England’s World Cup 2026 journey kicks off against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, at Dallas Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm UK time. The match is the first of three Group L fixtures for the Three Lions, who will then face Ghana in Boston on June 23 and Panama at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 27. The tournament itself, the largest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches, begins on June 11 when Mexico take on South Africa in Mexico City, and runs through to the final on July 19 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. Hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the expanded format means every group game carries added significance, and England’s opener against Croatia is expected to draw a frenzy of activity in pubs, living rooms and venues across the country.
Bet365’s World Cup welcome offer
UK betting sites are bracing for a surge in activity, and bet365 have launched a World Cup welcome offer for new customers. The promotion allows new users to bet £10 and receive £30 in free World Cup bets, but the offer is scalable, meaning it can be tailored to a smaller stake. New customers who place a qualifying bet between £5 and £10 on any sport at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater will receive a 300% bonus in free bets, up to a maximum of £30. For example, a first wager of £5 returns £15 in free bets; a £7.50 bet yields £22.50; and the headline £10 qualifying bet delivers the full £30.
The mechanics are straightforward. No promo code is required. New customers must register an account, make their first deposit using an eligible payment method — e-wallets such as PayPal and Paysafecard do not count — and place a qualifying bet. In-play, cashed-out, void and boosted-odds bets do not qualify. Once the bet settles, the free bets are credited automatically. The tokens are valid for seven days and the value of the free bet stake is not returned with any winnings. The offer is limited to one per customer, is available only to new customers, and is subject to bettors being UK residents aged 18 or over. Bettors should be aware that bet365’s promotions can vary by region: in some US states, for instance, new customers may be offered a first bet safety net up to $1,000 or a “Bet $10 Get $200” bonus, but those offers do not apply in the UK.
Additional promotions for the tournament
Beyond the welcome offer, bet365 are rolling out a suite of ongoing promotions designed to appeal to football fans throughout the World Cup. The Super Boost feature delivers daily enhanced odds on a selected World Cup market, flagged each morning on the site, the app and bet365’s social channels. The Sub on Play On option — one of the platform’s flagship features — allows a bet on a player market such as first goalscorer or to be carded to roll over to that player’s replacement if they are substituted off. The Early Payout, or 2UP, feature pays out a bet as a winner if the team backed goes two goals ahead at any point, regardless of the final score. Bet Builders let users combine multiple markets from the same match, with an additional 25% winnings boost available on qualifying builders that include three or more legs at odds of evens (2.0) or greater. Live in-play markets are available for every group stage and knockout game. Live streaming of some World Cup warm-up matches is also accessible via the bet365 app for users with a funded account or a qualifying bet on the match.
Bet365 was founded in 2000 in Stoke-on-Trent by Denise Coates and now operates globally, holding licences in multiple jurisdictions including 17 US states. The company has recently launched a free-to-play fantasy sports game in the US and Canada timed for the World Cup, combining real-world sport with collectible card gameplay.
Responsible gambling
Gambling in the UK is regulated by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain under the Gambling Act 2005, which aims to prevent crime, protect children and ensure fair practices. Recent consumer protection measures introduced in 2025 include financial vulnerability checks, deposit limit prompts, and maximum stake limits on online slots — £5 for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24. From April 1, 2027, a new remote betting duty rate of 25% will apply to profits from remote betting, though UK horse racing remains chargeable at 15%.
Gambling should never be treated as a source of income. Bettors are urged never to stake more than they can afford and to use deposit and time limits. Free, confidential support is available from GamCare via the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, through live chat and WhatsApp, and from GambleAware, which offers advice and tools. The National Gambling Treatment Service provides additional help through clinics and helplines, and Safer Gambling offers guides and resources.
