How to profit from new format of year’s biggest tournament: 1xBet’s practical guide for partners and players

In this article, 1xBet explores how the expanded 48-team format at the WC2026 is reshaping betting dynamics, live engagement, and affiliate strategies for operators, players, and partners ahead of football’s biggest global event.

WC2026 isn’t just another tournament. It features a new format that everyone will have to adapt to – participants, fans, and platform owners alike, all hoping to be part of the year’s biggest sporting event, and, of course, turn a solid profit. 

While the players can figure things out on their own, the leading bookmaker has prepared a short guide for players and partners at 1xBet to help them approach the tournament the right way.

Bigger, faster, tougher: how new tournament differs from previous editions

First and foremost, the scale: 48 teams and 104 matches – a schedule unlike anything football has ever seen before. The expanded format means one thing: the market will become far less predictable. More teams mean more dark horses, more group-stage surprises, and all of it will have to be factored into betting strategies.

We could see more shocks on the scale of Morocco 2022. While not everyone will reach the semi-finals, many will make a statement and upset the favorites, including those making their tournament debut. Traditional analytics based on historical data may no longer serve as a reliable guide.

The number of matches per day will increase dramatically, while audience attention will be split across multiple games. In this environment, digital noise can quickly become a serious challenge. The advantage will go to whoever reacts fastest – whether it’s an analyst, a partner, or the player. A missed insight or breaking news can instantly shift betting odds and player behavior, while platforms operating 24/7 will attract even more traffic. In an information-overloaded environment, speed becomes the ultimate competitive edge.

Timing is everything. The traditional pre-match analysis window is shrinking to a critical minimum. While analysts and bettors previously had 12–24 hours to thoroughly prepare for a match, now only a few hours may separate two major games. Those who fail to adapt will fall behind.

Betting life hacks for new format

Here are a few examples of what bettors should focus on to make the most of their chances.

Betting on squad depth is tournament’s main opportunity

The packed schedule will place extra pressure on teams hoping to go all the way and play eight possible matches. Top national teams will be forced to rotate their squads heavily to keep players fresh for the knockout stage.

Special attention should be paid to the third matchday of the group stage, when teams that have already secured qualification may give their fringe players a chance. Because of this, bettors should look closely at underdog markets during the final group-stage matches. The odds don’t always reflect the announced lineups in time, especially when they are released shortly before kickoff.

Live automation is no longer optional – it’s essential

With so many matches happening simultaneously, keeping track of everything becomes extremely difficult. Live betting demands instant reactions, and the tools offered by the bookmaker can make all the difference. In this regard, the 1xBet mobile app stands out with real-time push notifications during matches.

Squad changes, cards, and other game-altering factors are instantly visible to 1xBet users in Live mode, allowing them to place bets before the odds have time to react. Notifications about key matches also eliminate the need to waste time manually searching.

Affiliate strategy: how to monetize chaos

For affiliate partners, matches in the Americas represent more than just high traffic. They create an entirely new competitive environment, where outdated content strategies will produce only average results.

Content delivery speed is your biggest advantage

Audiences won’t wait until the next morning for analysis. Content needs to be published almost in real time: match previews 2-3 hours before kickoff, lineup breakdowns immediately after they are announced, and match recaps within an hour of the final whistle. The affiliate whose article or post appears first in search results and social feeds gains the edge.

Build a content pipeline in advance: templates, on-call writers or editors for each time zone, and automated social media posting.

Creative automation has become standard

Static banners with fixed odds are already outdated before the tournament even begins. Instead, use 1xPartners dynamic banners: they update odds in real time, and users see the current lines directly within your content.

This can significantly boost click-through and conversion rates, especially during peak pre-match hours. Dynamic creative is a powerful sales tool, not just an image. Players value this, and a wide selection of creatives for specific events is easily accessible in the 1xPartners Personal Account.

Focus on Mobile

According to industry estimates, up to 90% of bets during a high-intensity tournament will be placed on mobile devices – on the go, in public transportation, in sports bars, or right at the stadium. This means your entire funnel – landing pages, content, and calls to action – must be fully optimized for mobile screens.

Check how your landing page looks on a smartphone. How fast does it load? How clearly is the CTA displayed on a 6-inch screen? If you have doubts about any of these points, they should become your top priority before the tournament begins.

And remember: Live betting demands as few clicks as possible between making a decision and placing the bet. Drive traffic directly to the mobile app. It shortens the path to conversion and consistently delivers strong results.

Conclusion

The tournament in the Americas will become the first true hyper-tournament. And the winners won’t just be the teams lifting the trophy, but also those who adapt fastest. This includes bettors who react quickly to lineup news and take advantage of Live betting, as well as partners who embrace modern standards of content delivery.

Start preparing with 1xPartners now!