How to Get the Most Out of the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will quite literally be the biggest sporting event on the planet. For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete at the tournament, which is scheduled to run between June 11 and July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Whether you’re a hardcore football fan or more of a casual who only watches the big tournaments, here’s how to get the most out of what’s to come this summer.
Follow Every Fixture
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup means that there will be more football played at this tournament than at any previous one. Unlike in previous World Cups, the addition of a third qualifying spot per group means there will be consequences right up until the end of the group stage games. More teams and an increase in matches mean the upsets are coming, which is exciting in itself.
Get a Sweepstake Going
There’s no better way to get a group of people invested in a World Cup than a sweepstake. Draw the teams out at random, throw a few quid in the pot, and suddenly matches like Uzbekistan vs DR Congo become must-watches. There are free sweepstakes generators online, and they only take a few minutes to set up. Sweepstakes are low-cost, low-effort and always a lot of fun.
Get Involved With Betting
For many fans, having a bet on the World Cup is part of the experience. There are markets to suit everyone, from outrights such as predicting who will win the tournament to match betting and placing bets in-play. Spain and France lead the outright winner betting at present, with Norway seen as having an outside chance due to Erling Haaland leading the line for them. There are always some great bonuses to take advantage of at major tournaments like the World Cup, too.
Explore the Gaming Options
The World Cup inspires more than just football. Online gaming platforms will be ramping up their offerings in line with the tournament, which is great news for gamers. For those who enjoy spinning the reels of slots alongside their football, there’s a huge range of football-themed slots games online, from titles built around penalty shootouts to others with football-themed features and symbols. They’re ideal to play while waiting for a match to kick off, or even at half-time.
Watch With Others
You should never underestimate the communal side of a World Cup. Public screenings of matches, fan parks and house parties are what take a football tournament and turn it into a shared experience. England’s kick-off times will vary, so an alarm clock may be required, but that won’t change the fantastic experiences that can be had. Find your people and watch the games together, celebrating the highs and lows.
Make the Most of It
Make no mistake, there is no bigger event in sport and it only comes around once every four years. This means there’s a long wait for the next tournament to arrive. So you really have to make the most of it while it's on. Engage with the action in every way possible and watch the matches with others. It remains one of the best experiences around, and who knows, maybe this could be England’s year. Finally.
World Cup 2026 fixture