Betting on the World Cup isn't limited to picking who lifts the trophy.
Sportsbooks offer hundreds of prop bets throughout the tournament, allowing bettors to wager on everything from individual player performances to team milestones and tournament awards.
Whether you're backing a star striker to win the Golden Boot, betting on a nation to dominate its group, or targeting a longshot to make a deep run, the World Cup odds provide some of the most exciting betting opportunities available.
Below, we'll break down the most popular World Cup prop markets and explain how each one works.
Most popular World Cup props
| Market |  |
|---|---|
| Outright winner | Argentina 8.9% |
| Golden Boot winner | Harry Kane 12% |
| Golden Ball winner | Michael Olise 7% |
| Group Winner | Netherlands win Group F 54% |
| Team props | Portugal reach quarterfinals 50% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.
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Not all World Cup props are created equal. While sportsbooks post countless betting markets throughout the tournament, these are the props that typically generate the most interest among bettors looking to back players, teams, and tournament-wide outcomes.
The most popular World Cup props include:
- Golden Boot winner
- Tournament winner
- Group winner
- Team to reach final
- Most assists
- Team total goals
- Golden Ball winner
- Best Young Player
- Golden Glove winner
World Cup player props
Player props allow bettors to focus on individual performances rather than team results.
Popular player prop markets include:
- Anytime goalscorer
- First goalscorer
- Tournament goals
- Shots on target
- Assists
- Cards
- To score 3+ goals
- To score 5+ goals
- Most assists
- Golden Ball winner
These markets become increasingly popular during the knockout stages when sportsbooks offer expanded player betting options for every match.
World Cup team props
Team props focus on how a nation performs throughout the tournament.
Some of the most common World Cup team props include:
- Team to qualify from the group
- Group winner
- Team total goals
- Team total points
- Most goals scored
- Most clean sheets
- To reach the quarterfinals
- To reach the semifinals
- To reach the final
These markets often appeal to bettors who have strong opinions on a team's draw or potential tournament path.
World Cup group betting markets
The group stage creates a unique collection of betting opportunities before the tournament even begins.
Popular group-stage props include:
- Group winner
- Exact group finishing position
- Team to qualify
- Team to finish last
- Group without a draw
- Highest-scoring team in the group
Because every nation is guaranteed three matches, group betting markets often provide a larger sample size than traditional match betting.
World Cup knockout round props
Once the group stage concludes, sportsbooks shift their attention toward advancement markets.
These props include:
- To qualify for the next round
- Exact stage of elimination
- To reach the semifinals
- To reach the final
- To win the World Cup
Unlike standard moneyline betting, qualification markets include extra time and penalty shootouts.
World Cup futures betting
Futures are wagers that remain active throughout the tournament and are settled once the competition concludes.
Popular World Cup futures include:
- Tournament winner
- Tournament runner-up
- Golden Boot winner
- Golden Ball winner
- Best Young Player
- Golden Glove winner
These markets typically open months before kickoff and evolve as teams advance through the bracket.
World Cup Golden Boot odds
If there is one prop market that rivals the World Cup winner board in popularity, it's the Golden Boot odds market.
The Golden Boot is awarded to the tournament's leading goalscorer, creating a futures market built around the biggest attacking stars in the world.
Players such as Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Vinicius Junior, and Lionel Messi often headline the betting board. Still, history has shown that breakout stars can emerge during every World Cup.
World Cup Props FAQ
World Cup props are bets based on player, team, or tournament outcomes instead of the result of a single match.
Golden Boot betting is typically the most popular World Cup prop market.
Yes. Sportsbooks offer player props for goals, assists, shots, cards, and other statistical categories throughout the tournament.
Many futures and prop markets open months before the tournament begins.
Yes. Markets such as Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and team advancement bets are commonly classified as futures props.
