The expanded 48-team World Cup has captivated punters like never before, with an 80% increase in betting volume compared to the 2022 edition. Darren Small, senior vice president of Managed Trading Services at Sportradar, reported an 80% increase in ticket volume, attributing the surge to both the larger tournament size and industry growth. For the final between Spain and Argentina, Sportradar anticipates handling approximately 8.5 million betting tickets for their global clients.
England, France, Argentina, and Spain, the top four FIFA-ranked teams, drew the most betting interest. Notably, England attracted approximately 16.3 million betting tickets, followed by France (15.5 million), Argentina (15 million), and Spain (14.5 million). The highest betting volumes were recorded for England's semi-final defeat by Argentina, England's quarter-final win over Norway, and Spain's semi-final victory over France.
David Stevens, head of public relations at Coral, noted that the enlarged format's unpredictability during the group stage alleviated initial concerns. Matches like Cape Verde's thrilling 3-2 extra-time loss to Argentina in the last 32 showcased the format's appeal. The increased betting interest is also driven by diverse betting options beyond outright winners, including individual player performances and various match outcomes.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted at further expansion to a 64-team format. However, Stevens expressed skepticism, suggesting that 64 teams might exceed the threshold of fan and punter interest. Despite this, Infantino's influence over FIFA suggests that further expansion remains a possibility.
