World Cup 2026 Betting Boom Forecast as Revenue Expected to Top $50 Billion

Betting revenue generated during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could exceed $50 billion, fuelled by the tournament’s expansion and growing interest in player-specific wagers, betting industry experts have said.

Darren Small, Managing Director of Managed Trading Services at Sportradar, told AFP that the event would likely become the largest betting spectacle in football history.

The 2026 edition, to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Small said the larger format, combined with changing betting habits, is expected to drive record-breaking revenues.

“We expect a lot of interest around the player props and what we call bet builders or custom bet options,” he said.

“So we’re anticipating that that’s going to be a big drive for us. We’re going to see a lot more interest on that.”

According to Small, bettors are increasingly interested in individual player achievements, from goals scored with a particular foot to passing and tackling statistics, rather than focusing solely on match results.

“Then subsequently the customers taking that and building out narratives like stories of ‘I think this game will be X team to win with both teams to score, player X scoring with his head and there being 15 corners’.”

Coral’s Head of Public Relations, David Stevens, also predicted a record-setting tournament for bookmakers.

“The sheer size and scale of this tournament will ensure it is the biggest betting event ever,” Stevens said.

He noted that Bet Builder products are among the bookmaker’s fastest-growing offerings, particularly with younger bettors looking for more interactive betting experiences.

Small revealed that Argentina and France currently attract the largest share of bets placed through Sportradar’s network of more than 250 sportsbook operators worldwide.

England, meanwhile, remains strongly backed by supporters hoping to see the Three Lions claim a first World Cup crown since 1966.

“They are in fact third favourites, behind only France and Spain, and should Thomas Tuchel end 60 years of hurt, we bookmakers will be facing a significant payout,” Stevens said.

The race for the Golden Boot is generating significant interest, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland among the most popular selections. Haaland alone accounts for more than 20 percent of betting volume and tickets, according to Small.

One unexpected contender attracting wagers is New Zealand striker Ben Waine, who plays for recently relegated English club Port Vale.

“We’ve seen a bit of a run on New Zealand’s centre forward into the top 10 of the betting for the World Cup,” Small said.

“It’s really strange, as in peculiar not sinister.”

The experts also pointed to scheduling challenges caused by the tournament’s vast geographical spread, particularly for viewers in Europe.

“The West Coast games will put a bit of pressure on that because they’re going to be difficult to follow for the people that are trying to follow from Europe,” Small explained.

Despite the United States not being among the leading favourites, Stevens joked about the political implications of a shock triumph.

“Should the USA defy odds of 40-1 and lift the trophy, expect very short odds about the President being at the centre of the celebrations!” he said.

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