With the 2026 FIFA World Cup weeks away from kickoff on U.S. soil, American bettors are eagerly anticipating the chance to put their money where their mouth – and loyalty – is.
Key Takeaways
- Optimove Insights’ latest report has found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. bettors plan to place at least one wager on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Most bettors believe wagering enhances the tournament, with plans to continue betting even after their favorite team is knocked out.
- Live betting is expected to dominate engagement during the World Cup.
Optimove Insights has released its 2026 World Cup Betting Intentions Report, revealing that nearly three-quarters of U.S. bettors intend to place at least one bet on the World Cup, with most saying they “definitely will.”
In addition, as many as 65% of bettors say that betting on the World Cup will enhance their overall enjoyment of the tournament, clearly indicating that American bettors are anxiously awaiting the first World Cup on North American soil in 32 years.
“The U.S. World Cup bettor in 2026 is not a casual fan testing the waters. This is a confident, deeply engaged participant for whom betting and watching are closely linked,” the report outlines. “The 90% combined who say betting enhances tournament enjoyment is a clear signal: for this audience, the wager is part of the experience, not a side activity to it.”
Perhaps most telling of that excitement is the betting intentions of those surveyed when asked about their favorite side before and after elimination.
While roughly 51% of bettors indicate that they intend to bet on matches involving their favorite team, a staggering 65% of bettors don’t intend to alter course if their squad is eliminated, indicating that they’re likely to continue betting on all remaining games.
“The operators who plan only for the high points of their bettors’ tournament arc will lose them when their team exits,” the report notes. “The operators who plan for the full arc, including the elimination moment, will retain engagement when it matters most. The data is clear that bettors want to keep betting; they just need a reason to. Star players, underdog narratives, and the team that beat their team are all proven retention vehicles.”
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Live betting set to define World Cup
As far as how fans intend to engage, a clear trend indicates bettors will be looking to live World Cup odds to enhance their gameday experience.
“Eight-four percent of U.S. bettors plan to engage in live or in-play betting during the World Cup, with 57% saying live betting is their preference and another 27% planning to do both pre-match and live. Only 11% say they prefer pre-match betting only,” according to Optimove Insights’ report.
In addition, a majority of bettors will be looking to stack their bets, making multiple wagers per match on a variety of props, though mostly the match result. Seventy-five percent of bettors shared they intend to bet on wins and losses, with the second most popular bet of both teams to score a distant 49%.
