Sports Toto betting time for World Cup matches temporarily changed; Korean group stage games to open betting at 7 a.m.

Sports Toto, the operator of South Korea's sports betting lottery, will implement temporary changes to its betting hours for the national team's matches in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The adjustments will specifically apply to the group stage games involving the South Korean squad.

Starting with the group stage matches, the sales of betting tickets for these games will commence at 7 a.m. Korean time, an hour earlier than the usual 8 a.m. opening. This revised schedule is designed to allow fans more time to participate.

The decision comes in consideration of the match schedule, as South Korea's group stage games are set to take place on weekday mornings according to Korean Standard Time. The earlier sales opening aims to provide sports fans with a convenient window to place their bets before the kickoff.

This temporary measure reflects an effort by the lottery operator to cater to the enthusiasm surrounding the World Cup and ensure accessibility for fans eager to engage with the tournament through betting.