NHL Bettors Eye Soccer World Cup Markets as 48-Team Tournament Kicks Off in June

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record 48 teams and run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. For hockey fans and bettors transitioning to soccer betting, the tournament offers a unique opportunity to apply their existing knowledge of moneylines, spreads, and live betting to a new sport with distinct rules and market structures.

Hockey bettors are familiar with two-outcome moneylines, home win or away win. Soccer, however, features a three-way moneyline that includes the possibility of a draw. This is a critical difference because a draw is a routine outcome in World Cup group stage matches. Over 30% of matches in recent World Cups have ended in draws, making it essential for bettors to understand how to hedge with options like the "draw no bet" or "double chance" markets.

Spain is the current +430 favorite to win the 2026 World Cup, followed by France at +500 and England at +650. Brazil is the highest-ranked non-European team at +800, while the United States is priced at +4000. These numbers mirror the structure of NHL futures, but the World Cup market is far more open. With 48 teams and a broader range of contenders, longshots at 20/1 or more have advanced to the semifinals in recent tournaments, making the market more volatile and unpredictable.

New York leads the U.S. in sports betting handle, projected to surpass $150 billion in 2026 with the World Cup fueling increased engagement. PlayNY has broken down how local sportsbooks have built out their World Cup offerings, including outright futures, group stage betting, and live in-play lines. The volume and variety of betting options available are the most robust in U.S. soccer history.

Live betting in soccer shares similarities with hockey in a low-scoring environment, but the pace and volatility differ. A 1-0 lead in the 60th minute carries different weight in soccer than in hockey. In-play markets react in real time, with options like next goalscorer and total goals opening and closing rapidly. Hockey bettors who understand live momentum can find value, but they must avoid applying hockey’s scoring rhythm to a sport where a 0-0 score at the 70-minute mark is not a sign of an impending goal rush.

Group stage betting is where hockey bettors can leverage their analytical approach. Picking which teams advance from a specific group is a contained market with known variables like squad strength and historical performance. The 48-team format creates more opportunities for value, especially for bettors who can process data and trends effectively.

With the World Cup just weeks away, New York sportsbooks have set the stage for a betting boom. The infrastructure is in place, the markets are accessible, and the learning curve is manageable. The key is understanding the structural differences between hockey and soccer betting before placing a wager.