it out of their group.
England
Ultra-impressive in qualifying with eight wins and two draws in their 10 matches, conceding only three goals while scoring 18. Odds: $19. What we say: Have a history of disappointment on the big stage but Gareth Southgate’s men have a great chance of reaching the quarters here.
France
Powered through European qualifying and look a top-notch outfit. Suffered the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Portugal in Euro 2016 on home soil. Odds: $7.50. What we say: A star-studded line-up and all the signs point to a big tournament from the French, who were champions in 1998.
Germany
A perfect 10 wins from 10 games to qualify top of their group, knocking in 43 goals for good measure. The defending champions were spectacular four years ago and despite their stars starting to age deserve their place among the favourites. Odds: $5.50. What we say: The ultimate professionals and just know how to perform on the big stage. Brazil will be hoping to avoid them, that’s for sure.
Iceland
Cinderella team making their first appearance in the World Cup finals. They may be smallest nation by population to qualify but it was certainly no fluke as they qualified top of a group that contained Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. Odds: $201. What we say: Iceland were also impressive in Euro 2016 but it would surprise if they made it out of a tough group.
Iran
Unbeaten in Asian qualifying, winning six and drawing four of their 10 matches. Conceded only two goals, but the draw has not been kind, putting them in a group with Portugal and Spain. Odds: $501. What we say: Fifth time in the World Cup finals. Have never made it past the group stage and that’s unlikely to change this time.
Japan
Topped a competitive group in Asian qualifying to be one of the first teams through to the finals, the sixth successive time they have made it through. Odds: $301. What we say: Draw gives them a decent chance of equalling their best result of making the second round.
Mexico
Have an impressive record of qualifying (this is their 16th overall appearance in the World Cup finals), but it’s been a long time since they made any impact once they get there. Odds: $101. What we say: First-up assignment against Germany may knock the stuffing out of them.
Morocco
Did not concede a goal in their six qualifying matches, but the draw has not been kind here with Spain and Portugal in their group. Odds: $501. What we say: Hard to see them surviving the group stage.
Nigeria
They were great in qualifying with four wins and two draws in six matches and will fancy their chances of making it out of a group including Argentina, Croatia and Iceland. Odds: $201. What we say: Super Eagles can soar into the last 16 with a couple of upsets.
Panama
A mighty effort to qualify for the finals for the first time, sealing a spot with a thrilling 2-1 win against neighbours Costa Rica. Odds: $1001. What we say: Congratulations but group looks too tough.
Peru
The last team to book their place in Russia, surviving a two-legged play-off against Oceania champions New Zealand. Used to mixing it with the big teams in South America. Odds: $201. What we say: Realistic chances against Australia and Denmark means they could advance.
Poland
Ace marksman Robert Lewandowski knocked in 16 goals in 10 matches as Poland romped through qualifying with just one loss, against Denmark in Copenhagen. Odds: $51. What we say: Even group gives them a real chance of reaching the knockout rounds.
Portugal
Have carried on from their memorable Euro 2016 triumph to qualify in style. Dropped their first match 2-0 to Switzerland but then won nine straight to pip the Swiss for top spot in their qualifying group. Odds: $26. What we say: Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest stage? What’s not to love.
Russia
Qualify as host nation but it’s been a long time since they made a real impact, even in the Soviet Union days. Odds: $41. What we say: Fanatical home support will help and they should be able to get off to a winning start against Saudi Arabia. Second round.
Saudi Arabia
Scraped through their group in Asia to qualify for the fifth time. Best previous result is making the round of 16. Odds: $1001. What we say: Tough group and look like a likely early casualty.
Senegal
Undefeated in Africa qualifying and at their only previous appearance at a World Cup finals they made the quarter-finals in 2002. Odds: $201. What we say: Offer something different to a lot of the teams and could prove hard to contain. Second round.
Serbia
Finished top of their group ahead of Ireland to automatically qualify after missing out on Brazil 2014. Odds: $201. What we say: Looks a tough group but they are a professional outfit and could surprise.
South Korea
Troubling times in the country and qualified despite an indifferent campaign with only four wins in 10 games. Odds: $751. What we say: Finished fourth in 2002 but hard to see them getting anywhere near that this time.
Spain
Back on song to qualify in emphatic fashion with nine wins and a draw in 10 games and plenty of goals. Disappointing showings in 2014 and at Euro 2016. Odds: $7. What we say: Time for the next generation to put the Spanish back on top.
Sweden
Broke Italian hearts with a 1-0 aggregate in their two-legged play-off to qualify for the first time since 2006. Odds: $151. What we say: Will at least go in a battle-hardened outfit and are always a difficult team to get past.
Switzerland
Were unlucky not to qualify directly with nine wins in 10 games in their group but then were fortunate to get past Northern Ireland over two legs. Odds: $101. What we say: About a 50-50 chance of emerging from the group stages.
Tunisia
Not too many players widely known on the world stage but were solid in qualifying. Odds: $751. What we say: Have not made it out of their group in four previous World Cup finals and that is not likely to change.
Uruguay
Qualified in second place behind Brazil after the marathon South American qualifying campaign. Odds: $34. What we say: Two-time winners and can do serious damage if superstar Luis Suarez can keep his teeth to himself this time around.
