World Cup betting in Canada: Here’s what you need to know
Few sporting events attract as many trips to the bookies (either online or in person) as the FIFA World Cup. And that’s hardly surprising given that this prestigious soccer tournament attracts over 1.5 billion spectators around the world, eager to find out how far their national side can go in the playoffs.
Back here in Canada, World Cup betting is big business, with millions wagered on the event when it rolls around every four years. Want to be a part of it? Then join me as I share some top tips and guidance on how to bet on the FIFA World Cup as a Canadian sports bettor.
First things first – is
World Cup betting
legal in Canada?
New sportsbook users will be eager to find out if they can legally wager on World Cup fixtures here in Canada. The answer? Absolutely!
Yes, there are plenty of legal betting sites for World Cup wagering, with Canada’s approach to online sports betting allowing for lawful bets on all high-profile soccer fixtures. I should note that the rules do vary depending on the province you live in, so be sure to check local laws before signing up to enjoy the best legal
soccer betting in Canada.
How
World Cup betting
works
There are several different strategies you can adopt when using World Cup betting sites, and the one you choose will ultimately dictate how complex your preferred odds and bets will become. And since this is a knockout-style tournament with a long qualification period, there are many different ways to place your bets.
By far the easiest way to bet on the World Cup though, is to back a single team, say, Canada. You can place multiple different bets on the Canadian national team based on their performance at the World Cup, including an outright bet on them to win (let’s be honest, that would have incredible odds), your prediction of which round they’ll reach, or how many goals you think they’ll score in total.
Alternatively, you can take a mixed approach, spreading your bets across the whole tournament as different teams reach the playoffs and the later stages of the event. If you’re a serious soccer fan, this World Cup betting strategy provides the perfect way to flex your football knowledge and make knowledge-based predictions that could lead to some nice wins (fingers crossed).
What are the different types of World Cup bets?
I touched on the fact that there is a wide range of bets you can place on World Cup results on the best
betting apps in Canada. Well, now it’s time to take a closer look at all the different wagering options available as we speed towards the next FIFA World Cup.
| World Cup betting type | Good to know |
| Outright winner | One of the simplest and most popular types of World Cup bets; an outright winner is when you predict the team you believe will win the entire tournament. You can either stay loyal and back Canada (yikes) or opt for a favourite – think the likes of France, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Brazil or Spain. |
| Match winner | Match winner bets are a nice option if you’re looking to place multiple bets throughout the tournament, regardless of the national side you support. Essentially, you’ll need to predict who will win a specific game, regardless of the outcome of the wider tournament. |
| Futures | Since each World Cup tournament has a long qualification period lasting several years, most betting sites open their books early, allowing for futures bets on the teams you think will qualify and win in the World Cup Finals. Futures bets attract some nice odds, so finalising your betting slips early could be a smart move. |
| Handicaps | Let’s face it: if Canada comes up against a team like Argentina or France, they won’t be the odds-on favourite to win. This is where betting handicaps come in. Handicaps are a great leveller, ensuring a level playing field and requiring the superior favourite to score a set number of goals in order to win the bet. For example, in France vs Canada, a +3 handicap bet on France would require them to win by three goals or more. |
| Spreads | A spread World Cup bet is when you predict the total number of goals scored in a single game or across the entire tournament. You’ll need to choose ‘over’ or ‘under’ a specific amount of goals, as set by the bookmaker. |
| First to score | This World Cup betting type is pretty self-explanatory; correctly predict the first team or player to score and you’ll win your bet. |
| Correct score | Another very obvious betting type; correct score wagers fetch excellent odds since there’s a high probability that you’ll guess incorrectly. |
| Props | There are dozens of props bets available on World Cup fixtures, including ‘Golden Boot’ bets on the player likely to score the most goals; games that go to penalties; and the goalkeeper that makes the most saves throughout the tournament.
Basically, any wager that doesn’t relate directly to a match or tournament outcome falls into the props bet category. |
The pros and cons of
World Cup betting
- Take advantage of tons of betting opportunities and fantastic odds
- Excellent coverage on all major sportsbooks in Canada
- Easy to follow the action live, with free live streams and viewing available
- Lots of promotional offers and bonuses available exclusively for the World Cup
- Knockout stages offer a thrilling sportsbook gambling experience
- The popularity of betting on the World Cup can skew the odds
Some of our recommended bookies
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My top 3 tips for
World Cup betting
Like
NHL betting online, wagering on the World Cup in Canada is terrific good fun. Armed with my top tips below, you’ll be ready to jump on the bandwagon and place your bets.
Tip #1: Choose the best World Cup betting site
I can’t stress enough how important it is to choose the right bookmaker through which to place your World Cup bets. Not only do you need a site with quality WC odds, but you need to compare the bonuses on offer too, as most brands release a special promotion in time for the tournament.
Feast your eyes on the banners on this page for some of my best betting sites for World Cup wagering, along with some tasty sign-up deals you should know about.
Tip #2: Be wary of emotional loyalty
I get it: you want to back the Maple Leaf right to the bitter end. The problem is that betting with your heart and not your head is a surefire way to lose your World Cup bets. Instead, keep your support separate from your wagering selections to make informed decisions.
Tip #3: Research, research, research
A successful campaign of World Cup betting hinges on you having a near-expert knowledge of all the top teams, players, groups, and even managers. In the build-up to the tournament, take time to do as much research as you can, building a WC betting strategy that you can put into action when the tournament gets underway.
Betting for the World Cup: Are you ready?
The next World Cup may be two years away, but it’s never too early to start working on your World Cup sports betting strategy. As we’ve covered throughout this guide, the sheer scale of the tournament and its qualifying rounds means there are opportunities to make WC wagers even from the earliest stages, so be sure to sign up with a legal Canadian sportsbook at your earliest opportunity to take advantage of the best World Cup odds and betting markets.
Unsure which bookie to choose ahead of some World Cup betting? Take a peek at the brands featured in the banners on this page, all of which have been tried and tested by yours truly.
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World Cup betting
FAQs
? Is betting on the World Cup legal in Canada?
Absolutely – so long as you sign up and wager with a legal sportsbook that is regulated in your province.
? When is the next World Cup and when can I start placing bets?
The next FIFA World Cup is scheduled for 11 June 2026 and will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Bookmakers are already accepting bets on qualifying games, along with futures bets on the World Cup Finals.
????? What is the best site for World Cup bets in Canada?
Every sports betting site will accept bets on World Cup games, such is the popularity of this globally renowned tournament. Check out my guide for some recommendations on the best bookies for World Cup bets in Canada.
