FIFA has entered a sponsorship partnership with major gambling companies, including DraftKings and BetMGM, for the 2026 World Cup [1, 2].
This move represents a fundamental shift in the governing body's approach to sports wagering. By integrating betting firms into the tournament's official ecosystem, FIFA is attempting to capitalize on the rapid growth of the global sports-betting market and generate new revenue streams [1, 2].
The partnership, announced May 18, 2026, will see FIFA promote prediction-market betting for the first time [1, 2]. The tournament is being jointly hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, running from June 11 to early July [2, 3].
Industry leaders expect the collaboration to drive an unprecedented surge in activity. The chief executive of DraftKings said global wagering on the 2026 World Cup is expected to exceed $50 billion [2]. This figure would be more than double the volume recorded during the 2022 tournament [1, 2].
To accommodate the anticipated traffic, gambling platforms are scaling their technical infrastructure. The head of operations at BetMGM said platforms are being upgraded to handle up to 100,000 bets per minute during peak matches [2].
FIFA officials described the deal as a landmark transition for the sport. A FIFA spokesperson said, "This partnership marks a historic moment for football, bringing the excitement of prediction markets directly to fans worldwide" [1].
The decision follows a trend of increasing intersections between professional sports leagues and the gambling industry, a move that increases fan engagement but often draws scrutiny regarding the integrity of the game.
“Global wagering on the 2026 World Cup is expected to exceed $50 billion.”
FIFA's decision to officially partner with gambling firms signals a departure from previous caution regarding betting. By leveraging prediction markets, the organization is not only diversifying its income but also aligning itself with the digital-first consumption habits of younger fans. This integration may normalize sports gambling on a global scale, potentially pressuring other international sports federations to follow suit despite potential risks to sports integrity.
