2026 World Cup expected to attract record wave of bets; goals, passes and even the foot used to score are included in the predictions

2026 World Cup.
Disclosure/Fifa
Sports betting is expected to generate more than US$50 billion (around R$251 billion) during the 2026 World Cup, according to estimates from industry experts. The value represents a jump compared to the tournament played in Qatar, in 2022, driven mainly by the expansion of the competition from 32 to 48 teams.
For David Stevens, director of public relations at the bookmaker Coral, the global reach and size of the tournament should transform it into the biggest betting event in history.
In addition to the increase in the number of games, experts point to a change in the behavior of bettors. According to Darren Small, vice-president of the sports technology company Sportradar, interest is no longer focused solely on the results of matches and has started to include the individual performance of players.
The expectation is for the growth of so-called special and personalized bets, known as "bet builders", which allow you to combine different predictions on a single ticket. Among the most sought after options are number of goals, assists, passes, tackles, corners and even the foot used to score.
"Customers create their own narratives for games, combining different events in a single bet", explained Small.
According to experts, this type of market has mainly attracted younger bettors, looking for more dynamic experiences.
Now on g1
Favorites for the title
According to Small, Argentina and France lead the preferences of gamblers around the world. England also appears among the most popular teams, fueling the expectation of ending a six-decade streak without winning the World Cup.
Among the players, strikers Kylian Mbappé, from France, and Erling Haaland, from Norway, are among the main candidates for the tournament's top scorer position.
A case that caught the attention of experts involves New Zealander Ben Waine. Despite not being the main star of his team, the striker appears among the ten most popular names to finish the competition as a goalscorer, in a move considered unusual by the market.
Messi lifts the World Cup trophy
Odd Andersen/AFP
Challenges and curiosities
Experts also point out challenges related to the timing of the matches, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Games held on the American West Coast should take place at less favorable times for the European public, although the expectation will be offset by the strong interest of bettors from South America.
So far, the market has shown little optimism with a victory for the United States, one of the host countries. Still, Small joked that, if the American team surprises and lifts the cup, bets on President Donald Trump's presence at the celebrations would probably gain prominence.
FILE PHOTO: The 2026 FIFA World Cup New York/New Jersey logo is revealed during the launch event in Times Square, New York, United States, on May 18, 2023.
Reuters/Brendan McDermid/Photo by archive
READ ALSO:
2026 World Cup: see when the tournament starts and ends

Source: G1