The 2026 World Cup begins today with Mexico vs. South Africa at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, followed by South Korea vs. Czechia at 10 p.m. ET on FS1. With the biggest soccer tournament in the world, many people are wondering how to bet on the 2026 World Cup. Right now, you can do so in sports betting states.
If you want to understand how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, you need to start with state legality and location rules. The best soccer betting sites, including Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet, operate under strict regulations and use geolocation tools to enforce compliance.
| Soccer Sportsbooks | World Cup Betting Promos | Sign-Up Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fanatics Sportsbook | $1,000 Bet Match | ACTION |
| BetMGM | $1,550 in Bonuses | ACTION1550 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | $200 Bet-and-Get Promo | Click Here |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed Over Seven Days | Click Here |
| bet365 | $365 Bet-and-Get Promo | Click Here |
| Hard Rock Bet | $150 Bet-and-Get Promo | Click Here |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1+, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens Instantly | ACTION4DYW |
| theScore Bet | $1,000 First Bet Reset | ACTNEWS |
Legal Sports Betting States (Online)
Sports betting is legal for online use in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
If your state is not listed above, online sports betting is not currently available, and you cannot access regulated sportsbooks.
World Cup Host States and Betting Alternatives
Several World Cup host states include California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
However, not all of these states currently allow online sports betting. If you are in a host state without legal online wagering, you cannot use regulated sportsbooks to bet on World Cup matches, even if you are attending games in person.
In these locations, many users turn to alternative platforms to stay engaged.
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket give users an alternative way to engage with World Cup outcomes through event-based trading. These platforms are often considered among the best prediction markets for World Cup 2026 because they allow users to take positions on match and tournament outcomes without using traditional sportsbooks.
If you are learning how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, these alternatives offer options in World Cup host states where traditional sportsbook access is not available.
Betting Options in States Without Legal Sports Betting
If your state doesn't allow online sports betting, you cannot use regulated sportsbooks to place World Cup wagers. However, you can still participate in alternative markets.
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi operate as event-trading platforms where users take positions on outcomes rather than placing traditional sportsbook bets. Unlike regulated sportsbooks, these platforms don't offer standard betting lines or match wagering markets.
You can also use daily fantasy sports platforms such as Underdog, which focus on player performance contests instead of match betting.
If you are learning how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, these options provide alternatives in non-legal betting states, but they don't replace regulated sportsbooks in legal jurisdictions.
Can International Visitors Bet on the World Cup in the U.S.?
International visitors face significant restrictions when it comes to betting on the World Cup in the United States. In most cases, online sportsbooks don't allow short-term tourists to register or place wagers.
Operators such as Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet require strict identity verification, including a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and a U.S. residential address. Most international visitors cannot meet these requirements.
Sportsbooks also block duplicate or offshore accounts, meaning you cannot use an international sportsbook account while physically located in the U.S. In limited cases, some retail sportsbooks in states like New Jersey or Pennsylvania may accept in-person wagers with a valid passport, but tax reporting rules may apply to winnings.
Because of these restrictions, most international visitors won't be able to use U.S. sportsbook apps during the tournament. If you are learning how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, you likely need to rely on alternative ways to stay engaged.
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Do You Need To Live in a Legal Sports Betting State?
You don't need to live in a legal sports betting state to place wagers. You only need to be physically present in a state where online betting is legal.
Sportsbooks such as Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, Hard Rock Bet, and theScore Bet use geolocation tools to confirm your location before allowing bets.
When you search how to bet on the 2026 World Cup, remember that residency doesn't matter. Physical location determines eligibility.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Bet on the World Cup?
You must be at least 21 years old in most U.S. states to place sports bets. All major sportsbooks require identity verification before you can deposit or wager.
Platforms like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM enforce strict age verification during account setup.
You cannot access soccer sportsbooks or place bets without completing verification.
How To Place a World Cup Bet Online
You can follow a simple process when learning how to bet on the 2026 World Cup.
First, choose a licensed sportsbook such as Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet.
Next, create an account and complete verification. Then deposit funds and browse available soccer odds across pre-match and live markets.
You can also compare World Cup betting promos, soccer betting promotions, and soccer betting offers before placing your first wager. These promos often include bonus bets, boosted odds, or first bet offers tied to tournament markets.
Once you fund your account, select your market, review the soccer odds, and place your bet directly in the sportsbook app.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to bet on the 2026 World Cup starts with knowing your state’s rules and choosing a licensed sportsbook. You can legally bet in many U.S. states, but international visitors face strict limitations when trying to access sportsbook apps.
Top sportsbooks like Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet give you access to competitive soccer odds, strong promotions, and a wide range of World Cup betting markets.
