The expanded World Cup format, increased from 32 to 48 teams, has resulted in an 80% increase in betting volume compared to the 2022 edition. Darren Small, senior vice president of Managed Trading Services at Sportradar, noted that the tournament has seen more bets and more active customers, with record numbers surpassing initial expectations. The increase is attributed to both the expanded format and general industry growth.
Record Betting Volumes
Sportradar, a global sports technology company, reported handling approximately 8.5 million betting tickets for the final between Spain and defending champions Argentina. The tournament's expansion to 104 games has drawn significant betting interest, with England, France, Argentina, and Spain being the top teams in terms of betting tickets.
Unexpected Outcomes
David Stevens, head of public relations at Coral, highlighted that the enlarged format provided more unpredictable results, contrary to initial fears of predictable outcomes. Matches like Cape Verde's performance against Argentina and Spain have added excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
Future of the World Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested the possibility of further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams. However, Stevens expressed concerns that such an expansion might lead to fan and punter fatigue due to the sheer number of games. Despite this, Infantino's influence over FIFA suggests that further expansion could still be on the horizon.
