World Cup fever is at an all-time high, and the activity at sportsbooks is proof of that. If you're new to soccer and want to share your passion for the 2026 World Cup, you need to know the ins and outs about the top bets to make. That's where this article comes in, breaking down the fundamental soccer bets to make for the 2026 World Cup and some predictions to consider.
The Match Winner
Just like the name implies, the match winner is the team you pick in the match, or in this case, to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The odds are updated frequently, so you can easily adjust your bet slips for up-to-the-minute odds. Some sports also let you bet on either team to win or on the game ending in a draw. Many sportsbooks call this the 1x2 bet.
Draws here are different than two-way moneylines. Your bet doesn't push, and you lose your money if you bet on one of the teams to win and the game ends in a draw. Only the draw bets win. There is no push potential on 3-way soccer bets. Soccer three-way money line bets do not go into extra time if tied at regular time. These bets are always decided over 90 minutes plus time to account for injuries.
Even with fluctuating odds, according to BettingTop10 NZ, experts in football sportsbooks, Spain maintains its position as the favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England and France are hot on Spain's heels in the prediction markets in second and third place. Germany is in fourth place.
Spread Bets
It's one thing to bet on your favorite team to hoist the trophy this summer; it's another thing to bet on the points to victory. Spread bets go beyond picking the match winner. These bets pay off if your team hits the listed point margin, win or lose. For example, if Germany is listed at -1.5 goals, Germany must win by two or more goals for that spread bet to pay off. If Germany only scores one goal, that spread bet would be a loser.
Totals
No mystery here. The totals are based on the total number of goals both teams score. Hit this mark to receive payouts, regardless of which team wins or loses. Over/under bets typically accompany the total bet and offer an additional payout. For example, if the over is 2.3, you would win with 3 or more Goals is Spain and Italy finish with 3 or more goals or higher. The under pays off with 2 or fewer goals. Most live betting platforms are sophisticated enough to update the totals so that you can adjust your bet slip accordingly.
Asian Handicaps
The allure of Asian handicaps is that they plan for draws. For World Cup bettors, you can still win on the tie just as much as the winner or loser. Most Asian handicaps will refund your stake if the result you bet on isn't met or lost.
Half-lines cover Asian handicaps that either add or subtract half a goal to a team's lead or deficit. Instead of seeing -1 or +1, you'll see things like -0.5 or +1.5.
If you place a bet on a team with an Asian handicap of +0.5, that team is a winner if the match ends in a draw. The half-goal tips the result in favor of your team. Of course, the bet loses if your team loses.
Preparing for the FIFA 2026 World Cup
Preparation and studying the pre-match odds are essential for any bet you make. Injuries play a major role in match-winner and prop bets. Parlays are extremely popular, and the top sportsbooks offer special promotions. So, knowing a player's health greatly influences totals and individual prop bets as well.
With live betting, keep up with the statistics. Knowing the stats before the matchups helps you fill out the bet slip and improve your odds of success. For example, if Germany has a history of losing to Spain in tournament play, perhaps this isn't the time to pick them as the underdog to win the entire tournament.