Irena Ducic

The World Cup is football’s biggest spectacle. Every four years, it brings together communities, unites fanbases, and inspires generations.From dramatic last-minute winners and renewed rivalries to giant-killings, underdogs, historic hat-tricks, and stunning comebacks, every tournament provides unforgettable memories.But few resonate quite like the hometown hero: the player who steps onto the global stage and becomes a local legend, bringing pride and joy to a community thousands of miles away.That’s why we created Players Postcode, a new data study commissioned ahead of this summer’s tournament.By exploring the regional roots of players, the research uncovers the countries, cities, states, and clubs that have produced the most World Cup heroes across the men’s and women’s game since 1950.Which Places Have Produced the Most World Cup Winners?There have been 616 World Cup winners from 348 different cities, states or towns across the globe. In total, eight different nations have won the men’s World Cup, and five have lifted the women’s World Cup.Looking at overall success since 1950 across men's and women’s tournaments, ​Brazil leads the way with 111 winners, the most of any country in the world. Germany follows closely with 110, ahead of the United States (84), Argentina (70), Spain (46) and France and Italy (45).Zooming in further, South America’s major cities have proven to be consistent hotspots for local legends, based on the birthplaces of World Cup winners analysed by AskGamblers.São Paulo stands out at the city level, responsible for 36 World Cup winners, the most of any city worldwide. This accounts for 5.9% of all champions, or roughly three in every 50 winners.Brazil’s two most populous cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, together account for 62 World Cup champions, around one in every 10 globally.Elsewhere, the capitals of both Argentina and Uruguay have been similarly successful. Buenos Aires (29) has produced one in every 20 winners (4.7%), and Montevideo (20) is the hometown of the third-highest number of World Cup winners since 1950.The Places That Have Produced the Most World Cup Stars for EnglandA total of 349 players have represented England at a World Cup since 1950, with 340 players born in 137 different locations across the country.One in every 20 World Cup stars for the Three Lions or Lionesses was born in Liverpool (17), followed by Manchester (12), County Durham (9) and Sheffield (9).The two biggest cities in the North West of England have produced one in 12 (8.3%) stars to represent England at the World Cups.​Newham was found to be the best-producing London borough, with eight players, including Ezri Konsa, Johnny Haynes and Ledley King, growing up in the East London area.One in every eight players representing England at a men’s World Cup played for Manchester United when called up, making the Red Devils the most represented of any club team.Additionally, twice as many Man Utd players (46) have represented England at the tournament, compared to local rivals Manchester City (23).The traditional ‘top six’ Premier League clubs make up over half (51%) of the players to have represented the Three Lions at a men’s World Cup, with 51 different teams having had players represent England at the tournament since 1950.Glasgow Has Produced the Most World Cup Stars for ScotlandThe Scottish men’s team will be competing at a World Cup for the first time since 1998 this summer, taking the tally of players to represent Scotland at a World Cup for either the men’s or women’s team to 186.Twenty-nine different locations in Scotland have generated World Cup stars, but almost one in every four (22.6%) are from Glasgow. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, ranked second, producing almost one in 10 (8.6%) players, followed by South Lanarkshire, where one in 12 (7.5%) players were produced. Celtic (24) is the best-represented club, with one in every eight players to represent the men’s national team at a World Cup having played their club football at Celtic Park. This is followed by Aberdeen (19) and Rangers (15).Liverpool are the best-represented Premier League club in Scotland’s World Cup squad, with one in every 25 players (4.46%) having been playing their club football at Anfield when called up.The States That Have Created the Most USMNT and USWNT PlayersThe United States are part of a trio of host nations for this year’s men’s tournament, with the USMNT squad for this year’s tournament set to take the number of players to represent America on football’s biggest stage to 270.Our research found that just 58% of US states have had representation at a World Cup. Out of 270 players, 235 who represented either the USMNT or USWNT were born in the United States, from across 29 states and Washington, D.C.Over one in every five (20.7%) of America’s World Cup stars were produced in California. The Golden State was responsible for producing 56 stars of the USMNT and USWNT, the most of any state.New Jersey (20) and New York (15) are the second and third highest producing states. New Jersey is also the most successful state on average, with 0.27% of residents per thousand selected to represent the US at a World Cup.Why This Data Matters  Footballers are heroes, idols, and inspirations to millions around the world. By recognising and highlighting their roots, AskGamblers hopes to ensure that the increasingly global game maintains a local connection and continues to offer a unique sense of pride and joy to fans in towns and cities around the world.Methodology and Sources  AskGamblers compiled a list of all players who have represented England, Scotland, and the USA at a men’s or women’s World Cup since 1950, then used Wikipedia to identify each player's birthplace.In the US, each birthplace was assigned to the relevant state. In England and Scotland, each birthplace was assigned to the relevant local authority area using the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) geographical classifications. Depending on the location, this meant categorising players by city, unitary authority, metropolitan borough, or the equivalent ONS administrative area.To account for differences in population size, we used the latest figures for each area's adult population to calculate the number of World Cup players produced per capita. These locations were ranked by their rate of representation, allowing us to identify where most World Cup players were produced relative to their current adult populations.We additionally compiled a list of all players who have won the World Cup and used Wikipedia to identify each player's birthplace. We grouped players by city and ranked them by total wins to reveal the cities that produced the most World Cup winners.*Please note: All data is solely for informational and editorial purposes only and is based on the club a player was at when named in a 26-man squad. World Cup winners data is based on the total number of player World Cup wins since 1950.

As of 2025, 10% of the UK population takes part in regular betting, both online and offline, with sports betting leading the way. In fact, the UK sports betting market generates an estimated £2.48 billion annually. Yet, despite these high numbers, one issue sits quietly beneath the surface: the stigma of seeking advice and talking openly about betting behaviours.To better understand why, we conducted a survey of 500 UK-based sports bettors, exploring how people feel about asking for advice, how stigma affects their behaviour and what might help bettors to open up. Responses were segmented by age and gender to uncover how perception, confidence, and caution vary among UK bettors.At its core, this campaign aims to create understanding, reduce stigma, and empower bettors to make confident, responsible choices. By listening to how people really feel about gambling, we can help shape the next chapter of a more open, self-aware betting culture in the UK.How Often Do Bettors Seek Advice?Seeking advice when betting can provide perspective, accountability, and strategic insight. These are all things that are often harder to maintain when keeping your betting habits to yourself.While seeking advice might seem like a simple step, our research shows that many bettors rarely do it.Almost half (49%) of Brits say they don’t typically ask for help from friends or professionals when placing a sports bet, with over a quarter (29%) of UK sports bettors never asking for help from friends or professionals when placing a bet.This means the majority of bettors operate in isolation, trusting instinct over shared experience or informed guidance.Gender also plays a role. Male bettors are more reluctant to seek advice, with 31% saying they never ask for help, compared to 26% of women. This may reflect social norms that frame advice-seeking as weakness, with some men equating it with a lack of confidence rather than a smart step toward better decisions.Respondents aged over sixty-five are the least likely to seek help, with more than half (55%) always betting independently. In contrast, 18 to 34-year-olds appear more comfortable discussing their choices, with just 18% saying they always place bets alone.These findings suggest that advice-seeking in betting isn’t just about knowledge; it's about confidence, perception, and connection.Encouraging bettors to share experiences and seek guidance can reframe advice-seeking from a sign of weakness into a mark of strength, one that supports smarter, more informed decisions.But if advice can improve outcomes, why do so many still hold back?The Stigma of Asking for HelpEven when advice is clearly beneficial, many bettors hesitate to seek it, not because they don’t want help, but because of how they fear it might be perceived.Discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness strongly shape whether people ask for support. Third-party research shows stigma is felt most by younger adults, women, and minority groups, with 62% of Brits believing people with gambling issues are judged negatively.Our survey reflects this: over a third of UK sports bettors (32%) feel uncomfortable asking for advice, and 11% feel embarrassed about it.Women report slightly more discomfort than men (33% vs 31%), and fewer women than men are willing to ask for advice (54% vs 60%).Women are also more likely to protect their reputation by downplaying their betting (52% vs 47%) or hiding how often they bet (13% vs 10%).Stigma extends beyond advice-seeking. Nearly half of Brits (49%) admit to downplaying their activity to protect their reputation, 11% hide how often they bet, and 18% conceal spending. Among 18-24 year-olds, that rises to 75%. Women are also more likely than men to hide spending (19% vs 17%).These findings show that stigma isn’t just about hiding losses. It’s about identity, reputation, and self-image. Bettors often avoid asking for advice or underreport their activity until something forces change, like a major loss.What Triggers Openness for UK Bettors?Many bettors delay asking for help, sometimes until it’s far too late. Over a third of UK sports bettors (34%) would rather lose money than seek advice. Among men, the figure is 34% (compared to 33% among women), and it rises sharply to 43% among 18-24-year-olds.One in three (30%) only open up after a big loss, with 17% admitting they do so reluctantly. Shockingly, more than one in ten (12%) never confides in anyone about their betting habits, even after major losses. Broken down by gender, women are more likely than men to delay conversations on their habits until losses mount (19% vs 9%), while nearly half of bettors aged 18-24 and 25-35 admit to only speaking up after a significant setback (46% vs 45%).Some refuse professional help entirely, as 13% of UK bettors say they wouldn’t seek it, no matter how much they lost in a week. Others set thresholds: almost a quarter (24%) would need to lose £100 a week before reaching out, while 18% say losses would need to hit £500.So what finally pushes bettors to open up?The tipping point is almost always money.Nearly half of UK bettors (47%) say that fears of debt would prompt them to seek help, rising to 50% among those under 25. For 25-34 year olds, debt is the top trigger (42%), while 45-54 year olds are most worried about missing rent, bills, or mortgage payments (33%).The message is clear: waiting for a major loss makes the harm worse. Early openness helps prevent financial, emotional, and relational fallout, keeping bettors in control and making safer choices.And when they do decide to open up, the question becomes: who do they turn to?Who Are the Preferred Support Systems for UK Bettors?Opening up about betting habits is vital for both financial stability and mental well-being. But who do bettors trust most when they need support?For many, it’s personal connections. A close friend is the top choice, with 37% confiding in someone they trust.Professional help, however, remains far less common: only 12% turn to a GP or mental health specialist, and just 18% feel comfortable speaking with a therapist or online service.Gender shapes support-seeking, too. Men are most likely to confide in a close friend, while women turn first to a partner or spouse. Women are slightly less likely than men to approach a GP (11% vs 13%), while men are more inclined to engage with betting communities (15% vs 13%).Generational differences are also clear. Younger bettors (18-24) lean on family members, those aged 24-54 prefer close friends, and over-65s are least likely to seek support at all.The reliance on personal networks highlights a gap: while friends and family can provide emotional reassurance, professional support offers the expertise needed to address underlying issues and prevent harms from escalating. Normalising professional help, alongside openness with loved ones, could encourage earlier intervention, protecting bettors’ finances, mental health, and long-term wellbeing.Introducing AskGamblers Talks with Liz Karter, MBEThe latest research shows that only one in 200 people who engage in harmful gambling seek access to specialist treatment to combat addiction.In light of this, AskGamblers has teamed up with one of the UK’s leading therapists specialising in gambling addiction, Liz Karter, MBE. Featuring on AskGamblers Talks, Liz will take part in a six-part series that allows those who are unable to seek support to get help from the comfort of their own homes within their ultimate safe space. It will include Liz answering real, anonymous questions from bettors, offering expert advice on opening up and staying in control.The first instalment will include advice on the most requested theme: How to stay in control and avoid overspending, as over a third (36%) of Brits expressed an interest in needing help relating to this issue.Make sure to tune in and hear what Liz has to say about the most pressing issues bettors highlighted in our survey.MethodologyWe commissioned a survey of 500 UK-based sports bettors using TLF, with data divided by age and gender. The survey was conducted in October 2025. Other Sources MentionedLimelight digitalNational Centre for Social ResearchIpsos

For the days when you don’t feel like taking too much risk with your bet, but you’d still like to have some fun, the double chance betting market could be the right choice for you.Double chance is a market that lets you bet on a match of your choice, but at a lower risk than many other markets. As the name itself suggests, you would have a double chance at getting your bet right.It is a betting market that is only offered for football because football is the only popular sport that allows three potential outcomes of a game. Instead of thinking about how to bet on sports you know little about but seem less risky at the moment, choose a less risky bet.So, what is double chance in football betting? Read on to learn more about this market.Defining the Double Chance BetThe double chance market is designed for bettors who prefer to play a safer bet, especially if they have doubts about the match outcome. What is a double chance in football betting?A double chance bet covers two potential outcomes of the football match, giving you better chances of winning.Of course, the odds will be accordingly lower as the market is less risky than the classic winner (1X2) market, where you select only one final outcome of the match. If you prefer lower-risk markets when betting on sports, this could be the right option for you.The Three Double Chance Markets (1X, X2, 12)Since the match winner market in football has three possible outcomes, the double chance market also features three combinations. Although they seem pretty straightforward, let’s explain briefly the double chance meaning for each market:1X: This market says that the home team will win the match, or it will end in a draw. Depending on the odds for the home team, the odds for this market will be lower or higher than those for the X2 market for the same match.X2: Betting on this market, you predict that the match will either end in a draw or that the away team will win.12: If you are really unsure about who could win the match, and there is no clear favourite, you can choose the market that covers victories for both teams.The double chance market is rarely attractive for single bets, unless you are a high roller, where low odds can bring some profit thanks to high wagers. If you wish to wager on the double chance bet, our advice is to seek value with other betting types, such as accumulators.Double Chance Betting in Practice: ExamplesAs you know, double chance betting is only used for football matches, so you can only find the available odds for football betting. Let’s see some examples of how the market works when there is a clear favourite in the match, or when the teams are assessed to be a bit closer in terms of quality.Note that we have borrowed the odds from one of our bookmaker partners to better illustrate the double chance betting market.Example no.1: AC Milan vs AS RomaMatch winner market odds: AC Milan 2.05, Draw 3.15, AS Roma 3.85Double chance odds: AC Milan or Draw 1.22, Draw or AS Roma 1.73, AC Milan or AS Roma 1.36Example no. 2: Burnley vs ArsenalMatch winner market odds: Burnley 10.00, Draw 5.50, Arsenal 1.27Double chance odds: Burnley or Draw 3.80, Draw or Arsenal 1.06, Burnley or Arsenal 1.13Example no. 3: Tottenham Hotspur vs ChelseaMatch winner market odds: Tottenham 2.65, Draw 3.50, Chelsea 2.45Double chance odds: Tottenham or Draw 1.50, Draw or Chelsea 1.44, Tottenham or Chelsea 1.29These examples show what the odds look like when there is a slight favourite in the match, when one team is a clear favourite, and when the bookmaker expects a close game and gives similar chances to both teams.It’s clear the value lies in the third match, but it is also the riskiest when it comes to selecting the side to back.When to Use a Double Chance Wager for Maximum ValueSince the double chance bet doesn’t bring much return on your wager because of typically low odds, you need to come up with a strategy to make the most of your bet. The strategy will, of course, depend on your betting style and preferences.If you need some suggestions when it comes to betting on football, you can consult our betting tips for some match previews and betting recommendations.Identifying High-Value OpportunitiesWe have already pointed out that the double chance market often doesn’t offer much value in terms of odds for a single match, unlike the winner market or, for US bettors, the moneyline market.📖 Deeper Dive: If you are curious about how moneyline in betting works and what even or pick’em is, you can read our guide and get all the information you need for your bet. However, there are ways to get a little more from your bet. You should do your research here and pick matches with better odds. How do you do that?First, you need to know that those odds won’t be sky high, as it is, after all, a double chance market. Look for matches where two rivals are close in terms of the chances they have of winning, or big derbies, because the odds might be better there.Games where there is much at stake could also be a good choice here, especially if the teams are of similar quality or play a similar style of football, either defensively or in terms of scoring a lot of goals.Leveraging the Market With AccumulatorsAnother way to increase the potential return when betting on the double chance market is to make an accumulator bet. In that way, you increase the cumulative odds of your bet by adding multiple selections to your bet slip. Bookmakers also often give accumulator boost bonuses that increase with the number of legs you add to your accumulator. These bonuses can go up to 100%, but you would need at least 20 selections on your betslip to get that offer.Considerations for Using Double ChanceThis accumulator strategy is not without its additional risks, though. Adding multiple selections to your accumulator means that all of them must win for your bet to be a winning one. If you are not chasing big wins, then adding a smaller number of selections would be less risky.Since the odds on double chance markets are not too generous, bettors are also tempted to increase the wager on these bets to increase their potential winnings from this bet.💡AskGamblers tip: Be careful about increasing your wager on the double chance accumulator bets, as you don’t want to end up chasing losses in case your bet loses. You should also avoid betting on lopsided matches as the odds on a favourite are typically low.Double Chance vs Other Low-Risk BetsWhen we talk about lower-risk bets, we must start by pointing out that all bets are risky, and the odds are there to tell you just how risky they are. Apart from the double chance market, the Draw No Bet (DNB) market could also be considered to be on the lower end of the risk scale.The DNB market can offer even slightly higher odds than the double chance, but it means that you would get your stake back in case of a draw, not a payout on your bet.Handicap markets are also designed to level the grounds a bit and give a slight push to the underdogs. While they can’t really be considered bets with the lowest risks, they can bring you extra value. We suggest that you read more about handicap in betting and how the market works before you decide on your next bet. Good luck!

Let’s imagine this situation: it is a Premier League matchday, and you wish to wager on three matches and put all three selections on the same bet slip. All that’s left is to decide on the type of bet.The first thing you should know is that not every three-selection bet is the same. The most risky one is a three-fold accumulator (or a treble bet), where you’d need all your selections to win to get a return on your bet.If you’d like a less risky option, then a Trixie bet could be your choice. So, what is a Trixie bet, and what should you know about it?How Does a Trixie Bet Work?A Trixie bet is a three-selection bet, made up of four separate bets. The three selections (A, B and C) form three double bets and one treble: AB, BC, AC and ABC. That’s the structure, but how does a Trixie bet work?Since there are no single bets in a Trixie, you’d need at least two selections to win to get some return from your wager. It doesn’t matter which two selections, but it’s better if it’s the ones with better odds. The best-case scenario is, of course, that all three selections win, and you get a full return.These multiple bets are commonly used for betting on sports or events where there are multiple matches or races in a day, such as a football or basketball league. It is also a good solution for horse racing, especially since you can make your selections into each-way bets.From Theory to Practice: Trixie Bet ExampleRemember the Trixie bet example from the beginning of this text with three Premier League matches you wish to bet on this weekend? Well, let’s add them to an imaginary Trixie bet to see how your bet would work in practice.The first market you choose has odds of 2.50, the second has odds of 2.25, and the third has odds of 3.10. Your total wager is €100 (€25 per individual bet). If all three selections win, that means that all four bets of your Trixie win, and you get a €944.69 total return on your bet.If the 2.50 selection loses, your return drops to €174.38 because only one double bet wins, so the calculation goes: 25*2.25*3.10. We advise you to use our Trixie bet calculator to calculate the potential returns for all the combinations in your bet.If you find a horse race to bet on, or multiple races in a day, the principle will be the same. If you make your selections each way and include the place bets as well, the calculation will change, so you should consult the calculator again to figure out your potential winnings.Trixie vs Patent Bet – What’s the Difference?The first thing you should know is that both Trixie and Patent bets are three-selection bets. However, they work differently in a way that the three selections form four bets in a Trixie, and seven bets in a Patent.The difference is that there are no single bets in a Trixie, but there are three singles in a Patent, alongside three doubles and one treble bet that we also find in a Trixie. Another difference is that your total stake is then divided into seven parts to cover the wager on each bet in a Patent, making your potential return lower than that from a Trixie bet. While you need at least two selections to win to get something back from a Trixie bet, only one selection needs to be victorious to get a small return on a Patent bet. It does mean that you get at least something back from your wager, but that is a small part of your stake.Trixie Bet: the Good, the Bad, and the RiskyWe have covered the basics so far, so you have a Trixie bet explained and an example that shows you how it works in practice. But how does it fare when compared to other bet types with the same number of selections?Three-selection bets are a Trixie bet, a Patent bet and a treble. They are all different types of bets in many aspects, and picking the right one will depend on your preference and the amount of risk you are willing to take for potentially making a profit.Here’s a short comparison between these types of bets:A Patent could be considered slightly less risky than a Trixie because you only need one selection to win to get a small return on your bet.Your profit would be smaller from a Patent than from a Trixie bet, even if all three of your selections won.Treble is the most risky of the three, as you need all your selections to win to get a payout from your wager.Since treble is the most risky, it therefore carries the biggest potential return on your wager in the short term.While one type of bet is suitable in one situation, it might not be the best solution for a different occasion. Make sure to assess the risk and the potential return to decide on the best option for you and the bet you are looking to make.Smart Betting: When to Go with a TrixieIf you are looking for a bet that is less risky than a treble bet, but potentially a little more profitable than a Patent, then Trixie could be the right choice for you.Here are some useful tips on how to place a Trixie bet:Ensure that the bookmaker you chose allows Trixies, as not all of them do.Pick a sport you wish to bet on and find the events. Trixies are suitable for all sports, and they could be especially attractive for horse racing bettors.Set a budget for betting before making your bet. Don’t forget that your stake will be divided into four equal parts to cover all four bets in a Trixie.Pick the three selections you wish to add to your bet, and select the Trixie bet.Place your bet and wait for the outcome.Our advice is to go with a Trixie when you are not entirely confident that your selections are going to be victorious, but you are willing to give them a try. Of course, the nature of sports betting is such that there is always risk involved, it’s just a matter of how much you wish to risk.If even a Trixie seems too risky, consider finding different selections with lower odds. If you wish to remain with your original selection, opt for a Patent, but prepare for lower potential returns.