How to Bet on Soccer
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and one of the most exciting to bet on. From weekly league matches to the FIFA World Cup, this guide covers everything you need to know: the rules that make soccer unique, every bet type available on FanDuel, and how the world's biggest tournament works.
BET NOWWhat Makes Soccer Betting Different From Other Sports?
Two rules define soccer betting and set it apart from every other sport on FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Draw. Every soccer match has three possible outcomes: Home Win, Draw, or Away Win. A tie is always a valid result with its own separate odds. In closely matched games, the draw is often the single most likely outcome and pays at a premium. Never ignore it.
The 90-Minute Rule. All soccer bets settle on the result at 90 minutes of regulation time, including injury and stoppage time. Goals in extra time or penalty shootouts do not count unless the market states otherwise. See the full breakdown below.
What Is the 90-Minute Rule in Soccer Betting?
All soccer bets on FanDuel settle at the end of 90 minutes of regulation, including injury and stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included unless the market specifically states otherwise.
In knockout tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, if two teams are tied after 90 minutes they play 30 minutes of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still level. Any goals, corners, or other events in extra time do not count toward your regulation-time bet.
Example: A World Cup knockout match ends 1-1 after 90 minutes. Team A wins 2-1 in extra time. Your "Team A to Win" Moneyline bet loses — the correct result at 90 minutes was a Draw, and the winning goal was scored in extra time.
If you want to bet on who advances through the full tie including penalties, use the To Qualify For The Next Round market instead.
Which Team Is Home and Which Is Away in Soccer Betting?
The Home team is always listed first and the Away team is listed second on FanDuel. In most league matches this is straightforward. In the FIFA World Cup, there are no true home teams — even host nations can appear as the Away side depending on how FIFA lists the fixture. World Cup matchups are listed exactly as provided by FIFA.
Example: USA vs. Paraguay — USA is the Home team because they are listed first. Paraguay is the Away team because they are listed second, regardless of which stadium hosts the match.
What Is a Soccer Moneyline Bet (1X2)?
A soccer Moneyline — also called a 1X2 bet — gives you three outcomes to choose from on every match:
- 1 = Home team wins
- X = Match ends in a Draw
- 2 = Away team wins
All three are separate bets with their own odds. This is the most popular single-game bet in soccer.
Example: France vs. Argentina at the World Cup
- France to Win: -130 → Bet $130 to win $100
- Draw: +240 → Bet $100 to win $240
- Argentina to Win: +350 → Bet $100 to win $350
The 90-Minute Rule applies to all Moneyline bets. If a knockout match ends tied after 90 minutes, the correct Moneyline result is Draw, even if one team wins in extra time.
What Is a "To Qualify For The Next Round" Bet?
To Qualify For The Next Round is a soccer-specific market available for all Knockout Stage matches. You bet on which team advances — regardless of whether the match ends in regulation, extra time, or a penalty shootout.
This differs from the standard Moneyline, which settles at 90 minutes only. Use To Qualify when you want to back a team to win the full tie without being affected by the 90-Minute Rule.
Example: You back England To Qualify. The match ends 1-1 after 90 minutes, England win on penalties. Your bet wins. On a standard Moneyline, the correct result was a Draw and your bet would have lost.
What Is a Soccer Spread Bet (3-Way Asian Handicap)?
A soccer Spread — also called a 3-Way Asian Handicap — applies a goal handicap to one team and creates three possible outcomes. Unlike American sports Spreads, which have two sides, soccer spreads always have three:
- Home team covers the spread
- Away team covers the spread
- Handicap Draw — the margin of victory exactly equals the handicap
Spread bets can be found in the Same Game Parlay tab on FanDuel. The 90-Minute Rule applies — extra time goals do not count.
Example: Netherlands -1 / USA +1 / Handicap Draw -1
- Netherlands must win by 2 or more goals to cover
- USA covers if they win outright or draw
- Handicap Draw wins if Netherlands win by exactly 1 goal
What Is a Double Chance Bet in Soccer?
A Double Chance covers two of the three possible match outcomes in a single wager. Your three options are:
- Home Win or Draw
- Away Win or Draw
- Either Team Wins (no draw)
Example: You back "France or Draw" at the World Cup. France win 2-0 — your bet wins. The match ends 1-1 — your bet wins. France lose — your bet loses. Double Chance offers lower odds than a straight win bet, but a significantly higher chance of cashing.
What Is a Tie No Bet (Draw No Bet) in Soccer?
A Tie No Bet is a wager on which team wins the game outright — with the draw removed from the equation entirely:
- Your team wins → your bet wins
- Your team loses → your bet loses
- Match ends in a draw → your stake is refunded as a push
Example: You back Spain on a Tie No Bet. Spain draw 0-0. Your money is returned. On a standard 1X2 Moneyline, you would have lost your bet entirely.
Use Tie No Bet when you're confident a team won't lose but worried a draw could cost you your stake.
What Is a Total Goals Bet (Over/Under) in Soccer?
A Total Goals bet is a wager on the combined number of goals scored by both teams in 90 minutes. The most common line in international soccer is 2.5 goals.
- Over 2.5 = 3 or more goals must be scored
- Under 2.5 = 2 or fewer goals must be scored
Example: In group-stage World Cup mismatches, the over is historically strong value. At the 2022 World Cup, Spain beat Costa Rica 7-0, England beat Iran 6-2, and France beat Australia 4-1 — all in opening group matches.
What Is a Both Teams to Score (BTTS) Bet?
A Both Teams to Score bet is a wager on whether both teams score at least one goal. The final score and match result don't matter — only whether each side gets on the scoresheet.
- BTTS Yes = both teams score at least once
- BTTS No = at least one team is shut out
Example: In a World Cup group match between a dominant nation and a weaker side, BTTS No is often strong value — top teams regularly keep clean sheets against weaker opposition. In a closely contested knockout between two attacking nations, BTTS Yes becomes far more compelling.
What Is a Multi Corners Bet in Soccer?
Multi Corners is a unique soccer Total bet. Unlike a standard corners market — which adds up corners across the match — the Multi Corners total is calculated by multiplying the number of corner kicks in the first half by the number in the second half.
Example: 3 corners in the first half × 2 corners in the second half = 6.
- Under 6.5 Multi Corners → bet wins
- Over 6.5 Multi Corners → bet loses
Multi Corners bets are found in the Same Game Parlay tab on FanDuel.
What Are Soccer Player Props?
Player props let you bet on individual performances rather than the match result. The most popular soccer props on FanDuel are:
- Anytime Goal Scorer — a player scores at any point in the match
- First Goal Scorer — a player scores the opening goal (higher risk, higher payout)
- Shots on Target — a player records a set number of shots on target
Who to target: Penalty takers have a built-in scoring edge — they get a direct shot on goal every time their team earns a spot kick. At the World Cup, players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi are among the most popular prop targets because they take penalties, lead set-piece routines, and generate the most shots per match.
What Is Live Betting on Soccer?
Live betting lets you place wagers on a match while it's happening, with odds updating in real time as the game develops. Markets available during a soccer match include current match winner, next team to score, total goals, and live spreads.
Example: A World Cup favorite falls behind 1-0 early against a weaker opponent. Their live odds lengthen from -250 pre-game to +200 in-play. If you believe the result is a fluke rather than a genuine tactical shift, backing the favorite live at inflated odds can offer strong value.
FanDuel's Cash Out feature is also available on selected soccer bets — letting you settle an open wager for a portion of its value before the final whistle.
How to Place a Soccer Bet on FanDuel
FanDuel Sportsbook makes placing a soccer bet simple:
- Log in to your FanDuel account (or create one).
- Navigate to the Soccer section and select your league or tournament — including FIFA World Cup 2026.
- Choose a match and select your market: Moneyline, Spread, Double Chance, Tie No Bet, Total Goals, BTTS, Props, Futures, or Live.
- Tap the odds to add your selection to your bet slip.
- Enter your stake — your potential payout appears automatically.
- Hit Place Bet. Track all wagers under My Bets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet — held every four years, featuring the best national teams from across the globe competing for the most coveted trophy in sports. It is the single largest betting event in soccer.
How does the 2026 World Cup format work?
48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams per group, plus the best third-place finishers, advance to a new Round of 32 — then single elimination through to the Final. Every team plays all three group matches regardless of results. A team must win seven consecutive matches to lift the trophy.
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
104 total matches across 39 days — up from 64 in 2022. The tournament features 48 teams and runs June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
When is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is scheduled for July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who are the host countries for the 2026 World Cup?
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across 16 venues. The US hosts 11 stadiums including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which hosts the final.
Who is the defending World Cup champion?
Argentina, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France on penalties after a 3-3 draw after extra time.
Who is favored to win the 2026 World Cup?
What are World Cup Futures bets?
Futures — also called Outright Winner bets — let you wager on which nation wins the entire tournament before or during the competition. Odds shorten as teams advance and the field narrows. The best value is typically found before the tournament begins, when prices are at their longest.
Can I bet on the World Cup on FanDuel?
Yes. FanDuel offers betting on all World Cup matches including group stage, knockout rounds, and the final — Moneyline, Spread, Double Chance, Tie No Bet, To Qualify, Total Goals, BTTS, player props, futures, and live betting on every game.
What is the most popular World Cup bet?
The Outright Winner futures market is the most popular long-term bet. Match by match, the 1X2 Moneyline is the most common single-game wager, followed by Total Goals Over/Under and Anytime Goal Scorer props.
What is the Golden Boot at the World Cup?
The Golden Boot is awarded to the tournament's top goal scorer. At the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lautaro Martínez are among the top Golden Boot favorites on FanDuel.
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