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 forecasts. However, there are very high hopes from all sides,” he said.
Research from Creditas and Opinion Box shows 56% of Brazilians plan to take part in prediction pools connected to the World Cup. Among those aged 18 to 24, that figure jumps to 70%.
Pushing Bettors Toward Licensed Platforms
A key goal before the tournament starts is steering new bettors to licensed operators. Companies and regulators want to ensure players use platforms approved by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance.
Stefano Andrade, CEO of BB Gaming, says growth won’t just come from existing gamblers. “Millions of citizens of Brazil will be making their first steps at the regulated platforms,” he stated.
Marco Tulio, CEO of Ana Gaming, said the World Cup creates a unique atmosphere that draws in casual fans. “Even those who are not really interested in sport begin following the matches and cheering for their teams together with relatives and friends,” he noted.
Beyond betting revenue, the World Cup is seen as a chance to collect more tax income, improve consumer protections, and build long-term trust in Brazil’s regulated gambling sector.
With 104 matches scheduled and a newly legal market eager to prove itself, Brazil’s operators are positioning for what could be the most consequential event in the country’s short betting history.
