Bet on FIFA World Cup 2026 with bitcoin & crypto at Cloudbet

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway across 16 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is the first time the tournament has been hosted by three nations, and the first to feature an expanded 48-team field playing across 104 matches.

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is the premier international football tournament for men's national teams, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). First held in 1930 in Uruguay, the tournament was conceived to crown the world's best footballing nation. Since its inception, the World Cup has been held every four years (except during World War II) and has grown into the most-watched sporting event on the planet.

Over time, the tournament has showcased the rise of football powerhouses and historic dynasties. Brazil leads the way with five titles, followed by Germany and Italy with four each. Argentina, the reigning champion, has won three titles, including a dramatic victory in 2022. Notable achievements include Germany's record number of appearances in semi-finals and Brazil's unmatched consistency and flair.

The World Cup has not only served as a sporting spectacle but also a global cultural event, uniting fans from all continents in a celebration of national pride and football excellence. Its history is filled with legendary players, from Pelé and Maradona to Zidane and Messi, who have defined generations and inspired millions.

As the tournament evolved, it expanded from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 teams in recent editions, reflecting the global growth of the sport. The 2026 edition marks a major milestone as the World Cup grows to 48 teams, underscoring FIFA's commitment to inclusion and global representation.

Background and history to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were awarded to the United Bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States, who defeated Morocco's solo bid during a vote held at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow on June 13, 2018.

The United Bid secured a strong majority of votes, easily surpassing Morocco's. Iran cast a vote for "none of the bids," while three countries abstained, and Ghana was barred from voting due to suspension.

Co-hosting was previously banned after the 2002 edition but was reinstated by FIFA ahead of 2026. Each of the three countries had initially considered bidding independently, but they united to strengthen their proposal. Their collective infrastructure, existing stadiums, and commercial appeal made a compelling case.

FIFA had previously ruled out bids from Europe and Asia, as those continents had hosted the two prior World Cups (Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022). That left North America, Africa, South America, and Oceania eligible. Ultimately, the technical strength and financial assurances of the United Bid proved decisive.

This win marked a historic third time hosting for Mexico and a second for the U.S., while Canada will debut as a men's World Cup host. The road to 2026 reflects not only a sporting milestone but also FIFA's strategy to expand football's global footprint through broader regional collaboration.

Betting on the FIFA World Cup: favorites and outrights

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its knockout rounds, where every match is win-or-go-home and the field narrows toward the final in New York/New Jersey on July 19. Defending champions Argentina, who lifted the trophy in 2022, arrived among the contenders, alongside traditional powerhouses such as Spain, England, Brazil, France and Germany.

Outright favorites shift quickly once the knockout stage begins, so the smartest way to read the race is to follow the live prices. The teams most favored to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Cloudbet, are shown on the outrights tab and updated as results come in.

At a tournament like this, outright betting works on a few core markets:

1. Tournament winner: Back a nation to go all the way and be crowned world champions.
2. To reach the final: Wager on a team making the showpiece match, often at longer odds than the outright.
3. Top goalscorer (Golden Boot): Bet on the tournament's leading scorer across the whole competition.
4. Stage of elimination: Predict how far a given nation will progress through the knockout rounds.

Check the live outrights markets for the latest prices, and back your picks with bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies at Cloudbet.

How to bet on FIFA World Cup 2026 with bitcoin

Betting with crypto is easy at Cloudbet, especially when we offer the most competitive odds among top sportsbooks. Bet on the FIFA World Cup in 2026 with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and more, along with stablecoins like USDT and USDC.

Just follow these steps:

1. Sign into your Cloudbet account and fund your wallet with BTC (or any of the 30+ cryptocurrencies we support on the platform.)
2. Head over to our ‘Sports' page: The page covers ongoing and upcoming sports events in various countries. Find the soccer section. You'll find the 2026 FIFA World Cup under international competitions.
3. Research teams, players, trends, and available bet types before placing a bet. Cloudbet also offers insights on bets placed on select games from the sidebar of your chosen FIFA World Cup 2026 event.
4. Place your bitcoin bets and watch the action unfold!

Why bet on World Cup soccer with bitcoin and crypto?

There are many reasons why sports fans should bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with bitcoin and crypto at Cloudbet:

1. Privacy and security: Betting on soccer with bitcoin and crypto offers enhanced privacy and security. Cryptocurrency transactions provide a layer of anonymity, allowing users to enjoy their betting activities without sharing sensitive personal information.
2. Fast and efficient transactions: Cryptocurrencies offer fast and efficient transaction processing. Deposits and withdrawals can be completed on Cloudbet within minutes, allowing football fans to quickly fund their accounts or collect their winnings.
3. Transparency: Crypto users can see where their funds go on blockchain networks.
4. Global accessibility: Bitcoin betting at Cloudbet opens up betting opportunities to a global audience. Regardless of geographical location, soccer fans can easily access Cloudbet's platform and place bets on their favorite teams and players. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies removes barriers, making it convenient for fans from all over the world to participate in FIFA World Cup betting.
5. Competitive odds and betting options: Cloudbet offers competitive odds and a wide range of betting options for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. You'll find a variety of markets to choose from. Cloudbet's comprehensive sportsbook ensures that sports fans have ample opportunities to place their desired bets and maximize their potential returns.
6. 24/7 access: The bitcoin network never sleeps, so you can bet anytime. Plus, Cloudbet offers 24/7 multilingual support through Live Chat.

First-time depositors trigger the Welcome Package instantly. Over the following 30 days, World Cup bets and any other wagers earn 10% rakeback, with additional daily cash bonuses credited to your balance. A final Cash Vault reward completes the package — real money, no wagering requirements, up to $2,500 total.

High-stakes World Cup betting with Cloudbet's high roller program

For major World Cup action, the Cloudbet's VIP Club adds a personal layer to a sportsbook already built for scale. Cloudbet runs no-limit betting on top World Cup markets, while your VIP host negotiates custom limits based on how you bet the tournament.

Starting at Sapphire, your host can place priority withdrawal requests for your account and unlock in-person invitations to major sporting events. Milestone rewards are real cash in USDT or your preferred currency, and rakeback on every bet keeps running from the group stage to the final.