With legal sports betting widely available for the first time, the upcoming World Cup is set to be a landmark soccer event for the American gaming industry.
20.5 million American adults — or 8% of the population — plan to place at least one wager on the World Cup for a cumulative total of $1.8 billion, per a new report from the American Gaming Association.
“As the first World Cup with widespread availability of legal sports betting, this will certainly be the most bet-upon soccer event ever in the U.S.,” said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark.
Betting could be seen as an activity to enhance the viewing experience, as 29% of American adults who plan to watch the World Cup intend to bet on it.
A majority (78%) of likely bettors say it is important to place wagers legally. That shows up in the data, as 9.8 million (48%) plan to place a bet online, while 4.7 million (23%) plan to do so at a physical casino sportsbook.
However, not all bettors will take the strictly legal route — 4.1 million (20%) plan to wager with a bookie.
The data also skews young: Gen Z (11%) and Millenial (14%) plan to bet on the tournament at higher rates than their Gen X (8%) and Baby Boomer (2%) counterparts.
And, of course, everyone is rooting for the home team.
If given $50, 24% of Americans would bet on the United States to win it all — higher than the 19% garnered by current betting favorite Brazil (+400).
![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Dec 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; United States of America President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney watch from the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27745262_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
