World Cup 2026 Betting – Definitive Guide

In our World Cup 2026 betting definitive guide, find out our tips for this festival of football.

What’s new for World Cup 2026?

48 teams are participating for the first time (only 32 participated in 2022).
Three countries are jointly hosting for the first time. As well as the usual 15 minute half-time break (which will be extended in the final), there will be three minute breaks in the middle of both halves in every single match – officially for a drinks break, although cynics might suggest this is a way of working television advertisements into the middle of matches (thankfully in the UK no ads will be shown in these 3-minute breaks, even on ITV).
Those who hate VAR delays, will have to put up with even more VAR stoppages including 2nd yellow cards being checked.
Thankfully, a defined set number of seconds for subs, throw-ins, goal kicks, should keep the ball in play more.

World Cup 2026 Key Dates

The opening match will take place on Thursday 11th June 2026.
World Cup 2026 is taking place in 16 cities across North America (USA/Mexico/Canada), and is the 23rd running of one of the world’s most iconic sporting competitions. Altogether 104 matches will be played (a massive increase from the 64 that were played in 2022).
The tournament starts with the group stage (which ends on 27th June), with the 48 competing teams divided into 12 groups of 4. Each team will play the other 3 teams in their group once – the top 2 in each group will automatically progress to the knockout stage, as will the 8 teams who performed best whilst finishing third in their group.
The knockout stage, starting with the Round of 32, begins on 28th June.
The final will take place on Sunday 19th July 2026.

When do England play their World Cup 2026 matches, and where can you watch England?

In the Group Stage England are in Group L.

England will play:

Croatia (9pm UK Time, on Wednesday 17th June) BBC One
Ghana (9pm UK Time, on Tuesday 23rd June) ITV1 and STV
Panama (10pm UK Time, on Saturday 27th June) ITV1 and STV

Update: Round of 32: DR Congo (5pm UK Time, on Wednesday 1st July) BBC One
Update: Round of 16: Mexico (~~1am~~ 2am UK Time, on Monday 6th July) BBC One
Update: Quarter Final: Norway (10pm UK Time, on Saturday 11th July) ITV1 and STV
Update: Semi Final: Argentina (8pm UK Time, on Wednesday 15th July) BBC One

Update: England did not get past the Semi Final stage, and will play no further part in the competition (except for the Bronze medal match).

When do Scotland play their World Cup 2026 matches, and where can you watch Scotland?

In the Group Stage Scotland are in Group C.

Scotland will play:

Haiti (2am UK Time, on Sunday 14th June) BBC One
Morocco (11pm UK Time, on Friday 19th June) ITV1 and STV
Brazil (11pm UK Time, on Wednesday 24th June) BBC One

Update: Scotland did not get past the group stage, and will play no further part in the competition.

Previous World Cup Winners, and unlucky losers

Argentina are the defending champions, having won an all-time classic against France in 2022. The match finished 3-3 after extra time, when Argentina broke the deadlock by winning 4–2 on penalties. France’s Kylian Mbappé, finished on the losing side despite scoring a hat-trick in the final (including 2 penalties), and a further successful penalty in the penalty shootout. Argentina’s Lionel Messi had a great performance for the champions with 2 goals (including 1 penalty), as well as scoring a successful penalty in the penalty shootout.
Only teams from Europe and South America have ever reached a final.
In the previous 22 editions, 8 different countries have won at least once. Brazil (5), Germany & Italy (4 each), Argentina (3), France & Uruguay (2 each), and England & Spain (1 each).
Germany have reached the most finals (8, which is one more than Brazil have appeared in).
Spare a thought for the Netherlands, who have reached 3 finals, but never won – the other teams to have reached but never won a final are: Hungary (2), Czechoslovakia (2), Sweden (1), and Croatia (1).

World Cup 2026: Tournament Winner Tip

Spain were not only the winners in Euro 2024, but were highly impressive winning 7 out of 7 matches. Wonder-kid Yamal burst onto the scene then, and may well impress even more this time around. With a well-balanced squad, they are certainly a team to watch.
England’s recent major tournament performances have been highly impressive. England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and 2022 World Cup quarter-final. They were losing finalists in both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. All this was under manager Gareth Southgate. Will world class German coach Thomas Tuchel, take England all the way?
Germany, whilst boasting an impressive past record, in our opinion are not currently likely to win due to their current squad not being world class at the moment.
Italy, of course have not qualified. Despite winning for the 4th time in 2006, they went out in the Group Stage in 2010 and 2014, and have not qualified since.
For France, please see below.

The 2 South American giants both have a great chance of success in our view. In particular, the weather conditions may suit them more than the European teams giving them an edge.

Record 5 time winners (and only team to appear at every World Cup) Brazil have got knocked out in the quarter-finals in every tournament from 2006 and onwards, except for their home tournament in 2014 where they fared one better getting knocked out in the semi-finals. With legendary club manager Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, will their fortunes improve?
Argentina, are of course the defending champions having won in 2022, and a win from them this time would be no surprise. They have also won the last 2 Copa América tournaments (2021 and 2024).

OUR TIP (made on 11 June 2026, prior to the tournament starting): France – Superb pedigree in recent competitions as 2018 World Cup winners, 2022 World Cup runners-up, and Euro 2024 semi-finalists. Multiple world class attacking threats including Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Doué will in our opinion propel them to success as they won’t be reliant on any single player should injury or individual loss of form occur.

Result: Spain won the tournament.

World Cup 2026: Golden Boot / Top Goalscorer Tip

In order to decide which player is most likely to win the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot, it is important to consider the following: which teams are likely to go furthest in the 2026 World Cup, what sort of football they are likely to play (attacking football is more likely to produce the most goals), how many other good players are in the team who are likely to provide assists and/or take team goals away from the player we are considering for the Golden Boot, how likely the player is to play (are there many options, or will this player always start if fit), and the player’s form over the last few years.

Only a maximum of 7 matches were possible for each tournament between 1998 and 2022. In those tournaments, the Golden Boot has been won with as little as 5 goals, and as much as 8 goals. In 2026 each team can play a maximum of 8 matches (3 guaranteed in the group stage, and a maximum of 5 in the knockout stage). That’s one more possible match – this may mean more goals than usual are needed.
Kylian Mbappé’s 8 goals in 2022, and Harry Kane’s 6 goals in 2018, won the Golden Boot in the previous 2 tournaments. Both will be contenders this time round. No player has won the Golden Boot twice yet – however, both these players will be contenders to change this.

OUR TIP (made on 11 June 2026, prior to the tournament starting): Harry Kane – If Kane stays fit he should be a guaranteed starter. England may be much more reliant on their captain Kane for goals, compared to other teams who have more world class attackers. England are also expected to go far. All these things combined mean that Kane is our pick for the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot / Top Goalscorer.

Result: Kylian Mbappé of France was the Golden Boot winner / Top Goalscorer.