World Cup 2022

Soccer World Cup 2022 Betting Explained

The World Cup comes round every four years and it’s an event, and a betting event like no other. With the last World Cup taking place in Russia in 2018, very few states had legalized sports betting, so the majority of soccer fans in the US will have access to thousands of World Cup betting markets for the first time. Thankfully, here at Pickswise our soccer handicappers are on hand to guide you through it all with expert betting analysis, advice and our 2022 World Cup Picks, Predictions and Best Bets throughout. Check out everything below to find out how you can bet on the 2022 World Cup. 

World Cup Betting Online

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting, meaning for the majority of Americans the 2022 World Cup will be the first time you can legally bet on Soccer’s biggest tournament. With all eyes around the world on the action throughout November and December, online sportsbooks will have hundreds of World Cup betting markets and odds on every game, as well as a whole host of World Cup Props, and Futures markets. Check out below for all the information you need to know on World Cup betting online.

Types of World Cup Soccer Bet

There are many ways to bet on the World Cup soccer action both pre-tournament, during the tournament and even live during a game itself. Check out below for the low down on everything you need to know about the ways you can bet on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Money Line Betting

The simplest form of sports betting, regardless of the sport itself, is money line betting. The money line is simply betting on which team you think will win the match. The nuances with soccer, and the money line, is that during the group stages it will be a three-way market, with the draw also an option, and during the knockout stages, only the 90 minutes of the match count towards a money line play. If the match is all tied at full time, extra time and penalties will ensue, but the money line will result in a tie. 

Goal Line Spread Betting

The goal line in soccer and at the World Cup is just like the Run Line in MLB or Puck Line in NHL, you’re either betting on a team to win by more than a certain number of goals, or a team to not lose by a certain number of goals. The goal lines will stay the same, usually set at +/- 0.5, +/- 1.5 or +/- 2.5 goals for each game, and the odds will change depending on the probability of a team covering that spread. 

Over/Under Goal Totals Betting

The World Cup over/under totals betting is again, very similar to any other sport you may be more accustomed to betting on. Though in soccer, there often aren’t as many goals as you may see runs in baseball or goals in hockey. The typical over/under lines will be set at 2.5, but you can bet alternate lines such as 3.5, or 1.5 with most sportsbooks. And the odds will different from match to match and line to line depending on the probability of the outcome set by oddsmakers. 

World Cup Futures Betting

Outright Winner Betting

The most popular of all the futures markets, unsurprisingly, is the outright winner of the tournament. You can bet on this market before and during the tournament, right up until the final itself. Heading into the tournament it’s Brazil that heads the betting with odds of +400.

To Reach Semi-Finals Betting

To Reach Semi-Finals Betting is along the same lines as the outright winner. Here as the name suggests, you’re betting on a team to make the Semi-Final, so you’ll have four winners, and is an interesting market to try and forecast who will make it to the latter stage, without having to win the entire tournament. 

To Reach Quarter-Finals Betting

Similarly again to the Semi-Finals market, is the To Reach Quarter-Finals Betting market. Here you’re betting a team to make the quarter-finals, which means advancing through the group stage and winning their Round of 16 match. The odds for favorites come with plenty of juice here, but it’s a great market for a team that may outperform expectations without necessarily advancing to the latter stages of the tournament. 

Group Winners Betting 

You can also bet on teams to win the Group. With eight groups in total, there are 8 markets you can bet on here, and some bettors will even look to parlay the outcomes of multiple groups at bigger odds. 

Golden Boot – To Score Most Goals Winner Betting

The most popular type of player future, which is similar to a World Cup Player Prop, is the Golden Boot Award winner. The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals throughout the entire tournament, so you want a player on a team that could go far for those extra knockout games and goal opportunities. In 2022 it is England’s Harry Kane that is the favorite with odds of +700 heading into the tournament. With the likes of Mbappe, Benzema, Messi and Ronaldo with the next best odds. 

Golden Glove Winner Betting 

Less popular than the Golden Boot winner, is the Golden Glove winner. As you’d expect by the name, this is awarded to the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Similarly, this typically goes to a goalkeeper who reaches the latter stages of the tournament with his nation, so be sure to factor this in. 

Best Young Player Winner Betting

The Best Young Player winner is a fascinating market to get your teeth into at any given World Cup. The award is given to the best player in the tournament who is at most 21 years old, and has been won by some of the soccer greatest ever players like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, and more recently Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba. USMNT hero Landon Donovan always won the award in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea. Brenden Aaronson in 2022?

Previous Soccer World Cup Winners

• Russia 2018 Winner: France
• Brazil 2014 Winner: Germany
• South Africa 2010 Winner: Spain
• Germany 2006 Winner: Italy 
• Japan 2002 Winner: Brazil
• France 1998 Winner: France
• United States 1994 Winner: Brazil
• Italy 1990 Winner: Germany
• Mexico 1986 Winner: Argentina