The 2022 FIFA World Cup betting odds are taking shape well in advance of the November kickoff in Qatar. Oddsmakers calculate soccer betting odds based on each team’s performances leading into the World Cup.
The World Cup is staged every four years. Germany was tapped as a +350 (7-2) favorite by sports betting apps for the last quadrennial event in 2018 when several different venues in Russia played host to the World Cup. France, which entered the tournament with betting odds of +600 (6-1), came away with the 2018 World Cup title by beating Croatia, 4-2 in the championship game.
Current 2022 World Cup Betting Odds
Brazil is a +450 favorite to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Here are the top-10 betting favorites for the 2022 World Cup as of this writing at DraftKings:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brazil | +450 |
| France | +600 |
| England | +600 |
| Spain | +750 |
| Argentina | +750 |
| Germany | +1000 |
| Netherlands | +1200 |
| Portugal | +1200 |
| Belgium | +1200 |
| Denmark | +2500 |
France, which will look to defend its World Cup championship, is again listed at +600 futures odds to win the tournament. This means a $100 bet on France would return $600 on a winning ticket. You’d also get your initial $100 stake back in return, collecting $700 if France repeats as World Cup champions in 2022.
Where Can I Bet On The 2022 World Cup Online?
The best options for betting on the World Cup are BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet. They all offer competitive odds and top-performing sports betting apps.
DraftKings Sportsbook
- Why we like it: Best overall betting experience
- Current promotion: Free $50 bet with $5 minimum deposit or 20% matching sign-up bonus up to $1,000
- Favorite & Odds to win 2022 World Cup: Brazil (+450)
BetMGM
- Why we like it: Highest rated app
- Current promotion: $1,000 risk-free bonus
- Favorite & Odds to win 2022 World Cup: Brazil (+500)
Caesars Sportsbook
- Why we like it: Sign-up bonus and ongoing promotions
- Current promotion: $1,100 first-bet insurance
- Favorite & Odds to win 2022 World Cup: Brazil (+450)
FanDuel Sportsbook
- Why we like it: Best for iOS & Android app
- Current promotion: $1,000 risk-free bet for new customers
- Favorite & Odds to win 2022 World Cup: Brazil (+500)
PointsBet Sportsbook
- Why we like it: Competitive odds and a wide selection of bets
- Current promotion: Up to two $2,000 risk-free bets for new accounts
- Favorite & Odds to win 2022 World Cup: Brazil (+500)
How World Cup Odds Are Calculated
Let’s use the 2018 World Cup championship game to explain how odds are calculated and what bets won in France vs. Croatia.
| Team | Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|
| France | -110 | O 2 (-165) |
| Croatia | +360 | U 2 (-125) |
The draw for the example is +230. This was the betting line for the 2018 World Cup championship match in regulation time, which consists of 90 minutes of play and extra time added for injuries. France was the betting favorite at standard -110 odds, meaning you would have had to bet $110 to win $100. A $100 bet on Croatia would have paid out $360 if the underdog had won.
We know that was not the case as France prevailed by a score of 4-2. In addition to France winning, the game went way over the total of two goals. This is the combined total of goals scored by both teams. A $165 bet on the over paid out $100 and you also would have received your initial $165 stake back.
The total for the game involves the combined number of goals scored by each team in 90 minutes of regulation time. This is important to note when it comes to soccer, particularly in a World Cup championship match. Teams will play two 15-minute overtime sessions if the game is tied after regulation. If it remains tied, penalty kicks will decide the match.
There are also odds offered on the winner regardless of how the game unfolds. France was -220 and Croatia +180 on the moneyline just to raise the World Cup no matter what. World Cup odds are based on the performance of the teams and their relative strengths and weaknesses. Injuries can affect these odds, as can players being ineligible for a game due to too many yellow and/or red cards (penalties in previous matches).
Different Types of Bets You Can Make On The World Cup
We’ve already covered spread, moneyline, total, and futures bets, but there are other fun ways to have action on the World Cup.
Parlay Bets
Parlays feature multiple bets (or legs) in a single wager that can increase your amount of winnings. Let’s say you like both France and Germany to win their respective games in the opening round of the 2022 World Cup. If you bet $100 on France and Germany in a two-team parlay (at standard -110 odds for both games), you’ll cash a winning ticket of $260 if both teams do in fact win.
Parlay odds increase with each leg you add to the wager. A $100 bet on a successful three-team parlay pays $600, and a winning four-team parlay returns $1,100. Take advantage of Gaming Today’s free parlay calculator. It will show you the implied probability of winning your parlay, odds, and the potential payout.
Prop Bets
Prop bets are also plentiful when it comes to World Cup betting. Prop bets are not directly tied to the outcome of a game or tournament. There are individual prop bets on players to score a goal, for example. There are team prop bets on the number of yellow cards or corner kicks a team will have in a match.
You can also bet on the winner of the Golden Ball (MVP) and Golden Boot (Leading Scorer) at the end of the World Cup. In 2018, Croatia’s Luka Modric took home the Golden Ball award despite his team’s 4-2 loss to France in the championship match. England’s Harry Kane captured the Golden Boot award with a tournament-high six goals in the 2018 World Cup.
Live In-Game Betting On The World Cup
Technology gives sportsbooks the ability to update odds on a real-time basis. After a game is in progress, that is when live or in-game bets can be made. These odds are fluid over the course of a 90-minute game, to say nothing of one that goes to two 15-minute overtime sessions and penalty kicks. You’ll find constantly updated odds for the spread, moneyline, total, and more.
Betting odds will be adjusted based on how the game unfolds along with the volume of in-game bets coming in on each side. It’s important to note here that oddsmakers always try to limit the potential liability for their sportsbook.
Where Can I Bet On The 2022 World Cup In Las Vegas?
Anywhere, literally. Mobile sports betting is legal in the state and you can use the BetMGM sports betting app to wager in Nevada. If you’re old school and want to visit an actual sportsbook in Las Vegas, check out the Westgate SuperBook or Circa Sportsbook. However, the most convenient option is to register for a new account with BetMGM. You don’t need to be a resident of Nevada; you just need to be at least 21 years old and be within the state to make World Cup bets.
Strategies For Successful World Cup Betting
Knowledge is power with any type of sports betting. Research the top contending teams heading into the World Cup. Look at their recent form (results) and understand the relative strengths and weaknesses relative to other teams, especially in their own group. What style of football does the team play? Are they aggressive offensively, or perhaps prefer a more methodical approach to the game? Goaltenders are also important in the World Cup as games can sometimes come down to penalty kicks to be decided.
World Cup Betting Odds 2022 FAQs
Yes. Online sportsbooks such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet are licensed operators in several states across the US. We recommend all of them as top options for betting on the World Cup. The strength of their sports betting apps relative to other options on the market put them in a class by themselves.
Yes. Betting with a licensed sportsbook that is overseen by a state gaming commission is 100% safe. These include BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and Caesars. The only way you’re vulnerable online is by using illegal (offshore) sportsbooks because they operate in a gray market. They don’t answer to any regulatory or oversight body. With a licensed sportsbook, you can file a dispute with your state gaming commission if a dispute arises. They ensure fair business practices and prompt payouts.
Yes. The best live-betting sports platforms can be found at well-established sportsbooks such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet. The speed of these sports betting apps helps provide an enjoyable live-betting experience. Other apps on the market can tend to lag, which makes in-game betting very problematic given its fast-paced nature.
The 2022 World Cup will be held November 21-December 17. Qatar is serving as the host country for the quadrennial event this year. Multiple stadiums throughout Qatar will stage 2022 World Cup matches. This marks the first time in World Cup history that a tournament will be played in the Middle East.
There are so many different prop bets to make on the World Cup. It’s safe to say that there is something for everyone. Individual player props are available on the number of goals and shots a player will have during a game. Tournament props involve futures odds on the winner of the Golden Ball award (MVP) and Golden Boot award (highest scorer). You can even bet on the number of corner kicks or yellow cards a team will have in a game.
Brazil is a consensus betting favorite at BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet. Always shop around for the best odds on your World Cup bets. BetMGM, FanDuel, and PointsBet had the best odds on Brazil at +500 as of this writing.
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