US Sportsbooks Projected to Handle Up to $4.3 Billion on the 2026 World Cup, With DraftKings and FanDuel Expected to Lead

American sportsbooks are bracing for what could be a historic betting event as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway, with industry projections estimating total US handle could reach up to $4.3 billion over the course of the tournament. DraftKings and FanDuel, the two dominant players in the US sports betting market, are widely expected to capture the majority of that volume, though every major operator is deploying significant promotional budgets to attract new users and World Cup wagers.

The scale of the projected handle reflects a convergence of factors that make this World Cup unique in the history of US sports betting. Legal wagering now exists in dozens of states, giving a much larger share of the population legal access to online sportsbooks than during any previous World Cup. The United States is also a co-host this time alongside Canada and Mexico, with games being played in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and Seattle, generating intense local interest.

Why This World Cup Is Different

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, held during November and December, was the first during which significant legal US sports betting was available. US sportsbooks handled an estimated $1 billion on that tournament, a number that industry analysts now view as a baseline that this year’s event will substantially exceed. The combination of home hosting, expanded legal access, and a 48-team format that extends the tournament’s run means more games, more betting opportunities, and a longer window for operators to engage bettors.

BetMGM has already announced a major promotional tie-in around the US Men’s National Team, splitting $500,000 in bonus bets among bettors every time the US scores. FanDuel’s AceAI betting assistant has expanded its soccer coverage specifically in advance of the tournament. Virtually every major operator has published World Cup odds, prop menus, and tournament futures well in advance of the June 11 opening match.

The US team’s qualifying for the knockout stages would significantly amplify domestic betting interest. Americans have historically shown a willingness to wager on their own national teams in tournaments where results are uncertain, and a deep USMNT run could generate handle figures that the current $4.3 billion projection might underestimate.

How to Bet the World Cup

Bettors have a range of options for wagering on the tournament. Traditional match betting covers the winner of individual games, including three-way markets that allow bettors to back a draw alongside the two teams. Tournament futures offer outright winner markets, individual group winner bets, and specials like Golden Boot awards. Live betting, available on all major sportsbook platforms, allows real-time wagering during matches including next goal scorer, corner kicks, and card markets.

The expanded 48-team format introduced for 2026 means 104 matches in total, up from 64 in prior editions. That additional volume extends the tournament into the second half of July, providing an extended betting calendar during a period that is traditionally light on major US sports. The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

For bettors new to soccer wagering, the market offers attractive conditions. Books are aggressively pricing the tournament to capture new users, and the increased availability of DraftKings and FanDuel promotional offers means there is real value available for those willing to shop around before placing initial wagers.