The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to make history on and off the field. For the first time, 48 national teams are participating and 104 games will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Soccer lovers will have plenty of emotions; But if they want to add one more ingredient to their passion, they can venture into the world of sports betting. If you don't know how to place your first bet, we provide you with this guide to understand how this market works.

What is football betting?

Football betting consists of predicting the result of a match or competition and risking a certain amount of money on that prediction.

If the prediction is correct, you make a profit based on the odds set by the bookmaker.

Although the concept is simple, soccer has characteristics that make it different from other popular sports. The most important thing is that a tie is a valid and frequent result, something that completely changes the way of analyzing matches.

The most popular betting markets for the 2026 World Cup

Winner Bet (Three-Way Moneyline)

It is the most basic bet and one of the most used by people who use online platforms. There are three possible outcomes here:

For example, if you bet that Mexico will beat Czechia and the match ends in a tie, your bet will be a loser. If the match was within the qualifiers and the match ends tied, even if Mexico later wins in extra time or penalties, it is also a loser, because the betting houses take the result that was presented during the 90 minutes that the duel lasts plus what the referee adds before the end of the two halves of the match.

double chance

This market allows you to cover two results in a single bet. For example:

This option is a very attractive alternative for those looking to reduce risks, although the profits are usually lower.

Invalid tie

If you like a team, but are worried that the game will end in a tie, this option can be useful to recover your bet money.

Here is an example if you bet on Argentina: if Argentina wins, you get paid; if he loses, you lose the bet; But if the match ends tied, the bookmaker will refund your money.

Handicap or goal line

Here a team receives a virtual advantage or disadvantage before starting the match.

Example:

Brazil -1.5 goals. Canada 1.5 goals.

If you bet on Brazil -1.5, you will need them to win by two goals or more. If you bet on Canada 1.5, your team can lose by one goal and you will still win the bet.

More/Less goals (Over/Under)

It consists of predicting how many goals there will be in the match.

Example:

If the line is 2.5 goals:

Over 2.5 wins if three or more goals are scored. Under 2.5 wins if two or fewer goals are scored.

This market is usually very popular because it does not depend on choosing a winner.

Both teams score

Also known as BTTS for its acronym in English.

The question is simple:

Will both teams score at least one goal?

For example, a score of 2-1 wins the “Yes” option. A result of 3-0 wins the “No” option.

Asian handicap

It is a more advanced version of the traditional handicap. Its main advantage is that it eliminates many tie situations in the bet.

For that reason, it is usually one of the favorite markets of the most experienced bettors.

Betting on players

They allow betting on the individual performance of footballers.

Some examples are:

First scorer of the match. Player who will score at any time. Number of shots on goal. Number of cards received.

The famous bet on the Golden Boot, which rewards the tournament's top scorer, is part of this category.

Live bets

They are carried out while the match is in progress.

The odds constantly change depending on what happens on the court. A goal, a sending off or an injury can completely change the odds in a matter of seconds.

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