The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the biggest betting event in history — and the first to test the U.S. sports-wagering market at full scale.
The tournament kicks off Thursday in Mexico City and will end about six weeks later at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Between those two bookends, 48 teams will compete in 104 matches.
Analysts predict the betting opportunities could reshape customer acquisition for sportsbooks, prediction markets and the sports-data companies that power them.
Global wagers on the 2026 World Cup could top $50 billion, up from more than $35 billion during the 2022 tournament according to Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon.
Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/10/the-world-cup-will-likely-be-the-biggest-gambling-event-in-history.html