Bruce Dias 
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will undoubtedly dominate most of the sporting headlines next summer.
Given the scale of the tournament, bookmakers worldwide are preparing for a massive surge in betting activity. Read on as we provide an in-depth guide on how to bet on the 2026 World Cup.
Overview
The 2026 World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the tournament and will feature 48 teams for the first time as FIFA strives to broaden football’s appeal.
The tournament will return to the traditional northern hemisphere summer slot after the controversial 2022 winter edition in Qatar.
Thanks to the expanded format, the upcoming tournament will be the longest World Cup on record, featuring 104 matches rather than the previous 64.
Key Dates & Venues
The opening game will take place at the Aztec Stadium, Mexico City, on June 11, 2026.
The World Cup final will be staged at the 80,000-capacity MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The fixtures will be played across 16 cities – 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Format
The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group will advance to the round of 32 and will be joined by eight of the best third-placed teams.
The tournament becomes a straight knockout from this point, with extra time and penalties used to determine the outcome of matches where necessary.
Participating Teams & Qualification Overview
The three World Cup hosts are automatically guaranteed a spot in the tournament.
Japan, Iran, South Korea, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Australia have made it out of the Asian confederation with two direct qualification spots left.
Reigning champions Argentina were the first book their ticket to the showpiece among CONMEBOL teams. They have now been joined by Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.
New Zealand have taken up Oceania’s only direct qualification spot, leaving New Caledonia to fight for their place in the play-offs.
With 32 World Cup slots left, there is still plenty to play for in the qualifiers. The full line-up will be confirmed by March 2026 before the World Cup draw takes place.
Betting on the 2026 World Cup
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and there are plenty of market options for fans to explore both before and during the showpiece.
Where to Bet
Betting on the World Cup is a global phenomenon so millions of fans across the planet will be placing wagers on the prestigious tournament.
Australia’s involvement is guaranteed to spark a betting frenzy on the sportsbooks featured on AustralianBettingSites given the popularity of wagering with punters there.
Bettors will be able to access daily betting tips in Australia during the World Cup which should give them a useful advantage against the bookmakers.
Operators such as Unibet, bet365 and PlayUp are recommended by the experts at AustralianBettingSites and will each offer comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
Betting Markets
Some of the most popular World Cup betting markets include:
- Outright Winner: Betting on who will lift the trophy.
- Top Goalscorer: Wager on which player will score the most goals.
- Group Winners: Predicting which nation will top their group.
- Match Bets: Straightforward wagers on the outcome of each game.
- Prop Bets: Betting on the number of goals, cards, corners and more.
- Live Betting: Placing wagers as the game unfolds live.
Betting Guide
It takes a little more than sheer luck to bank a profit while betting on the World Cup. For the best results, punters must to put in the legwork to research and formulate a betting strategy.
Start by studying the form of each team, then track injuries and take note of which players are fatigued. Injuries are part of the game, but they can also significantly affect a team’s performance.
Once the World Cup draw is completed, keep an eye on group dynamics. Adventurous bettors who want to take calculated risks can bet on groups where underdogs may spring a surprise.
Some of the dark horses such as Australia could be enticing bets, but make sure you bet responsibly. Take advantage of promotions and only stake whatever amount you can afford to lose.
