The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to become the largest betting event in history, with global wagering forecast to exceed $50 billion, according to new industry estimates.
The forecast comes from financial services firm Macquarie and was first reported by the BBC. If the estimate proves accurate, it would mark a sharp increase from the roughly $35 billion wagered during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Several factors are expected to drive growth, including an expanded tournament format, wider access to legal sports betting, and a larger number of matches.
FIFA World Cup betting forecast tops $50 billion
Macquarie estimates that around $500 million could be wagered on each match. The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from 32 previously. The expansion means fans will see more than 100 matches across six weeks, compared with 64 games in Qatar.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to become the largest betting event in history, with global wagers expected to exceed $50 billion, up from approximately $35 billion during the 2022 tournament.
— Juliet Njau (@NjauJuliet) June 11, 2026
The surge is attributed to the expanded format featuring 48 teams and 104…
Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament is also expected to benefit from viewing times that suit audiences across multiple regions, including Europe, Latin America, and Africa. For betting operators, more matches mean more opportunities to engage customers throughout the competition.
US sports betting market continues to grow
Much of the projected increase is linked to the rapid expansion of legal sports betting in the United States. Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports wagering in 2018, dozens of states have opened regulated betting markets. Macquarie estimates that around 65 percent of Americans can now legally place sports bets, compared with about 40 percent during the last World Cup.
The broader sports betting sector is also growing. According to the Sports Betting Market – Global Forecast 2026–2032 report, the market is expected to rise from $91.97 billion in 2025 to more than $205 billion by 2032.
That growth is being fuelled by developments such as in-play betting, virtual sports, and improved mobile betting technology. The 2026 tournament will therefore be the first men’s World Cup in which a majority of US adults have access to legal sportsbooks. With expanding access to platforms like top-rated US online casinos, more players can participate in the market than ever before.
Operators eye long-term gains
The World Cup is likely to deliver a short-term boost for bookmakers, but the bigger challenge will come afterwards. Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon said operators will be looking beyond the tournament itself, focusing on how many new customers continue betting once the competition ends.
Many sportsbooks use major sporting events to acquire users, while operators that also offer online casino products often have additional opportunities to retain customers after sign-up. That strategy has attracted criticism from some gambling harm groups, which argue that sporting events can act as a gateway to more frequent gambling activity.
Prediction markets face closer scrutiny
The betting forecast arrives at a time when US regulators are taking a closer look at prediction markets. This week, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) proposed tighter restrictions on contracts linked to terrorism, war, assassination, and other activities considered unlawful under federal or state law.
Prediction market platforms have attracted growing attention in recent years because they allow users to trade on the outcome of real-world events. The debate highlights a broader regulatory challenge as betting products, financial markets and online platforms continue to overlap in new ways.
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