Wagers on Soccer During Summer: Best Picks

The most popular periods for following soccer are typically during the winter months, but the action on the field doesn’t stop at the end of the European campaigns.

During the summer, major international events are typically staged, and that will be no different in 2025. Meanwhile, there will also be the excitement of the first-ever staging of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will feature some of the biggest teams from across the globe.

You can find out more about the soccer events taking place this summer, as well as picks for each competition. You can also check the best soccer betting bonuses by YouBet here.

CONCACAF Gold Cup (June 14-July 6)

The 18th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be staged throughout the summer, with 16 teams involved. The biennial men’s competition will once again be hosted in the United States, meaning that Mauricio Pochettino’s side will rank among the most likely dangers to win the competition.

However, Mexico came into the 2025 competition as the reigning champions after winning a record-extending ninth title in 2023 after beating Panama in the final. Mexico’s record in the Gold Cup is hard to overlook, as they have won the event on six occasions since 2000, and have also reached two further finals.

The USA is the second-most successful team with seven wins, and their most recent success was achieved in 2021. Canada is the only other nation to have won the tournament, claiming success in 2000. Mexico’s confidence will be high after winning the CONCACAF Nations League in March, while the USMNT will have questions to answer after losing fixtures against Panama and Canada.

Canada could be the standout Gold Cup contender in 2025, as they have progressed excellently under Jesse Marsch. However, it is worth noting that they will come into the summer tournament without influential star Alphonso Davies.

UEFA Nations League Finals (June 4-8)

The summer soccer action gets underway just days after the 2025 Champions League final, with the competition-ending UEFA Nations League set for Germany at the start of June.

It is the fourth season of the competition, with the top two teams from each group in Nations League A competing in the quarterfinal stages in the March international window. A stunning week of matches threw up some memorable moments, but the final four that will compete in the Finals are now set.

Reigning EURO champions Spain will be a solid pick for many, as they bid to repeat their feat in Germany from last summer and win further success on the international stage. The nation is the most experienced at the Nations League Finals, after appearing in each of the last two editions. They also come into this year’s Finals as the reigning champions after winning a maiden title in 2023. France beat Spain in the 2021 Final, and will be a leading chance.

Portugal is also in the mix, as they bid to regain the title which they previously won in 2019. Germany may have home advantage, but they will be making their first ever appearance at the Finals. The team’s previous best showing came when finishing eighth in 2020-21. The hosts could be a solid chance to win their home tournament this summer, as they face Portugal in the semi-finals, meaning that they have avoided a potential showdown with either Spain or France until the final.

FIFA Club World Cup (June 14- July 13)

It will be a busy summer of soccer action in the United States this year, as the nation will also host the first expanded edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. This year’s tournament will be the 21st time that it has been held, but it will be the first time that it will feature 32 teams. Nations from continents such as Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and North America will all be involved.

Manchester City arrive in the States as the reigning champions after winning the last edition of the competition in 2023. However, winning this year’s edition of the Club World Cup will be a difficult proposition for all European teams, as it will kick off shortly after the conclusion of domestic campaigns. The 32 teams involved have been split into eight groups of four, with the top two from each progressing through to the knockout stages.

Real Madrid are the most successful team in Club World Cup history, and Los Blancos could be very difficult to overlook after being drawn alongside Al Hilal, RB Salzburg, and Pachuca. Inter Milan could also be a value play at the current odds, as they should easily progress through to the next round following matches against River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Monterrey.

However, at this stage, PSG could be the standout bet. The Parisians have been one of the standout teams in Europe this season, and they could have a straightforward passage through to the last eight at the Club World Cup this summer.