World Cup betting apps May 2026 | Top UK bookmakers for World Cup

We cannot wait for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to kick off in North America. It’ll be co-hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and for the first time, it will feature 48 teams (up from 32). Top UK bookies have already put out odds on the World Cup, but which apps offer the best mobile betting experience?

Our experts have spent 100s of hours testing and reviewing UK bookmakers and have ranked the best betting apps for the World Cup. Based on markets, odds, features, sign up offers, and other aspects, here are our top five picks for the best UK World Cup betting apps:

1. bet365
2. Ladbrokes
3. Betfred
4. William Hill
5. Unibet

Let’s look at what each app offers.

Getting started on any of these top 2026 World Cup betting apps is easy and shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Here’s what to do:

1. Pick any legal & safe UKGC licenced bookmaker from the ones mentioned above
2. Download the app. Search for your chosen bookmaker in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). All 10 apps listed above are free to download. Alternatively, visit the bookmaker’s website on your mobile browser and look for the download banner.
3. Create an account. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be asked to enter your name, email, date of birth, and address, then verify your identity (UKGC requirement), which usually means uploading a photo of your passport or driving licence.
4. Make your first deposit to fund your account and claim the welcome offer. Read the terms and conditions to know which payment methods are accepted (typically debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or bank transfer).
5. Find the World Cup betting market of your choice. Navigate to the Football section and look for FIFA World Cup 2026. Markets are usually grouped by: Outright (tournament winner, top goalscorer), Group Stage (group winners, qualification), and Match (1X2, both teams to score, goalscorer, corners, cards).
6. Place your bet. Tap on the odds for your selection to add it to your betslip. Enter your stake and confirm.

Our team tests all the UK bookmaker apps, assessing the most important criteria for bettors. FOr the world cup, you want to make sure the app has these bare minimum boxes ticked:

• App user experience and reliability – The app needs to load quickly, stay responsive during peak matchday traffic, and handle in-play odds updates without lag. We have writers on our team with iPhones and others with Androids so we can get a fair opinion across different formats.
• Good app store ratings and user reviews – We look for a minimum rating of 4.0/5 on both the App Store and Google Play, and read user reviews for recurring issues such as crashes, slow cashout, or login problems.
• UKGC Licensing – Having a UKGC license is non-negotiable for security and regulation purposes. You want your card details and money to be safe and securely stored.
• Quality World Cup odds – We compare odds on the more popular markets across UK bookmakers to see which apps offer the sharpest prices on popular World Cup markets (outright winner, match winner, both teams to score, group winners, top goalscorer — across all 10 apps to identify which consistently offer the sharpest prices).
• Sign-up offers and ongoing promos – We look at welcome bonuses, price boosts, and acca insurance and update the offers regularly for limited-time World Cup-specific offers like enhanced odds or prediction games.
• Betting features – We look for the availability of bet builders, cashout options & speed (on full, partial, and auto), in-play betting, live streaming, push notifications, and other tools that can enhance the World Cup mobile betting experience.
• Payment variety and speed – We check which deposit and withdrawal options each app supports and how quickly winnings land in your account.

The expanded 48-team format for 2026 means more matches and deeper markets than ever before for a World Cup. Here are the most popular markets you’ll find on the top bookmaker apps.

Outright winner

A long-term bet on which team will lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in July 2026. Spain (reigning champions after winning Euro 2024 and the 2024-25 Nations League) and England are among the current favourites. This market typically offers the best value when bet early, before odds shorten as the tournament approaches.

Match winner

A simple yes/no bet on whether both teams will find the net; this is the most popular single-match market. Back the home team, away team, or draw. It’s the staple selection for both single bets and accumulators. During the group stage, look for value on draws in matches between evenly ranked sides.

Both teams to score

A yes/no bet on whether both teams will score in a match. BTTS has historically hit in around 45–50% of World Cup group-stage matches, making it a popular selection for accas.

Group winners

Back a team to finish top of its group. The 2026 World Cup betting apps with this market are great for bettors who closely follow squad depth and fixture lists.

Top goalscorer (Golden Boot)

Bet on the player who scores the most goals across the entire tournament. Penalty takers from teams likely to reach the quarter-finals or beyond tend to offer the strongest value. Previous Golden Boot winners include Kylian Mbappé (2022, 8 goals) and Harry Kane (2018, 6 goals).

Third-place qualification

A new market for this World Cup. Bet on which teams will qualify from third place in their groups. This adds a layer of strategy, since even losing 2 of 3 group matches might still be enough to advance.

UK bookmakers roll out special promos for major tournaments. Here’s what to expect during the 2026 World Cup.

Welcome bonuses

New customers can claim free bets by depositing and wagering a minimum amount. Offers range from £20 (Coral) to £50 (Betfred, Betfair, Sky Bet, Paddy Power). Always check the minimum odds requirements and qualifying payment methods listed in the terms and conditions.

Price boosts

Bookmaker apps regularly boost odds on popular World Cup markets. You’ll see enhanced odds on match winners, goalscorers, and group-stage outcomes. These are typically available for a limited time and often capped at a maximum stake.

Acca insurance

If one leg of your accumulator fails, some apps refund your stake as a free bet. Ladbrokes, BoyleSports, and Paddy Power all offer forms of acca insurance. It’s worth checking the minimum number of legs and minimum odds per selection required.

Free bets (or bet-and-get offers)

Stake a certain amount on World Cup matches and receive free bets in return. These are useful for exploring markets you wouldn’t normally bet on without risking your own money.

Bet Builder and BuildABet promos

Betfair, Sky Bet, and Paddy Power now focus their welcome offers specifically on Bet Builder bets. During the World Cup, expect daily odds boosts on same-game multis combining selections like match winner, plus goalscorer, plus corners.

Most top World Cup betting apps have already started displaying their outright odds. Spain, the reigning European champions, open as favourites. Here are the current best odds for the outright winner market:

Major tournaments create excitement, and it’s easy to get carried away across 104 matches over 5 weeks. All bookmaker apps recommended on this page are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and are required to provide responsible gambling tools. Remember to bet responsibly and within your limits.

Here are the features available for safeguarding your funds on any UKGC-licenced app:

• Deposit limits
• Loss limits
  Session time reminders
• Self-exclusion
• Reality checks

Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these options, or contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit GambleAware.org for added support.