Betting on the 2026 World Cup: How Much Americans Will Wager

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a massive event not only for soccer fans but also for those interested in sports betting. With the tournament being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, millions of people are expected to place wagers on the matches, goals, and eventual champion. According to new forecasts, betting figures are projected to reach record-breaking levels.

Market intelligence provider H2 Gambling Capital predicts that nearly $3 billion will be wagered in the U.S. through online sportsbooks during the World Cup. This is just a fraction of the estimated $60 billion that could be bet globally, marking a significant 71% increase compared to the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. It’s important to note that H2’s estimate only covers legal sportsbooks in the U.S., excluding dot-com sites.

Another forecast by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming suggests a base case of $2.82 billion in online wagers for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. This estimate is based on the assumption that the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) reaches either the Round of 32 or the Round of 16 before being eliminated from the tournament.

The expansion of the World Cup format to include 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions, is expected to drive more betting action. Combined with the growing popularity of app-based sports betting and prediction markets, the 2026 World Cup is anticipated to be one of the biggest moments in sports gambling history.

Eilers & Krejcik Gaming has forecasted a range of scenarios for total U.S. wagers on the World Cup, with estimates ranging from $2.32 billion to $4.33 billion. The outcome of the USMNT in the tournament is expected to influence the level of betting activity, with deeper runs by the team likely to attract more bets. However, the U.S. team has not advanced to the quarterfinals since 2002.

Major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel are expected to handle a significant portion of the World Cup bets, with around 70% of the wagers projected to be placed on these platforms. The excitement around the tournament extends beyond just the outcome of the matches, with betting action also focusing on individual player performances.

Betting odds for the World Cup winner currently favor teams like Spain, France, England, Brazil, and Portugal. In addition to team outcomes, bets are also being placed on the leading goalscorer of the tournament. Players like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lamine Yamal are among the top contenders for the “Golden Boot.”

Prediction market platforms have seen a surge in popularity since the last World Cup, with users now able to bet on sports-related event markets. These platforms allow users to purchase contracts on yes or no outcomes for various sports events, including the World Cup. Analysts note that prediction market volume cannot be directly compared to sports betting figures due to the nature of how trades are conducted on these platforms.

DeFi Rate, a research and analytics website, estimates that American customers will trade $2.5 billion on prediction market platforms for the World Cup, with a significant portion of that volume expected on game days. Future-looking bets on prediction markets, such as predicting the tournament winner, are gaining traction among users who can cash out their trades as the tournament progresses.

Overall, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to be a monumental event for sports betting, with millions of fans expected to participate in the excitement and anticipation of the tournament.