The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway. For the first time in history, the world’s largest football tournament is being jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also the first World Cup to feature 48 participating nations, generating even greater excitement among people around the globe.
Across the world, millions of people gather to watch matches, often accompanied by discussions about tactics and strategies. Football has indeed become a universal language capable of bringing together people of different nations, ethnicities, and cultures.
Islam does not prohibit sports or beneficial forms of entertainment. In fact, sports can serve as a means of maintaining health, strengthening brotherhood, and fostering sportsmanship. Therefore, enjoying football matches as a form of recreation is permissible, provided that it does not cause one to neglect religious obligations or involve anything prohibited by Islamic teachings.
However, behind the excitement of the World Cup lies a phenomenon that deserves serious attention: the widespread practice of gambling disguised as score predictions, match betting, and various forms of online wagering that capitalize on football enthusiasm.
Many people who initially intend only to watch a match eventually become tempted to place bets in hopes of earning quick profits. Yet this is precisely where the danger often begins.
The Qur’an explicitly prohibits gambling. Allah says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾
“O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and divining arrows are but filth from the work of Satan. So avoid them that you may be successful.” (QS. al-Mā’idah [5]: 90).
This verse clearly establishes that gambling is forbidden. It describes gambling as rijs (an abomination) and as part of Satan’s schemes. The prohibition indicates that gambling is not merely an economic issue but also a source of moral and spiritual corruption.
Allah further states:
﴿إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ﴾
“Satan only seeks to create enmity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?” (QS. al-Mā’idah [5]: 91).
This verse explains that gambling can generate hostility, resentment, addiction, and negligence toward worship. Countless families have been torn apart, friendships damaged, and financial stability destroyed because of gambling habits.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also issued a stern warning regarding all forms of gambling. In a hadith, he said:
مَنْ قَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ تَعَالَ أُقَامِرْكَ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ
“Whoever says to his companion, ‘Come, let us gamble,’ should give charity.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith demonstrates how seriously Islam regards gambling. Even inviting someone to gamble is considered blameworthy enough to require expiation through charity, let alone actually participating in it.
Today, gambling is often disguised under modern terms such as betting, sportsbooks, prediction games with prizes, or online wagering. Yet its essence remains unchanged: risking money on the uncertain outcome of an event with the possibility of gain or loss. In Islamic jurisprudence, such practices fall under the category of maisir (gambling), which is prohibited.
Therefore, the World Cup should be embraced in a positive manner. We may enjoy the matches, admire the skills of the players, learn from tactical approaches, and share in the excitement of the sport. However, all of this should remain within the boundaries established by Islamic teachings.
