Reckon you’re a football aficionado? Think you know your Cristianos from your Curacaos. Well, bet365 are giving you the chance to prove it.
Their WC26 Challenge enables you to predict the winner of every game at the World Cup, broken down into eight bitesize chunks, starting with Matchday One which sees all 48 teams play their first games.
There are 24 matches to predict with each correct selection earning points in a weighted scoring system – the bigger the potential upset the more points on offer – that enable you to climb both individual matchday leaderboards and an overall tournament standings table.
The prize pool is a whopping £250,000 and, best of all, it’s free to enter for all eligible bet365 customers.
There are further details on how to play below but, if you do need a little help, we have compiled our predictions for Matchday One ahead of the big kick-off tonight between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
Matchday One Predictions (odds correct as of 1100 on June 11)
| Fixture | 1 | X | 2 | Prediction |
| Mexico v South Africa | 12/25 | 10/3 | 11/2 | MEXICO WIN |
| South Korea v Czechia | 13/8 | 21/10 | 7/4 | DRAW |
| Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina | 4/5 | 14/5 | 16/5 | DRAW |
| USA v Paraguay | 1/1 | 12/5 | 11/4 | PARAGUAY WIN |
| Qatar v Switzerland | 17/2 | 9/2 | 3/10 | SWITZERLAND WIN |
| Brazil v Morocco | 4/7 | 3/1 | 17/4 | DRAW |
| Haiti v Scotland | 21/4 | 7/2 | 4/9 | SCOTLAND WIN |
| Australia v Turkey | 7/2 | 5/2 | 4/5 | TURKEY WIN |
| Germany v Curacao | 1/33 | 16/1 | 40/1 | GERMANY WIN |
| Netherlands v Japan | 1/1 | 11/4 | 12/5 | DRAW |
| Ivory Coast v Ecuador | 5/2 | 2/1 | 5/4 | DRAW |
| Sweden v Tunisia | 19/20 | 23/10 | 3/1 | SWEDEN WIN |
| Spain v Cape Verde | 1/12 | 10/1 | 20/1 | SPAIN WIN |
| Belgium v Egypt | 4/6 | 14/5 | 4/1 | BELGIUM WIN |
| Saudi Arabia v Uruguay | 21/4 | 10/3 | 1/2 | URUGUAY WIN |
| Iran v New Zealand | 17/20 | 5/2 | 16/5 | IRAN WIN |
| France v Senegal | 4/9 | 7/2 | 11/2 | FRANCE WIN |
| Iraq v Norway | 11/1 | 21/4 | 2/9 | NORWAY WIN |
| Argentina v Algeria | 21/50 | 7/2 | 6/1 | ARGENTINA WIN |
| Austria v Jordan | 1/3 | 9/2 | 7/1 | AUSTRIA WIN |
| Portugal v DR Congo | 2/7 | 19/4 | 15/2 | PORTUGAL WIN |
| England v Croatia | 8/11 | 27/10 | 15/4 | ENGLAND WIN |
| Ghana v Panama | 1/1 | 5/2 | 13/5 | DRAW |
| Uzbekistan v Colombia | 13/2 | 7/2 | 2/5 | COLOMBIA WIN |
How to Enter the bet365 WC26 Tournament Challenge
Entering is straightforward. Use the link on this page to access your bet365 account then follow the steps below.
- Visit bet365 and log in to your eligible account or sign up.
- Navigate to Football then select Free Games from the menu.
- Click on Tournament Challenge to open the game.
- Select your predicted outcome for each available World Cup fixture.
- Choose your Daily Double to nominate one fixture for double points if correct.
- Submit your entry before the first fixture in each round kicks off.
- Return after each Matchday or round closes to enter your selections for the next phase.
- Check the leaderboards to track your position throughout the tournament.
Scoring System
Points are awarded for correct match outcome predictions across the group stage and knockout rounds. Each player receives 10 points to stake on every fixture and returns are calculated based on the in game odds assigned to each outcome. Correctly predicting upsets can generate significantly more points than backing the favourites, which adds a genuine strategic dimension to how you approach your selections.
The Daily Double
The Daily Double is one of the most important features in the game. For each Matchday or knockout round players can nominate a single fixture as their Daily Double. If that prediction is correct the points earned for that fixture are doubled. Picking the right match for your Daily Double can make a real difference to your leaderboard position, particularly in competitive rounds.
Your Leagues
New for the 2026 edition, the Your Leagues feature allows players to set up private leaderboards and invite friends, colleagues or communities to join. Each private league maintains its own rankings throughout the tournament, giving participants a more personal competition alongside the main global leaderboard. For groups wanting to add an extra layer of rivalry to their World Cup experience it is a worthwhile addition.
Prize Structure
Prizes are available across both individual Matchday leaderboards and an overall tournament leaderboard. The top prize of £50,000 cash is available per qualifying Matchday and for the outright winner of the overall standings. The maximum combined prize pot is £250,000.
Key Terms and Conditions
18+. Only available to new and eligible customers. Free Bets paid as Bet Credits. T&Cs apply. Registration required. #ad
- The Tournament Challenge is free to enter. No deposit or stake is required.
- Only one entry is permitted per person.
- Selections can be edited or reset before a fixture starts. Once a match is in play, no changes can be made.
- Bet Credits prizes are non-withdrawable. Returns from Bet Credits stakes will be added to your withdrawable balance, but the Bet Credits stake itself is not returned.
- Bet Credits expire 7 days after being added to your balance.
- Entry into the Tournament Challenge is separate from standard betting activity, and bet365 promotional offers do not apply.
- In the event of a tie, the applicable prize money is shared equally between all qualifying entrants.
- bet365 reserves the right to amend, suspend or remove the feature at any time.
FAQs
Is there a fee to enter the bet365 WC26 Tournament Challenge?
No, entry is completely free. No deposit, stake or bonus code is required. Eligible customers simply need a registered bet365 account then can navigate to Football, Free Games and Tournament Challenge to get started.
Who is eligible to enter the Tournament Challenge?
The Tournament Challenge is available to new and eligible existing bet365 customers. Full eligibility criteria can be found on the official bet365 terms and conditions page.
Can I change my predictions after submitting them?
Yes, selections can be edited or reset before a fixture kicks off. Once a match is in play those selections are locked and cannot be altered.
What is the Daily Double and how does it work?
The Daily Double lets you nominate one fixture per Matchday or knockout round where a correct prediction earns double points. Choosing the right match can have a significant impact on your position in the leaderboard.
What happens if multiple players finish level in a prize position?
If two or more entrants finish on the same points in a prize position the applicable prize money is shared equally between all qualifying players. This applies to both cash prizes and Bet Credits prizes.
Are the Bet Credits prizes withdrawable?
No. Bet Credits are non withdrawable. Any returns generated from Bet Credits stakes will be added to your withdrawable balance but the Bet Credits stake itself is not included in those returns.
Responsible Gambling in the UK
Gambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem there are several organisations you can contact for free confidential support.
Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
