Multiple outlets report that the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup format generates stronger wagering activity than the 2022 tournament. One betting expert, Darren Small of Sportradar, tells AFP that betting volume has increased by about 80% compared with 2022. The comparison accounts for the fact that the tournament has more matches under the 48-team structure than the 32-team format used previously.
Articles note that some fans were initially sceptical about FIFA’s decision to enlarge the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, but betting indicators suggest the expansion is drawing increased interest from bettors. The reporting emphasizes that betting volume—described in terms of ticket or wagering volume—is higher than expected, with the overall increase framed as evidence that punters are engaging more with the competition.
Across sources, the central point is the same: the enlarged tournament coincides with an approximately 80% rise in betting volume versus 2022, and this outcome is described as exceeding expectations despite the structural change that increases the number of games.
