2018 World Cup Betting Trends Recap

2018 World Cup Betting Trends Recap

Russia hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Only the World Cup in Qatar 2022 was more expensive than the amount spent by Russia on hosting the 2018 World Cup. The finals produced two European powerhouses in France, the favorites facing off against Croatia, the underdogs. France won the finals by four goals to 2. The 2018 World Cup was one of the most watched tournaments, with over 3.5 billion, or just under half the world’s population tuning in to watch the finals. With several spectators, the number of wagers and bets increased in the top football tournament held every four years. However, since European teams participated in the finals and semi-finals, the total number of viewers in 2018 was lesser than in 2014 (including teams from South America).

VAR Technology

While the 2014 World Cup saw the introduction of goal-line technology, the 2018 World Cup introduced International professional football to Video Assistant Referees of VARs. Costa’s goal for Spain was the first goal in World Cup history due to VAR. Until the introduction of VAR, the referee made most decisions on the pitch with the help of the other assistant referees.  

Group Stages

Teams eliminated in the group stage include Germany, South Korea, Nigeria, Senegal, and Poland. The host nation Russia had a dream run, first qualifying in the group stages as the lowest FIFA-ranked team in the tournament. Spain lost to Russia in the round of 16 before losing to eventual finalists Croatia in penalties after extra time. France and Croatia played in a high-scoring final that ended with the French lifting the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a 4-2 win. Belgium and England, the losing semi-finalists, played in a 3rd place match which Belgium won in a 2-0 victory over the three lions.

Golden Boot

Harry Kane got the golden boot award for having the most goals as the English striker scored 6. Lukaku, Griezmann, Mbappe, Ronaldo, and Cheryshev scored four goals each, while Luka Modric, the losing team’s captain in the finals, bagged the golden ball award. Kylian Mbappe stamped his authority with the best young player award in his nation’s World Cup win. Thibaut Courtois was the golden glove awardee for conceding the fewest goals for Belgium in the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup.  

Fun Facts

• Panama and Iceland were World Cup debutants at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
• The average goal scored per game was 2.64 across 64 games. On average, teams scored between 2 and 3 goals in a match in this high-scoring World Cup finals.
• Russia released a commemorative note (on the 100 ruble note) depicting the World Cup in the country.
• High-ranked teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup 2018 include Italy, Netherlands, Cameroon, Chile, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and the United States of America.
• The 2018 World Cup produced the most penalties awarded to teams based on VAR. VAR ensured fair play and that teams that deserved a goal got it, and vice versa.
• The 2018 World Cup cost the host country over $14 billion, 3.5 billion more than the previous World Cup.  
• The 2018 World Cup produced the lowest number of red cards in the last 40 years (4), with fewer red cards issued in the 1978 edition of the World Cup. One of the critical reasons for better discipline among players and teams was possibly the introduction of VAR.
• The mascot for the 2018 World Cup edition was Zabivaka, and the match ball was Telstar 18.
• The official track of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is Live it up by Will Smith and other artists.  

2022 Qatar World Cup

The next World Cup following Russia will occur in Qatar in 2022. The tournament will be in winter because of the high temperatures in the Middle East region. The 2022 World Cup is only the second time an Asian country has hosted the World Cup, after the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea.