Ready to crush it in World Cup betting? The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international soccer, offering unmatched excitement and endless wagering opportunities every four years. To boost your winnings and keep losses in check, you’ll need sharp strategies and smart choices.

This guide will arm you with expert insights and tips to bet on World Cup events like a pro.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Discover strategies to make winning World Cup bets.
Learn about the different markets available in World Cup betting.
Learn how to place a World Cup bet in simple steps.

Why Bet on the World Cup?

The World Cup is soccer’s grandest stage, showcasing elite teams, diverse tactics, and unforgettable moments. Beyond the excitement, it offers unique betting opportunities, from match winners to prop bets, with sportsbooks rolling out exclusive promotions and bonuses, and odds boosts.

I still remember betting on France to win the 2018 final—watching them triumph while cashing in on risk-free bet offers made the experience truly unforgettable!

World Cup Betting Markets

The World Cup offers a range of betting options similar to the ones you will find in soccer betting. Here are some of the most common types of bets available:

Match betting
Tournament betting
Props
Live Betting

Match Betting

Match betting refers to wagers on the outcome of individual matches in the World Cup. You are staking on the performance of two teams in a single game and predicting the score, result, or other outcomes.

There are several bets you can place in this section:

Full-time/ Match result: The most popular market in the World Cup. Here, you are betting on either team to win or the match to end in a draw.
Double chance: You are covering two outcomes with this wager. Bet on a team to win or draw.
Draw no bet: You bet on a team to win. If the match ends in a draw, your stake will be refunded.
Over/under goals: A wager on the total number of goals that will be scored in the match, half-time or full-time. Usually starts from 0.5 goals and can go up to 5.5 goals.
Asian Handicap: Bet on a team to win with a handicap applied to the final score
Correct score: This often comes with high odds; here, you predict the exact scoreline, such as 1-0, 2-1, 3-0, etc.
Both teams to score: You wager on both teams scoring or not.

Keep in mind that, like traditional soccer betting, most match markets in the World Cup are tied to events that occur within the standard 90-minute playtime. If the match goes to extra time or penalties, original bets will not be carried over, unless specified in the market terms.

Tournament Betting

With tournament bets, you are focusing on the outcome of the entire World Cup and not individual matches. Some markets you can consider in this category are:

Outright winner: Here, you wager on the team to lift the trophy or overall winner. This type of bet is usually available as a futures bet well before the tournament starts.
Top goalscorer: Predict the player to score more goals or win the Golden Boot in the World Cup
Group winners: Teams are typically divided into various groups before the tournament begins, and this bet involves which team will top or qualify in their respective groups.
Stage of elimination: You can also predict which stage a team will be eliminated. You can select from the group stage, the round of 16, quarterfinals, semis, or even the final.

Props

Beyond the standard win/loss or score outcome, the World Cup features other proposition bets you can wager on. Let’s take a look at some of them below:

Golden Glove: You are wagering on which goalkeeper will win the award for the tournament’s most outstanding goalkeeper. It is not necessarily given to the keeper with the most clean sheets. Instead, performances throughout the tournament are considered.
Golden Ball: This award goes to the player who has made the most impact in the tournament. It isn’t necessarily based on the number of goals or assists.
FIFA Young Player Award: Predict which player aged 21 or under will win the award for the most outstanding young player of the tournament.
Other prop markets: It can include the team to score the most goals, the team with the fewest yellow and red cards, and more.

Live Betting

Live betting allows you to wager on World Cup matches as they unfold in real time. Unlike traditional betting, which ends before kickoff, you can place live bets during the game.

You can spot momentum shifts or wagering opportunities as the game progresses and quickly react to them.

You can bet on various outcomes like:

Next goalscorer
Next team to score
Total goals in the match
Correct score
Time of next goal
The number of corners or yellow cards

If the match leads to a penalty shootout, you can wager on in-play markets such as:

The next player to score their penalty
The next player to miss
Will the goalkeeper make a save or not?

FIFA World Cup Betting: Strategies for Success

Adopting a betting strategy when you wager on World Cup matches can help you make more intelligent and calculated bets. The goal is to boost your winnings and minimize your losses. The tips below will show you how.

Understand World Cup Odds

Odds represent both the likelihood of an outcome and your potential payout. The three main formats are:

Moneyline (American): Positive numbers show underdog payouts, while negative numbers indicate the amount needed to wager on favorites to win $100.
Decimal (European): Multiply the decimal by your stake to calculate your total return (e.g., 1.50 returns $1.50 for every $1 bet).
Fractional (British): Shows the ratio of winnings to stake (e.g., 2/4 means $2 for every $4 wagered).

Read the linked guide on the World Cup soccer odds for more details.

Leverage Expert World Cup Picks

Save time by using expert picks based on in-depth research. These insights help you make informed bets quickly. Combine them with your analysis, and stay updated on team news, injuries, and form for the best results.

Practice Bankroll Management

Keep betting fun by managing your bankroll wisely:

Set a budget you can afford to lose, divided into units per match or round.
Establish a stop-loss limit to prevent excessive losses.
Stick to your budget, even when winning.
Never chase losses.

How Can I Bet on the World Cup?

Follow this step-by-step guide below to learn how to start betting on World Cup events with ease:

Select a sportsbook.
Select a licensed, regulated platform like FanDuel or DraftKings, known for extensive markets and promotions in most legal states.
Create an account.
Register by providing personal details, verifying your identity, and completing the signup process.
Fund your bankroll.
Add money using your preferred method, such as credit card or e-wallet, via the cashier section.
Explore markets.
Head to the “Soccer” section to view World Cup markets, including match winners and tournament outcomes.
Add to your betting slip.
Click on the odds to add bets to your slip; tap again to remove them if needed.
Place your bets.
Enter your stake, review potential payouts, and submit your bet to confirm.

Ready for the 2026 World Cup?

The World Cup delivers unmatched excitement, and having a stake in the game makes it even better. Sign up with a trusted sportsbook, apply the strategies from this guide, and always bet responsibly.

Join millions of soccer fans worldwide and make the next World Cup unforgettable! Want to elevate your betting skills? Check out our Betting 101 class today.