United States World Cup drives record betting surge
PUBLISHED Jun 25, 2026, 4:07 PM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
United States – The 2026 World Cup is already setting sports gambling records even before the knockout stage, with an expanded 48-nation, 104-match format and market-favourable kickoff times driving what industry leaders say will be unprecedented betting activity. Analysts and operators expect the tournament to far surpass the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, supported by the rapid growth of regulated sports betting, broader and more sophisticated betting products, and the scale of the market in co-host nation the United States. Macquarie forecasts that total wagers on the tournament will exceed $50 billion globally, compared with about $35 billion staked on the previous edition. United States – Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest online betting company and owner of brands including FanDuel, Paddy Power, Betfair, Sisal, Sportsbet and Sky Bet, said the enlarged competition is lifting engagement not only in the United States but also in key markets such as Britain, Spain, Brazil, Australia and Canada. A Flutter spokesperson said the group expects the World Cup to be the biggest betting event of all time, helped by the extended format and partial hosting in its core U.S. market. The company anticipates around 10 million customers across its platforms and plans to manage about 100,000 bets per minute at peak moments, with overall staking at least double the levels recorded during the Qatar tournament.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 2022 Qatar World Cup generates $35 billion wagers
- 2022 Legal U.S. betting access near 40 percent
- Early 2026 Expanded 48‑nation World Cup confirmed
- Early 2026 Macquarie projects over $50 billion wagers
- Early 2026 Flutter targets 10 million betting customers
- Early 2026 Company expects staking at least double
- Early 2026 Peak volumes reach 100,000 bets minute
- Tournament period Brazil, U.S. opening matches set records
News Intelligence
- The 2026 World Cup could be a game-changer for sports betting. With an expanded format and U.S. hosting, it's expected to draw record wagers. If you're a betting enthusiast, this means more options and excitement. Just remember to bet responsibly.
Comments