2026 World Cup Betting and Odds at NetBet Sport

The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is the biggest yet, with 48 nations battling for glory across 16 host cities in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

Played every four years, the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world - by a considerable distance as well. With certain matches watched by billions of fans across the globe, there really is nothing quite like this festival of football.

And the World Cup is also one of the most popular tournaments to bet on, with World Cup betting opportunities increasing every four years. Here at NetBet, we’ll have offers and promotions running throughout the 2026 edition of this famous competition, to perfectly compliment our wide range of markets and betting odds.

But before you look to place a bet on our vast selection of World Cup odds, check out our little guide below for some handy information, which can help you craft an effective World Cup betting strategy.

History of the World Cup Winners

The World Cup was first played back in 1930, and the inaugural tournament was won by Uruguay. Italy then reigned supreme in 1934 and 1938, before Uruguay famously beat Brazil at the Maracana to win the 1950 edition.

West Germany claimed the crown in 1954 - and then Brazil began an era of dominance. Led by Pele, the South American nation won three tournaments in 12 years (1958, 1962 and 1970), with England’s one and only victory in 1966 stopping them from making it four wins in a row.

1974 saw West Germany return to the top of the tree, with Argentina winning their maiden World Cup four years later. Italy claimed a second victory in 1982, followed by another victory for Argentina in 1986 - inspired by the great Diego Maradona.

West Germany once again secured the prize in 1990, followed by two more victories for Brazil (1994 and 2002), either side of France’s maiden win on home soil in 1998. It was Italy’s turn again in 2006, before a first success for Spain four years later in South Africa.

A unified Germany captured the title in 2014, with France winning again in 2018. And 2022 famously went the way of Argentina and their little magician, Lionel Messi.

Can the South American nation and their heroic captain retain the crown?

Who are the 2026 World Cup Favourites?

Spain, England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Portugal, Germany and Netherlands are tipped as the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. Norway, Colombia, Uruguay and Belgium are all viewed as 'dark horses'.

Popular World Cup Betting Markets

Match Result: Predict which nation will win the World Cup match.

Double Chance: Allows you to select an option which covers two possible outcomes, such as ‘Team 1 or Draw’. This is a great market if you fancy an underdog to spring a surprise.

Total Goals (Over/Under): Bet on whether the total goals in a game will be over or under a specified value.

Goalscorer Bets: Decide whether a player will score First, Last or Anytime in a match. Multi-Goal options are also available, but come with an added element of risk.

Shots on Target: Predict whether a player will have over or under a specified number of shots on target. For example, Erling Haaland to have over 1.5 shots on target for Norway.

Outright World Cup Betting Markets

Outright betting markets for the World Cup are available at NetBet in the build up to the tournament, and all the way through to the final itself.

Our outright section is where you can bet on the Winner and Top Scorer, as well as the winner of each group and the winner of each predetermined path (A, B, C & D).

Of course, the outright odds will fluctuate in the months prior to the start date according to player/team performance, and will continue to adjust as the tournament progresses.

World Cup Betting Tips

Research the teams: An expanded World Cup means the introduction of nations/players who are perhaps not as well-known. So before placing any wager, make sure you are fully clued up on the teams and athletes involved, consulting trusted online sources for the most reliable information.

Check the weather: The weather conditions may play a major role at this World Cup, with the heat in the USA and Mexico likely to prove hard to handle for nations with generally cooler climates. So factor the kick-off times and weather forecasts into your chosen World Cup betting strategy to achieve the best results.

Stay up to date: With so many games packed into a relatively short space of time, keeping up to date with team news, group standings and injuries can give you a real edge when it comes to World Cup betting. For example, if England have secured top spot in the group with a game to spare, the Three Lions manager will look to rest key players ahead of the knockout stage. Always try to stay one step ahead!

FAQs

Which matches at the World Cup are available to bet on?

Every single match at the 2026 World Cup is available to bet on right here at NetBet. From the group-stage encounters to the grand finale, you are never short of World Cup betting options. In total, 104 games will be played between the 48 nations at the 2026 World Cup.

Is live betting available for the World Cup?

Yes, all 104 games at the 2026 World Cup will be available in our ‘In-Play’ section after kick-off. Live betting is a great way to place bets on the World Cup, as it allows you to react in real-time to events unfolding in a specific match. Watch on as our live odds on desktop and mobile adjust according to the flow of play, with live match stats and animations also available, creating an immersive World Cup betting experience.

What promotions are available to use on the World Cup?

Throughout the duration of the World Cup, NetBet will have a wide range of offers available for customers to use. So keep a keen eye on our exclusive Promotions page, which will regularly update with Bet Builder & Free Bet Offers, Odds Boosts and more.