World Cup 2026-focused study shows 19% of people are planning to bet for the first time

The payments platform Paysafe suggests the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a key moment for North America, as it says 60% of consumers plan to place bets online or via an app, with 19% planning to bet for the first time.

This year will see the significant sporting event return to U.S. soil for the first time since 1994, with Canada and Mexico being co-hosts. However, since its last foray in the United States, the World Cup is now being hosted at a time when sports betting is legal in many states.

According to the report, 64% of bettors will place wagers on the day of the game or during the match and 37% plan to bet more than usual. In the US, this figure reaches 51%.

The survey has included 3,850 respondents, all of legal gambling age, who have an interest in following the upcoming soccer event, based across the UK, US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and Bulgaria.

While the event is in-person, the research suggests there could be a ripple effect as 58% plan to play soccer-themed video games during the tournament. At the same time, 56% of the participants expect to spend more on downloadable content, especially in the United States and United Kingdom.

49% of consumers who don’t follow soccer plan on betting on the World Cup, research states

The frequency of betting is also expected to increase during the tournament: “Among those planning to bet, 92% expect to wager either more than usual or about the same as their typical activity. Within this group, 37% plan to bet more than normal, with the United States leading at 51%. These figures reflect the unique excitement of the World Cup and how hosting influences betting activity.”

It’s thought that social factors could influence the amount bet too, with 60% of respondents saying they would join a group bet if a bet pool or pot was organized by a friend or coworker.

The match schedule will see games take place in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and the final will be in New York New Jersey.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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