World Cup expected to be the biggest betting event in history
Macquarie says the 2026 Men's World Cup could draw more than $50bn in wagers worldwide, far above 2022 levels.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A new forecast says the expanded 2026 Men's World Cup could become the largest betting event ever, helped by more matches, US legalization, and favorable time zones. The piece also highlights warnings from gambling critics and tighter US regulation ahead.
The World Cup is like a giant sports fair, and lots of people may place bets on it this time. Because there are more games and more countries can bet legally, the betting pile could get very big, but critics warn many people lose money and can get hurt.
Analysis
Macquarie forecasts that the 2026 Fifa Men's World Cup will draw more than $50bn in wagers globally, up from about $35bn during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The firm expects roughly $500m in bets per match across a six-week event that now includes 48 teams and more than 100 games.
The report says the scale of the tournament is the main reason for the jump. More teams mean more matches, and the hosts in the US, Canada, and Mexico should also help because their time zones are more convenient for viewers in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. That wider audience can translate into more betting activity.
Macquarie analyst Chad Benyon also points to the growth of sports betting in the US. He says around 65% of the population can now legally bet on sports, compared with 40% in 2022, making this the first World Cup in which a majority of Americans can place bets.
The article does not present the boom as purely positive. Gambling awareness groups warn that most bettors lose money over time and that big events can push people toward more addictive forms of gambling. Les Bernal of Stop Predatory Gambling argues that many people will face debt and financial distress, while UK campaigner Matt Zarb-Cousin says bettors may be cross-promoted into more addictive casino products.
Macquarie also cautions that the World Cup may be only a short-lived boost for betting companies if they fail to turn one-time punters into repeat customers. The firm says operators with casino businesses on their platforms may benefit most. Separately, the article notes that US regulators are preparing stricter rules for online betting and trading platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which could affect the broader market.
Key points
- Macquarie expects more than $50bn in global wagers during the 2026 Men's World Cup.
- The forecast is far above the about $35bn bet during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
- The tournament will expand to 48 teams and more than 100 matches, which should lift betting activity.
- The US will be a bigger betting market this time because more Americans can legally wager on sports.
- Critics warn that large betting events can increase addiction and financial harm.
- US regulators are moving toward stricter rules for online betting and trading platforms.
If Macquarie's forecast proves right, betting companies could see a major revenue boost from the larger tournament and the bigger US market. Platforms with casino products may benefit most if they can convert World Cup bettors into long-term users.
The article says the surge could be temporary if betting firms cannot turn one-off World Cup punters into repeat customers. It also warns that more betting may lead to debt, financial distress, and stronger regulatory pushback, especially in the US.
