H2 Gambling Capital: 2026 World Cup betting handle could reach $60bn

H2 Gambling Capital expects legal sportsbook betting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup to reach around $60bn by the end of the tournament, which would mark a record for the event.

The estimate covers regulated betting channels only and excludes offshore, illegal or otherwise unregulated operators.

The forecast would represent a 71% increase on H2’s estimate for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a 185% rise compared with the 2018 tournament. H2 said the increase reflects the growth of regulated football betting since the previous World Cups, with Brazil included in its estimates for the first time after its regulated betting market went live in 2025.

The 2026 edition is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams rather than 32, while the number of matches has increased from 64 to 104. However, H2 cautioned that the larger schedule will not automatically translate into a proportional rise in betting handle, as around 60% of the additional fixtures are in the group stage, where engagement is typically lower than in the knockout rounds.

H2 also noted that the inclusion of more lower-ranked teams could make some early-stage matches less attractive to bettors. The final total will also depend heavily on how major national teams perform, particularly those from large regulated betting markets. Deeper runs by those teams could lift engagement, while early exits could weigh on total World Cup wagers.

The company estimates sportsbook gross gaming revenue (GGR) from the tournament at about $7.5bn, based on an illustrative 12.5% hold rate. The company said higher-margin products, including parlays and bet builders, are expected to support operator revenue alongside traditional match betting.

The World Cup is taking place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. H2’s estimate does not include prediction markets, and the company said it does not expect them to meaningfully affect global football betting handle during the tournament.