Soccer fans aren’t the only ones gearing up for kickoff. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to attract over $50B in global wagers, making it the largest betting event ever recorded, according to Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon. That’s a sharp jump from the ~$35B wagered during Qatar 2022.
- Deutsche Bank estimates the US will account for ~$3.3B in World Cup betting handle, with Flutter expected to capture ~$1.3B and DraftKings about $1.1B.
- Macquarie sees FIFA boosting 2027 operator EBITDA by 2% to 5%, with Flutter, Super Group, and Rush Street Interactive among the biggest beneficiaries.
Betting’s stress test: Despite the tournament tailwind, cracks are forming. US sports betting handle revenue slipped 3.1% YoY in Q1, lawmakers have raised taxes across multiple states, and prediction markets like Kalshi are increasingly competing for bettors. The tournament could provide a major boost, but whether it drives sustainable growth or one final hurrah remains the real wager.
