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

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in 16 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026. This will be the first time that the tournament will be hosted by three nations, and the first time it will feature 48 teams.

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.

Which countries are favorites for the FIFA World Cup?

As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, all eyes are on the top contenders aiming to lift the trophy next summer. Defending champions Argentina remain among the favorites, but they’re far from alone in the race.

Powerhouses like Spain, England, Brazil and France have all assembled formidable squads and navigated qualifying with confidence. From new managerial appointments to breakout stars, each nation brings its own narrative to the biggest stage in world football. The countries most favored to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Cloudbet:

1. Spain: La Roja look primed for a deep run after a stellar Euro 2024 campaign. With rising stars like Lamine Yamal and Pedri leading the charge, and Mikel Merino and Oyarzabal firing in qualifying, Spain's goal-scoring woes seem behind them. A favourable group featuring Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay boosts their chances. While concerns over Yamal’s burnout and the lack of a classic No.9 remain, Spain's confidence is sky-high heading into 2026.
2. England: After Southgate’s near-misses, England are now led by Thomas Tuchel, whose ruthlessly efficient squad cruised through qualifying without conceding any goals. The Three Lions boast unmatched squad depth and a favourable group featuring Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Jude Bellingham remains under pressure, but Tuchel’s selection discipline gives England real belief. With Harry Kane still at the peak of his powers, this could be the tournament where it finally comes home.
3. Argentina: Lionel Messi’s participation remains uncertain, but Argentina no longer rely solely on their talisman. Lionel Scaloni’s side beat Brazil without him and sealed qualification early, giving space for young talents like Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono to shine. With Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez leading the line, the defending champions won’t lack firepower. Drawn with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, Argentina are well-positioned to defend their title, especially if Messi plays, bringing unmatched leadership and belief.
4. Brazil: The Brazilians enter 2026 with questions despite a talent-packed squad. Carlo Ancelotti’s late appointment as head coach leaves little prep time, but his existing chemistry with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo offers promise. Chelsea’s Estevao is emerging fast, while Casemiro is resurgent in midfield. Still, Brazil’s lack of form and cohesion lingers, especially up front. Group games against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland may offer momentum, but unless a main striker emerges, another quarter-final exit - potentially against England - looms large.
5. France: Head coach Didier Deschamps defied expectations once again, guiding France to a thrilling Nations League semi-final after a dull Euro 2024. With Kylian Mbappe back in form and breakout performances from Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, Les Bleus look revived. However, a tricky group that includes Senegal and Norway awaits. France impressed in qualifying, but critics still question Deschamps’ conservative style. If they advance, a quarter-final clash with Germany could follow.

These countries are the ones to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bet on their success 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?

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