The World Cup will push betting to a record near USD 50 billion
The global sports betting industry is preparing for a World Cup that could rewrite all known financial records. Leading online sportsbooks project that revenues linked to the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada will exceed the USD 50 billion mark, a figure that would far surpass the numbers from Qatar 2022 and solidify the Cup as the largest betting event in history. This estimate is based on a combination of technical, sporting, and market factors converging in a single event.
According to projections released by Sportradar through its Senior Vice President Darren Small, online sportsbooks will see a 42.86% increase in profits compared to the Qatar tournament. This jump is directly related to the expansion of the format to 48 teams compared to the 32 in the previous edition, a decision that multiplies the number of matches, available markets, and time windows in which the public in each region can place bets.
Personalization, Star Players, and Bet Builders
Beyond the volume of matches, operators see a transformation in betting behavior. According to Small, user interest is no longer concentrated on the pure outcome of each match but has extended to individual players and custom-built special markets. Lionel Messi seeking his second Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo attempting to win his with Portugal, and Lamine Yamal projecting his consecration with Spain appear as the names attracting the most individual bets, covering goals, shots on target, fouls, and other real-time statistics.
The Sportradar executive anticipated strong growth in markets known as bet builders, personalized options that allow combining several events within the same match. Variables such as which player scores with their right or left foot, how many passes they complete, or how many tackles they make are gaining ground over traditional betting. In the same vein, David Stevens, Head of PR at the English sportsbook Coral, stated that the size and scope of the tournament guarantee it will be the largest betting event on record and emphasized that à la carte bets attract a younger customer base seeking more dynamic experiences.
Argentina and France Among the Money Favorites
The map of favorites according to betting flows also sets the pre-tournament mood. Argentina and France lead the predictions in terms of money wagered, while England appears third, driven by the local base that supports Coral and the rest of the British operators. A potential English triumph, according to Stevens, would generate a significant payout for bookmakers, although he warned that the increasingly global nature of the business cushions the financial impact of a surprise in any regional market.
In the race for the top scorer, money is concentrated on France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland, although sportsbooks report significant bets on Latin American names. The clash between stars, personalized formats, and permanent availability of live markets ultimately explains the magnitude of the jump operators expect compared to previous editions.
Latin America as a Growth Engine
The USD 50 billion projection comes at a pivotal moment for Latin America. Brazil has just inaugurated its regulated market, Mexico is preparing to host matches, Argentina has consolidated provincial regulations, and countries like Peru, Colombia, and Chile are advancing at different levels of regulatory frameworks. The World Cup will arrive with a predominantly betting public, increasingly mature payment infrastructure, and local and global operators determined to capture the peak demand, positioning the region as one of the main drivers of the anticipated global record by the industry.
Tags: United States, 2026 World Cup betting, Sportradar World Cup, bet builders LatAm, sports betting LatAm