Betting for the 2026 World Cup is officially underway. With the most anticipated sporting event for football fans just around the corner, we’ve put together a detailed guide with everything you need to know. Have a look at the top bookies in Ireland and get all the latest updates on the tournament.
- Sat 27 JunFT
Cape Verde0
Saudi Arabia0Closing odds12.68X3.4622.90 - Sat 27 JunFT
Uruguay0
Spain1Closing odds17.50X4.4021.57 - Sat 27 JunFT
Egypt1
Iran1Closing odds12.55X2.7523.95 - Sat 27 JunFT
New Zealand1
Belgium5Closing odds122.00X8.7521.20 - Sat 27 JunFT
Croatia2
Ghana1Closing odds11.85X3.4025.94 - Sat 27 JunFT
Panama0
England2Closing odds118.00X8.6021.20 - Sat 27 JunFT
Colombia0
Portugal0Closing odds14.33X3.9222.05 - Sat 27 JunFT
Congo DR3
Uzbekistan1Closing odds11.99X4.3024.60 - Sun 28 JunFT
Algeria3
Austria3Closing odds14.11X2.3722.98 - Sun 28 JunFT
Jordan1
Argentina3Closing odds117.00X8.0521.21 - Sun 28 JunFT
South Africa0
Canada1Closing odds15.33X3.6521.82 - Mon 29 JunFT
Brazil2
Japan1Closing odds11.78X3.8625.60
Showing 12 of 42 matches.
Top Bookies for the betting World Cup football
In Ireland, you have plenty of platforms to choose from to get involved in the tournament excitement, but here at Betbrothers, we want to make that choice easier for you. That’s why we’ve put together a comparison table featuring our top 5 recommended bookies for your World Cup football betting.
| Bookmaker | World Cup Advantages |
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A great operator stands out by offering real value, such as competitive odds, a massive range of markets, cracking promotions, and special features. Take a look at our list and find the perfect fit for you.
What's the best bookie for the 2026 World Cup?
While there are plenty of options out there, we want to highlight BetVictor as the top choice for your world cup football betting. They currently offer the best odds on the market, and for every single match of the tournament, they've got you covered with both 1 Up and 2 Up Early Payouts, as well as special bets, a Bet Builder, and odds boosts.
BetVictor Welcome Bonus
€50 Free Bet
Top Betting Apps for the 2026 World Cup
For maximum convenience, you can do all your World Cup football betting straight from your mobile, as most bookies now offer dedicated apps. There are plenty of options out there, and you can check out the very best ones along with their main advantages in the comparison table below.
| Betting App | Advantages |
|---|---|
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Read Review | Extensive HD streaming coverage of key World Cup live matches |
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Read Review | Attractive odds: Boosted Bets and Combo Bets |
Every app is different, so it’s well worth looking at their strengths and features to find the one that suits you best. Generally speaking, we highly value a clean interface and quality content, such as competitive odds and a wide range of markets for every match. On top of that, having access to live streaming is a massive plus.
Our Recommended App for World Cup Football Betting
QuinnBet is one of the top apps for World Cup football bets in Ireland and it’s our personal favourite. It really stands out due to its cracking range of promotions, including Early Payouts, a Bet Builder, Acca Boosts, and No Goal Dread (0-0 draw insurance). Plus, they offer over 220 different markets to get stuck into for every single World Cup match.
App with over 220 betting markets
Bet €10 and Get €60
Table of contents
- Top Bookies for the betting World Cup football
- Top Betting Apps for the 2026 World Cup
- What to know before you start your Football World Cup betting 2026
- World Cup 2026 Betting Offers and Promotions
- Check out our 2026 World Cup betting tips
- Where to watch the 2026 World Cup
- Favourites for the 2026 World Cup
- How to place a bet on the 2026 World Cup? Step by step
- 2026 World Cup Format
- Hosts and Venues
- Frequently Asked Questions about 2026 World Cup Betting
What to know before you start your Football World Cup betting 2026
If you want to get the most out of your Football World Cup betting 2026, one of the main things you need to keep an eye on is the odds, as they determine exactly how much you can win.
Comparing World Cup odds across different bookies is the absolute best way to ensure you're getting the maximum possible return on your wager. Because of this, we highly recommend staying sharp and keeping track of how the odds shift throughout the 2026 tournament.
Before placing your bets, you can try our interactive World Cup simulator. You can predict the outcome of every match, see how the groups would unfold, and discover which team would lift the trophy based on your predictions.
World Cup 2026 Betting Offers and Promotions
Bookies in Ireland usually offer everything from welcome bonuses to special promotions for individual events. Keep a sharp eye out for 2026 World Cup bonuses to help you get the most bang for your buck, picking up risk-free bets, free bets, cashback, and more.
Check out our 2026 World Cup betting tips
Every single match at the 2026 World Cup is bound to be packed with drama, and we’ll have expert betting tips ready for all 104 games.
Make sure to check out our World Cup predictions section every day to get the best insights and breakdown for every match of the tournament.
Where to watch the 2026 World Cup
Ireland may have missed out on qualification after falling short in the play-offs, but World Cup fever is still running high across the country. You won’t miss a single minute of the action, as RTÉ has secured the broadcasting rights to show all 104 matches of the tournament live.
Favourites for the 2026 World Cup
Here we’ll show you the safest and most rewarding bookmakers for the 2026 World Cup in Ireland. We’ve checked that they hold an Irish licence, which means they’re legal. Trust us, you can bet with them without a worry. Take a look at them below.
| Bookmaker | World Cup Advantages |
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Spain also features in our top picks as a very strong side with a good chance of reaching the final.
With so many players to choose from, the decision seems complex, but it really comes down to powerful strikers such as Mbappé, Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Messi, Harry Kane and Julián Álvarez, who are dominating the top five European leagues and are most likely to tear their opponents’ defences apart with their goals.
How to place a bet on the 2026 World Cup? Step by step
- Choosing a bookmaker: check our rankings and choose the Irish-licensed bookmaker you like best.
- Registration: go to the website of the bookmaker you’ve chosen and register with your personal details and contact information.
- Make your first deposit: go to the online cashier and select your preferred deposit method to make your first deposit; this could be Revolut, a debit card or any other option.
- Place your bet: find the 2026 World Cup match of your choice, select the market and odds, then confirm your bet and finally wait for the match to finish to receive your winnings.
Enjoy World Cup betting responsibly
⚽Stay in control, bet within your limits and get support at BeGambleAware.org & Safe Play Ireland.
2026 World Cup Format
Up until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the FIFA World Cup format featured 32 teams and 64 matches. But that is now a thing of the past. From now on, 48 teams will take part, with a total of 104 matches, following the official approval of the tournament’s expansion in 2017 and 2023.
This is good news for those of us who want to make the most of betting on the 2026 World Cup, as more matches mean more opportunities to win money from our bets. Here’s how it works: the group stage now consists of 12 groups of four teams each, from which only the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progress directly. Then come the round of 32, the knockout stage where there are no second chances; any team that loses is immediately eliminated from the tournament. The most intense phase of the tournament comprises the round of 16, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. The teams that make it through these stages advance to the Grand Final and will have the chance to become World Champions.
| Phase | Teams | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 48 teams (12 groups of 4). | Top 2 + 8 best third-placed teams advance. |
| Round of 32 | 32 teams. | The knockout stage begins. |
| Round of 16 to Final | 16 to 2 teams. | Do or die. |
| Total Matches | 104 matches. | Highest number of matches in a FIFA tournament. |
Hosts and Venues
The United States, Mexico and Canada are the three hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This means that the matches will be played in these countries. But the United States will host the lion’s share, with 78 matches to be precise. Mexico and Canada will each host 13 matches.
The opening match will be played in Mexico City, at the Estadio Azteca. It will be contested by Mexico and South Africa on 11 June. The 2026 World Cup Final will be played in the United States, specifically at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. The remaining group stage and knockout matches will be played in 16 tourist cities across the three countries, including Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico, Houston, Miami and Dallas in the United States, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. In the table below, we provide further details on the total number of venues and cities that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in each country. Take a look!
| Country | Host Cities | Opening / Final Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3 cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey). | Azteca Stadium (Opening Match). |
| USA | 11 cities (Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Miami, NY/NJ, etc.). | MetLife Stadium (Super Bowl). |
| Canada | 2 cities (Toronto and Vancouver). | BC Place / BMO Field. |
Frequently Asked Questions about 2026 World Cup Betting
Is it legal to bet on the 2026 World Cup from Ireland?
Yes, of course it is legal to bet on the 2026 World Cup from Ireland, but only with bookmakers that hold an Irish licence, such as those listed in our ranking.
Which bookmaker offers the best World Cup odds?
1xbet is the bookmaker offering the highest odds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Ireland.
How do "best 3rd place" bets work in the group stage?
This bet allows you to bet on one of the top 8 third-placed teams from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. For example, if you bet that Uruguay will qualify for the round of 16 as one of the top 8 third-placed teams and they do so, you win.
Can I bet live on World Cup matches from my mobile?
Yes, you can bet live on the World Cup via the bookmaker’s app or the mobile browser on your Android or iOS device.
What happens to my bet if a World Cup match goes to extra time?
It depends on the market and the bookmaker’s rules. If you bet on the match winner, the bet may cover what happens in extra time; if it’s a 1X2 bet, it may cover only the result of the 90 minutes of regular time.
Who is the favourite to win the 2026 World Cup according to the odds?
Irish betting odds suggest that Spain is the tournament favourite and the top contender to become World Champions.
What are the safest payment methods for betting in Ireland?
Revolut, Visa/Mastercard credit cards, Revolut, Trustly, Paysafecard and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill and Neteller.
Which bookmaker offers the best value for the 2026 World Cup?
BetVictor stands out as the top-value choice for your World Cup punting. Alongside market-leading odds, they cover every single tournament match with both 1-Up and 2-Up Early Payouts, custom Bet Builders, unique special markets, and daily odds boosts.
What is the most popular betting app for the 2026 World Cup in Ireland?
QuinnBet is the definitive favourite for Irish fans looking to bet on the World Cup. The app boasts an incredible lineup of promotions—such as Acca Boosts, Early Payouts, and "No Goal Dread" bore-draw insurance—paired with over 220 different betting markets per match.
