TLDR Global sports betting could reach $60 billion during the 2026 World Cup Total betting revenues expected to exceed $50 billion, per Sportradar VP Darren Small Brazil’s regulated betting market only launched in January 2025 — just 18 months before the tournament Brazil could account for roughly 10% of global betting volume, according to SOFTSWISS COO 56% of Brazilians plan to participate in prediction pools, rising to 70% among 18–24 year olds
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest betting event in sports history. Experts are forecasting global sports wagers could hit $60 billion, driven by a bigger tournament and Brazil’s newly regulated gambling market.
This year’s tournament expands from 64 to 104 matches, with 48 teams competing across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. That larger match count is expected to push live betting volumes well above anything seen before.
Darren Small, Vice President at Sportradar, says total betting revenues should cross $50 billion. The extra matches give bettors more opportunities to wager throughout the tournament.
Brazil Enters Its First Major Tournament With a Legal Market
Brazil only launched its regulated betting market in January 2025. That means operators will face the biggest sporting event in the country’s history with less than two years of legal market experience.
Alexander Kamenetsky, COO of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, estimates Brazil could make up around 10% of global betting volume during the tournament. That would place it among the top contributing markets worldwide.
Industry leaders in Brazil are cautiously hopeful. Plínio Lemos Jorge, President of the National Association of Games and Lotteries, acknowledged the market is still new.
“Right now, we are preparing for the World Cup with a market that exists for one and a half years. Therefore, it will be difficult to give exact financial