See what Vivatbet ambassador Ken Doherty has to say on the 2026 World Cup, as new customers can bet €10 and get €50 in free bets!
The global football landscape is witnessing its most gruelling, chaotic, and exhilarating journey yet. The 2026 World Cup has featured a staggering 104-game marathon across North America. For Irish football fans, however, the tournament carries a familiar, bittersweet sting: the festival kicked off without the Boys in Green.
To help Irish punters navigate this uncharted territory, Vivatbet sat down with a man who understands the psychological edge of elite sport better than most, former World Snooker Champion and Vivatbet Ambassador, Ken Doherty.
If anyone comprehends the cold-blooded nerve required to pot a championship-winning black in front of a silent, breathless Crucible, it’s Ken. He knows exactly what it takes to step up and slot a 90th-minute penalty in front of 80,000 screaming fans
The New Order: 48-Team Mayhem
The 2026 tournament introduces a convoluted structure featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups, leading into a massive 32-team knockout stage. It is a relentless, high-stakes marathon where safety nets are thin and slip-ups are punished.
Ken’s Angle: "The new format reminds me a lot of the expanded, modern snooker tour structures. You have to build momentum early, but you also need massive endurance. Football and snooker are both highly skilful and deeply tactical. Both require players to stay perfectly calm under extreme pressure conditions. While football is a team sport, individual brilliance, just like a standard-setting session in snooker, can instantly change matches. Practice and routine are so important."
The Favourites
While traditional heavyweights dominate the conversation, current form suggests vulnerabilities that Irish punters should watch closely. France boasts terrifying squad depth, while Argentina remains deeply dependent on the enduring genius of Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Spain has faced questions over a minor possession crisis following an unexpected 0-0 stalemate with Cape Verde, and for Irish fans, England's campaign brings the usual Declan Rice-related angst.
Ken’s Verdict: "Spain are rightly favourites for the World Cup, but I'm expecting France, Argentina and Brazil to be there also."
The "Crucible of Chaos"
The tournament will be decided by psychology. Stepping up to take a penalty in a shootout, or blocking out 80,000 roaring fans at the MetLife Stadium or the Azteca, requires a rare breed of mental fortitude.
- Maximum Breaks: Ken identifies players like Vinícius Jr, Mbappé, and Haaland as the "maximum breaks" of football—they possess the explosive capability to win a game in a 5-second burst of genius.
- The Ken Doherty Mentality: Midfielders like Declan Rice (England) or Rodri (Spain) act as the "Ken Doherty" of the pitch; they don't panic and they recycle possession like they are playing positional snooker.
- Stage Fright: History casts a long shadow. England’s historically abysmal penalty record remains a risk compared to Germany’s robotic, cold routine in shootout scenarios.
The Dark Horses: Ken’s Picks vs. The Analytics
Data models point toward high-pressing, structured teams like Norway (Haaland/Ødegaard), Japan, Ecuador, and Senegal as primary value options. However, tournament experience often trumps raw data.
Ken’s Dark Horses: "My dark horses are Portugal, Germany and Uruguay."
Vivat Sign Up Offer: Bet €10 Get €50 in Free Bets
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- How to Claim: Simply register an account, deposit, and place a qualifying bet of €10 or more on any World Cup market.
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(Terms and conditions apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only. See site for full details.)
The Final Whistle
Doherty says, "My favourite World Cup moments are Brazil winning in 2002, Maradona and Argentina in 1986 and Messi and Argentina in 2022. One I watched from behind the sofa was Dave O'Leary’s penalty v Romania in Italy in 1990; the whole country held its breath."
