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2026 FIFA World Cup: Formats, markets and betting odds

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises more drama, more goals, and way more chances to win—especially with a 48‑team line-up. Hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, this expanded tournament brings nonstop football action from June to mid‑July. From group stages to the final whistle, every match matters. Betting on it at Sportsbet.io is seamless and ideal for crypto-savvy fans.

What to expect in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams instead of 32, meaning more matches and more action. The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Games will take place across 16 cities, from June 11 to July 19, and will have 104 matches, compared to 64 in past tournaments. Here’s a list of the host cities you can look forward to: 

United States

  • New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)

  • Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)

  • Dallas (AT&T Stadium)

  • San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium)

  • Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)

  • Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

  • Seattle (Lumen Field)

  • Houston (NRG Stadium)

  • Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)

  • Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)

  • Boston/Foxborough (Gillette Stadium).

Canada 

  • Toronto (BMO Field)

  • Vancouver (BC Place Stadium).

Mexico

  • Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)

  • Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)

  • Monterrey (Estadio BBVA).

Format and expansion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s expansion from 32 teams to 48 teams is the first big change to the format since 1998. The teams will be split into 12 groups, with 4 teams in each. Every team will play 3 matches in the group stage. 

The top 2 teams from each group will move on, along with the 8 best third-place teams. This will create a new round of 32, making the knockout stage longer and more intense. 

Teams that reach the final four will now play 8 matches, instead of 7. The tournament will last 39 days, a full week longer than the previous World Cups.

FIFA World Cup 2026 underdogs to bet on

With an expanded 48-team tournament, several nations could headline the story—not just as participants, but as emerging forces taking centre stage.

Debutants to watch

  • Uzbekistan: Already qualified! They secured their first-ever World Cup berth with a 0–0 draw against the UAE, finishing as one of Asia’s top two from Group A.

  • Venezuela: The only CONMEBOL nation yet to ever make a World Cup finds itself within reach of qualification or the intercontinental playoff spots.

  • Comoros: Currently sitting second in their CAF qualifying group behind Ghana, they are well-positioned to keep their World Cup hopes alive. 

Continental surprises

  • Sudan: Tied for second place (on goal difference) in Group B of the CAF qualifiers, they are pushing DR Congo for the top spot and remain firmly in contention.

  • Rwanda: Sitting second in Group C behind South Africa, they are in a strong position to challenge for qualification and potentially make history.

How to bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Sportsbet.io

Getting started with Sportsbet.io is fast, easy, and secure—especially for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you sign up and place your bets:

  1. Create your account

Click the ‘Sign Up’ button. You can sign up using your email, a supported social media account, or even directly through a crypto wallet for quick and seamless access.

  1. Make a deposit

Fund your account using your preferred currency—USDT, BTC, ETH, or other crypto options. Crypto deposits are instant, giving you more time to focus on the matches.

  1. Navigate to the World Cup markets

Once you’re logged in, go to Sports → Soccer → Future → International → 2026 FIFA World Cup. You’ll find all the outright and upcoming match markets here.

  1. Place your bet

Choose your desired match or outright market, such as match winner, over/under goals, top goal scorer, or fun prop bets. Enter your stake, review the odds, and click ‘Place Bet’ to lock it in.

  1. Enjoy exclusive features

Make the most of your betting experience with Bet Sharing, allowing you to showcase your picks with friends; the Smart Bet Tracker, which helps monitor your bets in real-time; and the Sportsbet.io Mobile App, perfect for betting on the go.

2026 FIFA World Cup betting markets

The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings a huge variety of betting opportunities, and Sportsbet.io has markets to match every type of fan. These let you wager on different aspects of the tournament and individual matches, whether you're betting on outright winners or in-game events.

Some of the most popular markets you should consider include:

1X2

Choose one of three outcomes: the home team wins (1), the match ends in a draw (X), or the away team wins (2). This market is great for beginners since it’s easy to understand. The lower the odds, the more favoured that team is to win.

Handicaps

This levels the playing field between the two teams. If one team is much stronger, the bookmaker may give them a negative handicap. This means they must win by at least two goals for your bet to win. The underdog might receive a positive handicap, meaning they can lose by one goal, draw, or win for your bet to succeed.

Correct Score

In this market, you predict the exact final score of the match. While difficult to get right, this bet comes with high payouts. For example, if you predict a 2–1 win and that’s the final score, your bet wins.

Double Chance

Double chance betting allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes. You can bet on either Team A or a draw, or Team B or a draw—making this ideal when backing a slight underdog.

Both Teams to Score

You bet ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on whether both teams will score at least one goal during the match. This market is popular in group-stage games and high-scoring rivalries.

Outright Markets

These are long-term bets, such as which team will win the tournament, who will top a group, or which player will claim the Golden Boot. Outright bets are ideal for fans following the full tournament.

Prop Bets

These fun and creative wagers don’t directly depend on who wins or loses. You can bet on things like the first player to score, total yellow or red cards, or whether there will be a penalty shootout. For example, you could bet on a specific goalkeeper to save a penalty or guess the total corners in a match.

Betting odds formats

Knowing how odds work is key to making smart bets. Sportsbet.io offers multiple formats to suit your preference, all leading to the same potential winnings displayed differently.

  • Decimal odds (4.8 USDT): Bet 1 USDT, receive a total of 4.8 USDT back—profit of 3.8.

  • Hong Kong odds (4.8): Profit is 4.8 USDT per 1 USDT staked; stake returned separately.

  • American odds (+480): Win 480 units per 100 staked; for 1 USDT, return equals the decimal example.

Betting tips for the World Cup

When rooting for your favourite FIFA World Cup team, make sure you have a strategy under your sleeve. Here are some that you should check out:

  • Back the underdog in the right matchups: Don’t ignore smaller teams. When they’re in form or coached by a tactician who knows how to exploit weaknesses, they can surprise stronger sides. Look for favourable odds when key players or tactics align in their favour.

  • Use over/under totals for match flow: If both teams are known for attacking play or poor defending, betting on over 2.5 goals may offer great value. On the other hand, when two defensive teams meet, an under 2.5 goals bet could be the smarter choice.

  • Consider live betting: Matches often shift dramatically in the second half or during added time. If you’re watching closely, you can capitalise on momentum swings, like a tired defence or aggressive substitutions, in real time.

Try exclusive Sportsbet.io features

We offer tools that enhance your betting experience beyond just placing a wager:

  • Betslip Sharing: With just one link, you can share your betslip with friends. Whether they want to follow your picks or copy them for their own bets, this makes group betting more social and fun.

  • Mobile App: Whether you're watching the match from the pub or commuting, the Sportsbet.io app for iOS and Android lets you bet with ease. It’s fast, responsive, and designed to make mobile wagering smooth and hassle-free.

Bet on your favourite FIFA World Cup team with Sportsbet.io! 

Sportsbet.io offers secure crypto deposits, clear odds formats, and standout features like Bet Sharing and the Mobile App to make your betting smoother. Be sure to use promotions and bonuses to potentially boost your wagers—even a small bonus can make a big difference. Good luck and enjoy the beautiful game at Sportsbet.io!