Everything you need to know about World Cup 2026 betting in one place. Use the sections below to find answers fast! ⏩⚽
In-Play Betting
In-Play betting is available on Dabble for World Cup matches. You can place singles, multis, and BetBuilder bets both pre-match and in-play.
ℹ️ Live markets are subject to availability.
For full in-play rules, see our Football In-Play Betting Rules article.
Injury Protection
The Injury Protection Policy covers player prop markets on Singles, BetBuilder and Pick'em across the following competitions, subject to the rules below.
Qualifying competitions
English Premier League, English Championship, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Criteria
The selected player must start the match. Players who begin on the bench and enter the game for any amount of time are not eligible.
The player is injured during the 1st Half and does not take any part in the 2nd Half.
Refunds apply only once the player's injury and lack of 2nd Half participation are confirmed.
Pick'em and Injury Protection
Football Pick'em is covered by the Injury Protection Policy.
❗ Only selections on the More option are eligible for a void or refund. Less selections on an injured player are not eligible and settle as normal.
How Injury Protection affects each bet type
Singles: the affected player prop is refunded individually. Other bets in your account are not affected.
BetBuilder: outside the competitions covered by Fresh Legs, the affected player selection is voided. Because any voided leg voids the entire BetBuilder, the full stake is refunded.
Pick'em: the affected More leg is removed from your entry and the multiplier adjusts to the remaining legs. The rest of your entry continues as normal.
ℹ️ World Cup and English Premier League BetBuilder: a substituted or injured player is handled by Fresh Legs, not Injury Protection. The bet continues with the replacement player rather than being voided. See the Fresh Legs section below. 👇🏻
Common questions
What if a player misses time due to a coaching decision?
If a player does not take part due to being rested, rotated, or managed for load, their bet will not be voided and will settle as normal. The policy only applies to genuine injuries.
What if a player is already a winning bet before leaving the game?
This is treated like a normal bet and paid out accordingly.
For the full policy, see our Injury Protection Policy article.
Fresh Legs
With Dabble Fresh Legs, your BetBuilder does not stop when a player you have backed on a player prop leaves the pitch. If your player is substituted before that selection has settled, your bet continues with the fresh legs of the player who replaces them.
How it works
You place a BetBuilder that includes one or more player-specific markets.
Your backed player is substituted before that selection has settled.
The replacement player's actions add on to the original player's stat line. If the replacement completes what the selection needed, your original leg is settled as a winner.
Example: Your leg is Player A to make over 58.5 passes. Player A is substituted after completing 48 passes. The fresh legs of the replacement player now need to complete 11 more passes for your leg to win.
Where Fresh Legs applies
BetBuilder bets only.
English Premier League and FIFA World Cup 2026.
ℹ️ Your bet slip will not update to show the replacement player. It will continue to display the original player you backed.
Common questions
What happens if more than one substitute comes on at the same time?
To determine which player has replaced your original selection, we refer to Opta.
What happens if the substitute is then substituted off?
The fresh legs move on to the new substitute who replaced the original substitute. For example, if your backed player is replaced and their replacement is later substituted, your bet picks up the stats of each player in turn through the chain of substitutions.
When will the bet be settled?
ℹ️ Bets are updated and settled within 60 minutes after the full-time whistle. Your bet may display as a loser immediately after full-time even if it has won. We will settle it correctly as quickly as possible.
For full details, see our Fresh Legs article.
World Cup Bet Club
The World Cup Bet Club rewards eligible customers throughout World Cup 2026. Opt in through the Dabble app, complete the weekly qualifying criteria, and earn rewards, including Free Bets, every week.
See World Cup Bet Club: How It Works for who is eligible, how to opt in, and how rewards are paid out each week.
Settlement Providers
How your bet is settled depends on the market type. Here is a breakdown of the official data sources we use, and what to do if you think your bet has been settled incorrectly.
Settlement by bet type
Bet type | Data source |
Singles and BetBuilder | Resulted directly by our data providers. Opta is used as the official reference source for any stat discrepancies or disputes. |
Pick'em | Settled using official statistics published by Opta. If Opta does not provide stats for a match, another official data source will be used. |
MVP Combinations, Stat Pack and Match Day Dabbles | Settled using Opta as the official data source, or another official data source if statistics are not provided by Opta. |
Settlement timeline
Most markets settle automatically shortly after the final whistle once the result is confirmed. Markets that rely on Opta stats (Pick'em, MVP Combinations and Stat Pack) may take additional time as settlement waits for official statistics to be published and confirmed.
⏲️ Delays are normal where official stats take time to be published. If your bet has not settled after 60 minutes, contact our support team.
Checking your stats on Opta before contacting us
If you believe your bet has been settled incorrectly, we recommend checking the official Opta stats before reaching out.
Visit optaplayerstats.statsperform.com/en_GB/soccer
Search for the relevant match using the team name or competition
Select the match and locate your player to view their official stats
Compare the Opta stats against your bet to see if the settlement is correct
If the Opta stats support your claim and you still believe there is a discrepancy, contact our support team with the match details, player name, and the stats you are disputing.
If Opta subsequently revises their official stats, we will reassess and update your result accordingly.
MVP Combo Markets & Stat Packs
MVP Combinations and Featured MVP Combinations
ℹ️ All MVP markets are settled on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury stoppage time) only. Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included unless stated otherwise.
If a listed player is not in the starting line-up, selections including that player will be void.
All MVP markets will be resulted per the results published by Opta, or another official data source if statistics are not provided by Opta.
Dabble's Stat Pack and Popular Dabble's Stat Pack
If a listed player is not in the starting line-up, selections including that player will be void.
All Dabble's Stat Pack markets are resulted on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury stoppage time) only. Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included unless stated otherwise.
All Dabble's Stat Pack markets will be resulted per the results published by Opta, or another official data source if statistics are not provided by Opta.
Pick'em
Pick'em markets on Football (including the World Cup) are settled using official statistics from Opta, or another official data source if Opta is not available.
All markets are resulted on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury stoppage time) only. Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included unless explicitly stated.
If the selected player is not in the starting line-up, the Pick'em market on that player will be void.
Delays in settlement are normal where official stats take time to be published.
Post-event disqualifications or penalties do not affect settlement. The official result at the end of the event is final.
General rules
Your Pick'em bet must include players from at least two opposing teams.
If all players from one team are voided after legs are removed, the entire entry will be voided as it no longer meets the two-team requirement.
ℹ️ If all remaining players in your entry end up from the same team after voids are applied, your entire Pick'em entry will be voided as it no longer meets the two-team requirement.
For full Pick'em rules and how to place a Pick'em bet, visit our Pick'em page.
Handicap Betting Explained
Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual goal advantage or disadvantage before the match begins.
How to read a handicap
A negative number (for example, France -1.5) means France must overcome that deficit. They need to win by 2 or more goals for a France -1.5 bet to win.
A positive number (for example, Scotland +1.5) means Scotland have a head start. They can lose by 1 goal, draw, or win outright and the bet still wins.
Half-ball handicaps (for example, -0.5, -1.5, -2.5)
The 0.5 increment means a draw after the handicap is applied is impossible — there are only two outcomes, win or lose. Stakes are never refunded on half-ball handicap markets.
Example: France -1.5 v Scotland +1.5. Final score: France 2-0 Scotland. After handicap: France 0.5, Scotland 1.5. Scotland win on handicap.
Whole-ball handicaps (for example, -1.0, +1.0)
A whole-number handicap means a draw after the handicap is applied is possible.
If only two outcomes are quoted (no separate Draw option), a draw after the handicap results in a void and your stake is refunded.
If three outcomes are quoted (including a priced Draw), the Draw is a valid winning selection and a draw after the handicap is not a void.
Example: France -1.0 v Scotland +1.0. Final score: France 2-1 Scotland. After handicap: France 1.0, Scotland 0.0. The handicap result is a draw. With two outcomes quoted, the bet is void and refunded. With three outcomes quoted, the Draw selection wins.
Handicap 0
A Handicap 0 market means neither team starts with an advantage. You are betting on which team wins the match outright. If the match ends level, the outcome depends on the market structure: with two outcomes quoted the bet is void; with three outcomes (including a priced Draw), the Draw selection wins.
ℹ️ All handicap markets are settled on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury time) only. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count.
Common Football Questions
Does extra time count for my bet?
Most markets are settled on regulation time (90 minutes plus injury time) only. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count unless the market is explicitly labelled as including them.
My team won but my bet lost. How?
In World Cup knockout matches this is almost always because the market you bet on is settled on regulation time only (90 minutes plus injury time), not including extra time or penalties.
Match Result market: settled on the score at the end of 90 minutes plus injury time. If the score is level at 90 minutes and your team goes on to win in extra time or on penalties, a Match Result bet on that team is settled as a draw, meaning your bet is a loss.
To Win the Tie / To Progress to the Next Round: these markets explicitly include extra time and penalty shootouts. If your team wins on penalties, a bet on these markets is a winner.
ℹ️ Always check whether the market you are placing is Match Result (regulation time only) or To Win the Tie / To Progress (which includes extra time and penalties) before placing your bet.
What if the match is abandoned?
If a match is abandoned before full-time, all markets are void and stakes refunded, unless the result of a particular market had already been unconditionally determined at the point of abandonment.
If the match is resumed from the point of abandonment, or replayed, and completed within 48 hours of the original scheduled start time, all bets stand and are settled on the final result. If it is not completed within 48 hours, bets are void and stakes refunded.
BetBuilder: if a leg has already won and the abandonment had no impact on it, that leg stands. If a leg has already lost, the BetBuilder is a loser. If any leg is still undecided at the point of abandonment, the BetBuilder is void and refunded.
What if the match is postponed?
Bets will be void unless the match is rescheduled to commence within 48 hours of the original scheduled start time. Matches with a kick-off time altered well in advance (for example, to accommodate live TV or to ease fixture congestion) are not classed as postponed.
What if my selected player does not start?
It depends on which bet type you placed. Here is how each market handles a player who is not in the starting line-up:
Bet type | What happens |
Player stat markets (shots, tackles, passes, saves etc.) | Void if the player does not start. |
Pick'em | Leg is void and removed from your entry. |
MVP Combinations and Stat Pack | Selections including that player will be void. |
BetBuilder | Void only if the player never enters the field of play at any point (including as a substitute). Bet stands if the player starts or comes on as a sub. |
Goal scorer – first goal scorer | Void if the player was not on the pitch before the first goal was scored. |
Goal scorer – last or anytime | Void only if the player does not take part in the game at all. |
Bookings and card markets | Void if the player never takes the field. A player is considered active if they take any part in the match. |
❗If your player starts the match but is substituted off during the game, this is not the same as not starting. The bet generally stands.
On World Cup BetBuilders, a substituted player is handled by Fresh Legs. On other competitions, the Injury Protection Policy may apply if the player was injured in the 1st half and does not return for the 2nd half.
Why was my player voided?
Common reasons a player selection is voided:
Not in the starting line-up: applies to player stat markets, Pick'em, MVP Combinations, and Stat Pack. A late withdrawal or confirmed DNP will trigger a void on those bet types.
Never entered the field of play: for BetBuilder player markets. If the player started on the bench and was never brought on, the entire BetBuilder is void.
Injury Protection applied: if a player starts, is injured in the 1st half and does not return for the 2nd half, their More selection may be voided. For Singles, that individual bet is refunded. For Pick'em, the More leg is removed and your multiplier adjusts. Less selections are not covered and settle as normal. On World Cup and English Premier League BetBuilder, substitutions are covered by Fresh Legs rather than Injury Protection.
Pick'em two-team rule: if legs are voided and all remaining players in your entry are from the same team, the entire entry is voided as it no longer meets the minimum two-team requirement.
ℹ️ If you are unsure why your player was voided, contact our support team with your bet details and we will look into it.
What happens if I bet on a player listed as a substitute?
Most markets require the player to start. Backing a player expected to come on as a substitute is high-risk. Here is how each bet type handles it:
Bet type | What happens |
Player stat markets (shots, tackles, saves etc.) | Void. The player must start the match. |
Pick'em, MVP Combinations, Stat Pack | Void. The player must be in the starting line-up. |
BetBuilder | Bet stands as long as the player enters the field at any point. Coming on as a substitute is sufficient. |
Goal scorer – first goal scorer | Void if the player was not on the pitch before the first goal was scored. |
Goal scorer – last or anytime | Bet stands as long as the player takes part in the game at any point. |
Bookings and card markets | Bet stands as long as the player takes any part in the match. |
How are group stage standings decided if teams are level on points?
FIFA uses a structured tiebreaker system. The criteria are applied in order until the tie is broken.
If two or more teams are level on points, the following apply first, based only on the matches played between those tied teams:
Most points from head-to-head matches between the tied teams
Superior goal difference from those head-to-head matches
Most goals scored in those head-to-head matches
If teams are still tied after the above, or if only two teams are level on points, the following apply across all group matches:
Superior goal difference across all group matches
Most goals scored across all group matches
Best fair play score (fewest yellow and red cards across all group matches)
FIFA World Ranking
Will my Group Winner bet still count if the team finishes first on goal difference or goals scored rather than wins?
Yes. Group Winner markets are settled on the official final group standings. If your team finishes first in their group under any of the tiebreaker criteria above, the bet is a winner. The method used to determine the final position does not affect settlement.
Do own goals count?
Own goals do not count for goal scorer markets (first, last or anytime). They do count for total goals markets and count toward the team they are awarded to.
What if I think the stats used to settle my bet are wrong?
All stats-based markets are settled using official data from Opta. If you believe there is a discrepancy, the result will stand based on Opta's published stats at the time of settlement.
If Opta subsequently revises their official stats, we will reassess and update the result accordingly.
You can contact Opta directly via statsperform.com/contact if you wish to raise a stat query with them.
How are card markets settled?
Only bookings in regulation time count. Bookings of managers, coaches, or players not yet on the pitch do not count. Bookings made after the final whistle do not count.
For card index markets: Yellow card = 10 points, Red card = 25 points. If a player receives a yellow then a red, the total is 35 points (maximum per player).
How are corner markets settled?
Only corners physically taken are counted. If a corner is re-taken, it counts as one corner. Extra time does not count.
For more information on our Football Rules, please check out our Football T&Cs.