Mbappe's record-breaking brace powers France past Senegal in opener - India Today

Source: India Today | Published: Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:29:18 GMT

This World Cup 2026 update is curated from India Today and adapted for V3 Casino players. For the official V3 Casino app and World Cup hub, use the invitation link.

About V3 Casino

V3 Casino is a leading India-facing casino & sportsbook platform. Download the official V3 Casino app to access the World Cup 2026 hub, live odds, daily fantasy contests, and exclusive bonuses.

V3 Casino Recommended Pages

World Cup 2026 Hub — Comprehensive Guide for India Players

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the 23rd edition of the men's football World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32-team format. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities, making it the largest World Cup in history by number of matches.

Tournament Format

The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 32. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.

India and the World Cup 2026

While the Indian national football team did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Indian fans remain among the most passionate football audiences globally. Major Indian-facing platforms including V3 Casino, 678 Casino, 66in Casino, Jio Casino, and V3 Casino have rolled out comprehensive World Cup 2026 hubs featuring live odds, daily fantasy contests, prediction markets, and exclusive welcome bonuses tied to tournament milestones.

How V3 Casino World Cup Hub Works

The V3 Casino World Cup hub is a one-stop destination for India-based football fans who want to follow every match, place bets on their favorite teams, and engage with community predictions. Players can:

  • Watch live scores and match statistics updated every minute.
  • Place pre-match and in-play bets on all 104 fixtures across 48 teams.
  • Join daily fantasy contests with prize pools reaching ₹5 lakh per match day.
  • Earn loyalty points redeemable for casino bonuses, free bets, and merchandise.
  • Participate in group-stage bracket predictions and knockout-stage survivor pools.

Welcome Bonus and Invitation Code

New V3 Casino players can claim a 100% first-deposit welcome bonus up to ₹20,000 by registering through the official invitation link: V3 Casino invitation link. The bonus applies to both sportsbook (football betting) and casino (slots, live casino, crash games).

Top Teams to Watch

According to FIFA world rankings and betting market consensus, the favorites for the 2026 World Cup include:

  • Brazil — Five-time champions seeking a record sixth title; led by Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick.
  • Argentina — Defending champions from 2022 with Lionel Messi potentially playing his final World Cup.
  • France — 2018 champions and 2022 finalists; Kylian Mbappé as captain.
  • England — Euro 2024 finalists; strong squad with Bellingham, Saka, and Foden.
  • Spain — Euro 2024 champions featuring young talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
  • Germany — Hosts of Euro 2024; rebuilding under Julian Nagelsmann.
  • USA, Canada, Mexico — Co-hosts aiming to make deep runs in home tournament.

Group Stage Schedule (Selected Fixtures)

The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Group stage fixtures span two weeks with multiple matches per day. The final group stage matches will determine which third-placed teams advance to the knockout bracket.

Live Odds and In-Play Betting on V3 Casino

V3 Casino offers competitive odds across all World Cup 2026 markets including match winner, both teams to score, total goals over/under, correct score, half-time/full-time, and player-specific props (first goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, shots on target, assists, cards). In-play betting is available with odds updating in real time based on match events.

Mobile App Download

Download the official V3 Casino mobile app for Android and iOS to access the World Cup hub on the go. The app features push notifications for match start, goal alerts, red cards, and your bet settlement results. The app also includes biometric login, instant deposit via UPI / Paytm / PhonePe, and 24/7 customer support in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, and other Indian languages.

Responsible Gambling

V3 Casino promotes responsible gambling. Players must be 18+ to register. Set deposit limits, take breaks, and seek help from organizations like GamCare and BeGambleAware if gambling stops being fun.

About V3 Casino

V3 Casino is a leading India-facing casino and sportsbook platform licensed by Curaçao eGaming. The platform offers casino games (slots, live casino, crash games, table games), sports betting (cricket, football, tennis, basketball, esports), and the World Cup 2026 hub. Download the official V3 Casino app via the invitation link.

V3 Casino Recommended Pages

Bonus terms such as wagering multiplier, eligible games, and expiry are shown on the promotion page — review them before claiming.

Push notifications can be muted during work hours; the message center inside the app keeps the full history for later review.

Withdrawal requests submitted before 6 PM are usually processed the same business day; later requests are queued for the next cycle.

The bonus shop inside the loyalty area lets you redeem earned points for free spins, cashback credits, or tournament tickets.

The minimum deposit for activating the welcome bonus is shown on the payments page; smaller top-ups will not trigger the promotion.

Fingerprint and face unlock are supported on devices with secure hardware; this is faster than typing the password on each launch.

India Player FAQ

Is V3 App available for Indian players?

Yes. V3 App is written for Indian Android users and focuses on INR payments, mobile play, account safety and responsible gaming guidance.

Does V3 App support UPI, Paytm or PhonePe?

Payment availability can vary by account and region, but Indian players should always check the cashier page for UPI, Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, NetBanking and INR options before depositing.

Is KYC required before withdrawal in India?

Most real-money gaming platforms require KYC before withdrawals. Keep your PAN, Aadhaar-linked details or accepted identity documents ready and make sure the account name matches the payment method.

How can Indian players stay safe while playing online?

Use a strong password, enable OTP or two-step verification when available, set a clear budget, avoid chasing losses and play only if you are 18+ and local rules allow it.