Betting on the FIFA World Cup Online

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is the absolute summit of international football, happening every four years and put on by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). It brings together the best national teams from around the globe to battle it out for football's most coveted trophy. Billions of fans worldwide tune in, making it more than just a sports event – it's a cultural phenomenon that brings incredible excitement and opportunities for sports betting. The tournament lasts for over a month, featuring group stages followed by knockout rounds, and culminates in a thrilling final that declares the world champion. Due to its massive global appeal, the FIFA World Cup is a prime destination for betting enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of markets and competitive odds for punters across Canada and beyond.

Why is the FIFA World Cup Popular in Canada?

The FIFA World Cup is undeniably one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, drawing massive crowds and enormous viewership. For instance, the 2018 World Cup final between France and Croatia was watched by an average of 517 million viewers live, with peak viewership reaching up to 1.1 billion during the match. The tournament also dominates online sports betting platforms. So, what makes the FIFA World Cup so appealing to Canadian bettors?

Bettors enjoy betting on major sports tournaments, especially prestigious events like the World Cup. As soccer is the most popular sport globally and in Canada, it's no surprise that Canadian bettors are heavily involved in World Cup betting. When the tournament is on, the entire sports betting world shifts its focus to this competition.

The World Cup typically takes place when major domestic soccer leagues, like the Premier League, are on their off-season or pre-season. This leaves the World Cup as the primary competitive soccer event for bettors in Canada to focus on. The sheer competitiveness of the event, the high calibre of talent on display, and the immense passion Canadian fans have for their favourite teams make the FIFA World Cup one of the most popular sports for betting enthusiasts.

How to Bet on the FIFA World Cup in Canada

Betting on the FIFA World Cup can significantly enhance your engagement with the tournament, offering the thrill of potential winnings. With a vast array of betting markets available, understanding the fundamentals can boost your chances and overall enjoyment. At BettingRanker, we are committed to reviewing top safe betting sites to ensure a smooth betting experience for Canadians. Here's how to bet effectively on the FIFA World Cup:

• Find a Reliable Bookmaker
  : Select a licensed sports betting site that offers extensive World Cup markets, competitive odds, and attractive soccer betting bonuses tailored for Canadian players. Make sure the platform supports convenient deposit and withdrawal methods available in Canada.
• Analyze the Teams
  : Get to know the teams competing in the tournament. Evaluate their strengths, recent performance, key players, and relevant head-to-head statistics to make informed betting decisions.
• Research Expert Predictions: For those less familiar with soccer, consulting predictions and tips from experienced punters can provide valuable insights.
• Avoid Betting Blindly: Make well-researched decisions instead of relying purely on chance. Analyzing data increases your chances of winning.
• Stay Updated: Keep track of World Cup fixtures, schedules, and major developments to spot opportunities for strategic betting.

The next FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the World Cup is held across three countries.

FIFA World Cup Format

The road to the World Cup starts with qualifications held in the 6 FIFA confederations - Africa, North and Central America and Caribbean, Asia, South America, Oceania, and Europe. Each confederation oversees the qualifications, while FIFA decides the number of spots each confederation gets based on the strength of the teams in the confederations.

Qualifications start as early as 3 years before the event and spread over 2 years. Qualification formats vary depending on the confederation. As it stands, the host country gets automatic qualification.

The FIFA World Cup has traditionally featured 32 teams, a format in place from 1998 through 2022. However, starting with the 2026 tournament, the competition will expand to include 48 national teams. This expansion aims to provide greater representation across different regions and enhance the global reach of the tournament.

Group stages

In the group stages, there are 12 groups, each with 4 teams that battle it out in a round-robin championship where each team plays the other 3 teams in the group. A team gets 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. After the 3 matches are played, the number 1 and 2 teams advance to the knockout stage, as well as the 8 best third-placed teams across all groups.

Knockout stages

The FIFA World Cup knockout stage is a single-elimination tournament where teams face off in one-off matches. The knockout stage starts with the round of 16 before advancing to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finally culminating in the finals. For the record, teams that lost in the semi-finals battle it out for third place on the eve of the finals.