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This June and July, the Beautiful Game captivates North America for five exhilarating weeks. Whether you’re rooting for the United States or are a fan of other nations, there are ample opportunities to enhance your experience with some betting action.

Here’s a straightforward guide on how to get started with betting during the 2026 World Cup, whether you’re a veteran or a newbie.

Match Betting

Moneyline/Three-way Betting

The simplest form of match betting involves three outcomes: a win for either team or a draw. Draws, while less common, can occur frequently; for example, in the Qatar 2022 group stage, 13 matches ended as draws. If you’re betting on two evenly matched teams, especially those known for their strong defense, picking the draw may be a solid choice.

Tie No Bet

Draws can be frustrating, particularly when a last-minute goal spoils an otherwise successful bet. A popular option, especially for those who prefer a definitive outcome, is the “Tie No Bet” wager. This option eliminates draws, and if the match ends in a tie, your bet is refunded. Although the odds may not be as high, this bet reduces uncertainty, making it appealing, especially when betting on an underdog.

Spread Bets

Spread bets offer a chance to secure better odds if you believe one team is significantly stronger than the other or if the underdog might perform better than expected. For example, if you think the United States can defeat a weaker Australian team by at least two goals (-1.5), this might be a wise bet. Betting on an underdog like South Africa against Mexico might mean +1.5, where you win if South Africa draws or loses by only one goal.

Over/Under Totals

This is a fun wager when both teams have strong defenses or when you expect a lot of goals. The total is usually set at 2.5, giving you the option to root for high-scoring games or a defensive showdown.

Match/Player Propositions

If you have a specific prediction for a match, there’s a great chance you can find a corresponding proposition bet. You can bet on exact scores, whether both teams will score, individual players’ stats like goals and assists, and more, allowing for creative combinations in your betting strategy.

In-Game Bets

If Paraguay is ahead in a match, but you believe the U.S. can come back to win or at least draw, you can place a live bet to take advantage of improved odds.

Future Bets

If you prefer long-term betting, numerous intriguing options are available between now and the time the FIFA World Cup trophy is awarded in late July.

Group Futures

Want to back Germany to top Group E? You can place a bet on that. Or, if you feel certain about the precise finishing order among teams like Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curacao, your options are vast. You can even predict just the top two teams in a group—it’s up to you how specific you want to be in forecasting the final results.

Other group-related bets include options on which teams will qualify, how many matches they will win or lose, and more. Just be cautious; for example, if you bet on France to win all their group matches, one draw will ruin your bet.

Team Futures

Beyond group results, you can take on longer-odds bets like which nation will score the most goals overall, the timing of their elimination, and who wins or finishes as the runner-up in the finals.

Player Futures

These bets vary widely. For instance, you can wager that France’s Kylian Mbappé will be the top scorer, or that American Christian Pulisic will score more than 1.5 goals. If you believe Brazil has a good chance of going far, goalkeeper Álisson could be a contender for the Golden Glove at +500.

Parlays

Connecting multiple bets can lead to significant payouts. Whether you prefer to design your own combination bets or go with a featured offer, this strategy can yield high rewards. For example, there’s a bet available via DraftKings backing the three host nations—United States, Mexico, and Canada—to finish at the top of their respective groups, priced at +1088, where a $10 bet would return $118.80. But remember, if any part of your bet fails to go your way, the entire wager is lost. It’s crucial to balance potential rewards against the risks of such bets.