Paysafe: 60% of 2026 World Cup Viewers to Bet Online
On January 14, the payments platform Paysafe published its study “All the Ways Players Pay: World Cup 2026,” highlighting fans’ interest in online sports betting ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Paysafe Research on World Cup 2026 Betting
The report was published by the payments platform Paysafe. The survey was conducted by B2B research company Sapio Research in November 2025.
The study surveyed 3,850 respondents from the United States (six states), Mexico, Canada (Ontario), Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and Bulgaria.
Share of Viewers Planning to Bet Online
Global and Regional Figures
- All countries — 60%
- Peru — 85%
- Mexico — 68%
- Brazil — 66%
- Italy — 64%
- United States — 62%
- United Kingdom — 60%
- Canada (Ontario) — 46%
New Bettors Entering the Market
- United States — 29% plan to place their first-ever bet
- Mexico — 26% first-time bettors
- Canada (Ontario) — 9% first-time bettors
- All countries — 19% will place their first online bet ever
Key Criteria When Choosing a Sportsbook
The Role of Brand and Payouts
- Brand reputation — 38%
- Payout speed — 33%
- Payout speed in Peru — 38%
Other Payment Factors
- Speed of deposits — 24%
- Availability of preferred payment methods — 22%
Preferred Payment Methods
Main Payment Options
- Debit cards — 39%
- United Kingdom — 53%
- United States (Massachusetts) — 56%
- Bank transfers — 27%
- Digital wallets — 25%
- eCash — 17%
Local Payment Solutions
- Local payment methods (overall) — 19%
- Brazil (Pix) — 48%
Player Behavior During the Tournament
User Activity and Experience
- Plan to bet at least as often as usual — 92%
- Will place bets on match day or during live play — 64%
- Have skipped a bet due to lack of a suitable payment method — 44%
Impact of the Payment Experience
- Rate a sportsbook higher when payouts are fast — 84%
- Willing to switch operators after a negative experience — 88%
- United States and Ecuador — 93%