The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, and spans the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time all three countries jointly host the tournament in North America.
With millions of international fans expected to travel to the US for matches, many visitors will have the same question when they arrive: Can I legally bet on soccer in the US?
- The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Sports betting is legal in many U.S. states, including several hosting World Cup matches. However, unlike some international markets, U.S. online sportsbooks are not open-access gambling apps. They operate as regulated platforms that require users to create and verify an account before wagering. The same can be said for prediction market apps like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Novig as well as top DFS apps like Underdog and Sleeper.
That means access to betting, trading, and DFS depends on two separate questions:
- Is betting legal in the state you are physically in?
- Can you successfully complete the app’s identity verification process to create a new account?
As a result, an international visitor may be physically located in a legal betting state during the 2026 World Cup, but still face restrictions when registering or placing bets.
Questions around SSN requirements, U.S. address requirements, foreign IDs, and cross-border sportsbook access will surely become especially common during the soccer tournament, particularly for international fans accustomed to betting in their home countries.
Below is more info on what international visitors to the U.S. should know before betting on World Cup soccer while traveling to the United States.
| Best Soccer Betting Sites, Prediction Markets, DFS Apps | Best World Cup Betting Offers |
|---|---|
| Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code HANDLE – Soccer Sportsbook | $1,000 Bet Match |
| BetMGM Bonus Code HANDLE1550 – Soccer Sportsbook | $1,550 in Bonuses |
| DraftKings Promo Code (Click Here) – Soccer Sportsbook | $100 Bet-and-Get Promo |
| FanDuel Promo Code (Click Here) – Soccer Sportsbook | $150 Bet-and-Get Promo |
| bet365 Bonus Code (Click Here) – Soccer Sportsbook | $200 Bet-and-Get Promo |
| Kalshi Promo Code HANDLE – Prediction Market | $10 Sign-Up Bonus |
| Polymarket Promo Code HANDLE – Prediction Market | $50 Welcome Offer |
| Novig Promo Code HANDLE – Prediction Market | $50 Sign-Up Offer |
| Underdog Promo Code HANDLE – DFS | $50 Bonus Entries |
| Sleeper Promo Code HANDLE – DFS | $120 Welcome Bonus |
Can I Bet on Soccer Games Online for USA World Cup 2026?
Yes, in some U.S. states, international visitors can place sports bets while physically present in a jurisdiction where sports betting is legal. However, without a US Social Security Number (SSN), new users are not be able to sign up at all.
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U.S. sports betting laws are different state-by-state, so your physical location determines legality rather than citizenship. However, there is an important distinction: you cannot place a sports bet in the U.S. without first creating and verifying a new account with a licensed sportsbook. Again, without a SSN, legal online sports betting is not an option for international visitors in the U.S.
Regulated online sportsbooks require users to complete identity verification before any betting is allowed. This process typically includes:
- Government-issued identification (such as a passport or driver’s license)
- Personal information (name, date of birth, address, SSN)
- Additional compliance checks, depending on the operator
Sportsbooks sometimes request a U.S. home address during registration, but requirements vary by state and operator. While some users may be able to start the new user sign-up process with international details, most regulated U.S. sportsbooks require full identity verification before you can bet on soccer or any other sports betting market. This limits international users from being compliant in the identity verification procss.
Because of these rules and restrictions, those visiting the U.S. cannot complete new account registration or place bets, even when they are physically located in a legal sports betting state.
Which U.S. States Allow Sports Betting During the World Cup?
Sports betting is legal in more than 30 U.S. states, although availability and rules vary by jurisdiction.
The states that will host 2026 World Cup games include:
- Florida (Legal Sports Betting – Hard Rock Sportsbook only)
- Kansas (Legal Sports Betting)
- Massachusetts (Legal Sports Betting)
- Missouri (Legal Sports Betting)
- New Jersey (Legal Sports Betting)
- New York (Legal Sports Betting)
- Pennsylvania (Legal Sports Betting)
- California (No Legal Sports Betting)
- Texas (No Legal Sports Betting)
Licensed sportsbook apps such as Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, and bet365 (U.S. version) all use geolocation technology to verify users’ physical location within state borders before they can place bets.
Even if a user already has a sportsbook account, online sports betting is only permitted when you are physically located in a legal betting jurisdiction. It’s also important to note that sportsbook access varies by state. Some states allow mobile sports betting statewide, while others restrict betting to retail casino locations.
Do I Need a U.S. Address or SSN to Bet on Soccer?
Yes, you need a U.S address and/or SSN to bet on soccer. To place sports bets in the United States, users must first create and verify an account with a licensed sportsbook.
During registration, sportsbooks typically require:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Government-issued identification
- Residential address (U.S. or international, depending on the operator and state rules)
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
U.S. sportsbooks use your personal identifying information for tax reporting and regulatory compliance. The registration process and requirements vary by operator and state. While some systems may allow entry of international address details, all regulated sportsbooks require full identity verification before wagering. Additional compliance checks may limit access for users without U.S. identity information.
For international visitors, the key issue is not a single field like SSN or address alone, but whether you can successfully complete the identity verification process required to create a sports betting account. If a user cannot complete verification, the sportsbook won’t allow you to deposit funds or place bets, even if you are physically located in a legal sports betting state.
How To Bet on Soccer Games Online While in the US
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bet on soccer games online for the 2026 World Cup. How to bet soccer online is simple as long as you follow the steps below:
- Click any sign-up link on this page or the modules below to claim your soccer betting promo.
- Complete all KYC checks to confirm your identity.
- Once validated, deposit funds into your new account.
- Make picks on the 2026 World Cup today.
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