The World Cup is one of the most significant events in the world of sports, drawing millions of fans and bettors from around the globe. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start preparing your betting strategy to increase your chances of success.
It had already been announced that FIFA was analyzing various proposals to change the World Cup format and make it more attractive to fans and, of course, more lucrative for the federation.
This week the FIFA Council is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, during which the motion for the format change will be approved.
The changes will come into force from the 2026 World Cup, which will be the first to have 48 teams and 104 games for 39 days.
Of all the proposals that were on the table, the one chosen is the one that presented the most radical change in the number of matches and in the duration of the event. Therefore the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be played in a format of 12 groups of 4 teams. Being the first World Cup in history in three countries with such large extensions of territory, FIFA is studying making ‘zones’ in which the different groups are played. This means that those who play on the East Coast will only do so in cities in this region, and the same goes for those who play on the West Coast.
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, commented on the qualified teams and showed his excitement for the 2026 Cup to take place in America in his recent visit to Guatemala during the Congress of the Central American Football Union ( UNCAF).
“Congratulations on the classification of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, who already qualified for this World Cup last week by decision of the FIFA Council; but in addition to those three, three more CONCACAF teams will qualify for sure, and possibly even five.”
“This next World Cup in North America is going to be the America World Cup; It is going to be the World Cup that will change the balance in football because we are going to focus our work on this part of the world,” said Infantino.
With the new format, the confederations that receive the most places are Africa, which gets four guaranteed places plus one intercontinental play-off place.
It is followed by Asia, which obtains four additional places. The European confederation receives an additional three, as does North America (taking into account the direct qualification of Mexico, the United States, and Canada), while South America wins three. Oceania, for its part, gets one more.
There is still a lot of debate about the possible excessive burden on players who manage to advance in the tournament, have to play all the games throughout the month, and then resume action with their respective clubs.
A party for gamblers
The 2026 World Cup will be action-packed, and with plenty of options for punters who enjoy soccer, it’s a good thing to start preparing your betting strategy now.
When it comes to betting on the World Cup, countless options are available, from traditional sportsbooks to online betting sites and everything in between.
One popular way to bet on the World Cup is by wagering on the qualifying rounds. These preliminary matches take place over several months leading up to the main event, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to get in on the action. Of course, with so many teams competing and a wide range of outcomes possible, choosing a good betting site can be crucial when it comes to placing successful bets.
Fortunately, there are plenty of reputable online sportsbooks that offer World Cup betting options.
VIP Sportsbook is a top-tier betting platform that offers a wide range of options for soccer enthusiasts. Whether you’re into the European leagues, World Cup, or qualifying matches, VIP Sportsbook has got you covered. As one of the leading sportsbooks in the industry, this platform provides an extensive list of betting markets that cater to all kinds of preferences.
For those who prefer traditional betting, VIP Sportsbook allows users to place bets on popular markets such as match outcomes and goalscorers. However, if you’re looking for something more exciting and challenging, then you’ll definitely love their in-play betting options. This feature allows users to place bets on live matches and adjust their wagers based on the game’s progression – making it ideal for strategic bettors who want to maximize their winnings.
Betting on the World Cup is a thrilling experience, but it requires a solid strategy to maximize your chances of success. By researching the teams and players, analyzing their performance and statistics, and considering external factors such as injuries and home field advantage, you can develop a sound betting strategy that will help you win big. With the 2026 World Cup just a few years away, now is the time to start preparing and get ahead of the game.