The 2026 World Cup will bring millions of soccer fans to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
During this historically unique tournament, 48 teams will compete across North America in the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged. As excitement builds around the biggest sporting event in the world, many visitors are asking the same question: Can I bet on the World Cup in the U.S.?
The short answer: probably not online— but access depends on where you are physically located.
Our Action Network guide explains how sports betting and prediction markets may work for international visitors traveling to the tournament, along with some of the alternatives available to global fans visiting the United States.
This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules, regulations, and platform policies may change before kickoff.
Can International Visitors Bet on the World Cup?
Probably not online.
Many legal sportsbooks may allow international visitors to access World Cup betting markets while physically located inside approved jurisdictions.
However, policies vary heavily between operators, states, and countries. Most sportsbooks require:
- Geolocation verification
- Identity checks
- Age verification
- Approved payment methods
While physical location matters more than citizenship when it comes to U.S. gambling legality, U.S. online sportsbooks require strict identity verification that tourists cannot complete.
However, international visitors from countries like England, France, or Argentina can legally access sports betting markets if they place their wagers in person at approved retail locations within specific U.S. states.
Can Tourists Bet In Person at Retail Sportsbooks?
Yes—and for almost all international visitors, retail sportsbooks will be the only option.
Because of strict online identity verification laws, placing bets in person at a retail sportsbook or casino is the most friction-free way for tourists to get action on the matches.
Visitors with a valid passport and cash can walk up to a betting window, kiosk, or retail betting counter to place wagers.
This is the ideal solution for soccer fans attending matches in states with legal retail betting (like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts) who want to avoid the impossible hurdle of creating an online account without a U.S. Social Security Number.
Which U.S. States Allow Sports Betting During the 2026 World Cup?
U.S. sports betting laws vary state-by-state. For international visitors, your physical location determines legality. Here is a breakdown of retail betting access in the states hosting 2026 World Cup matches:
| World Cup Host State | Host City / Stadium Area | Legal Retail Betting Available? |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | New York/NJ (MetLife Stadium) | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Boston (Gillette Stadium) | Yes |
| Florida | Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) | Yes (Hard Rock venues only) |
| Missouri | Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) | Yes |
| Washington | Seattle (Lumen Field) | Yes (Tribal Casinos only) |
| California | Los Angeles / SF Bay Area | No |
| Texas | Dallas / Houston | No |
| Georgia | Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) | No |
Visitors traveling for matches at venues such as MetLife Stadium may find access to retail sportsbooks nearby.
However, not every World Cup host area allows the same level of access. Some states restrict mobile betting, while others may limit certain betting markets entirely.
Because the legal landscape continues evolving ahead of the tournament, sports fans should always research local rules before creating an account or attempting to place wagers.
Note: While online betting is legal in several of these states, international visitors without a U.S. SSN will be restricted to retail (in-person) betting locations.
Which Sports May Accept International Visitors?
U.S.-regulated online sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars, operate as closed-access platforms.
- By law, they require users to pass strict Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification before placing a single wager.
- This verification process explicitly requires a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Therefore, international tourists visiting the U.S. will not be able to sign up for or use online sportsbooks, DFS apps, or prediction markets (like Kalshi or Polymarket) while traveling.
Do I Need a U.S. Address or SSN?
Yes, absolutely.
To legally place sports bets online in the United States, users must first create and verify an account with a licensed sportsbook.
During registration, sportsbooks mandate a U.S. residential address and a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) for tax reporting and regulatory compliance.
While some visitors might mistakenly try to enter a hotel address, the sportsbook's verification software will halt the process without a valid SSN, completely restricting online access.
If I Already Have a Sportsbook Account Overseas, Can I Use It in the U.S.?
No.
Due to strict licensing and real-time geolocation technology, international sportsbooks and betting apps used across Europe, South America, or Asia will be completely geo-blocked while you are physically inside the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
Attempting to use a VPN to bypass these blocks violates platform rules and will likely result in a frozen or banned account.
Can International Visitors Use Prediction Market Platforms?
No, the same online restrictions apply.
- Prediction markets, like Kalshi and Polymarket, operate differently from traditional sportsbooks, but they face similar regulatory hurdles.
- Kalshi requires strict U.S. identity verification, phone verification, and an SSN/tax compliance check, making it inaccessible to international tourists.
- Meanwhile, the international version of Polymarket strictly blocks anyone physically located inside the United States.
Because of this, visitors will discover that the prediction platforms they use overseas will be completely unavailable while traveling inside the U.S.
Can U.S. Citizens or Residents Bet in Canada and Mexico?
Potentially yes.
U.S. citizens and residents traveling to Canada or Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup may legally access sports betting options, depending on local laws and operator policies in the jurisdiction they are visiting.
However, there is an important distinction: most U.S.-regulated sportsbook apps rely on geolocation technology and may stop functioning once users leave approved U.S. states.
Betting in Canada
Canada has legal sports betting markets, though rules vary by province.
Some provinces operate government-run sportsbooks, while others — such as Ontario — allow regulated private operators to offer online sports betting.
American visitors may potentially access approved Canadian sportsbooks while traveling, though they may still need to create a separate account, complete identity verification, or use locally approved payment methods.
Betting in Mexico
Mexico also has legal sports betting through licensed operators and retail sportsbooks.
Visitors traveling to Mexico for World Cup matches may find both online and in-person betting options available.
However, platform access, registration requirements, and payment methods may differ from what U.S. bettors are used to.
Important Travel Considerations
Before attempting to place wagers internationally, U.S. travelers should remember:
- Sportsbook apps use real-time geolocation
- Operator availability changes by country and province
- VPN usage may violate platform rules
- Betting markets and promotions may differ internationally
- Withdrawal or tax policies may vary across jurisdictions
What Betting Markets Will Be Available During the Tournament?
The FIFA World Cup typically becomes one of the largest sports betting events in the world, with sportsbooks offering hundreds of World Cup betting markets across the entire tournament.
Popular betting markets may include:
- Match winner
- Draw outcome
- Correct score / exact final score
- Asian handicap
- Live betting
- Same game parlays
- World cup futures
- Outright winner markets
- Group winner betting
- Knockout stage markets
Most sportsbooks also offer betting markets focused on:
- Group stage matches
- Knockout rounds (Round of 32 matches, round of 16 matches)
- The final
Because teams often play cautiously during early rounds or group play, many bettors focus on draw risk and lower-scoring match outcomes during the beginning of the tournament.
World Cup Betting Strategy for International Visitors
Many beginners approach the FIFA World Cup differently than club soccer or domestic leagues because the tournament format creates unique betting conditions.
Some common World Cup betting strategy tips include:
- Comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks
- Avoiding emotional betting on your home country
- Managing bankroll carefully during a month-long tournament
- Researching teams before kickoff
The expanded format featuring 48 teams and third place teams advancing may also create unusual betting markets and futures markets during the group stage.
For example: defending champions like Argentina or France may open as heavy favorites, while one team gaining momentum during knockout matches may dramatically shift World Cup odds in real time.
Most sportsbooks price tournament winner and outright winner markets months before the competition begins.
Responsible Gambling During the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will likely generate massive betting activity across sportsbooks and prediction platforms worldwide.
Local and international visitors who decide to place bets during the tournament should always gamble responsibly, set a bankroll before betting, avoid chasing losses, and treat sports betting as entertainment rather than guaranteed profit.
Even experienced sports bettors can make mistakes during a major tournament. Some of the most common World Cup betting mistakes include:
- Overreacting to one game state or result
- Betting every match without proper research
- Ignoring draw risk in soccer betting
- Overvaluing famous national team brands
- Misunderstanding settlement rules
- And risking more money than you can afford to lose.
Because the World Cup lasts several weeks, managing budget and pacing becomes a major focal point for many bettors.
If gambling stops being fun or becomes difficult to control, help is available through problem gambling resources including 1-800-GAMBLER.
The Bottom Line
International visitors cannot easily bet online while traveling to the U.S. due to strict Social Security Number and identity verification requirements.
However, sports fans can fully participate in the action by visiting legal retail sportsbooks and betting kiosks located in key host states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Always verify local retail availability ahead of time to make the most of your World Cup experience.
