-
Doug Greenberg
Multiple Authors
The U.S. men’s national team’s (USMNT) journey in the home World Cup resulted in a historic surge in soccer betting, with American sportsbooks reaping substantial profits as the tournament concluded.
The USMNT’s defeat by Belgium in the round of 16 set a record for the most heavily bet soccer match in the history of numerous major U.S. sportsbooks. BetMGM reported that the match garnered more bets than any 2026 College Football Playoff game (excluding the championship), the NCAA men’s basketball championship, and any championship series from the NBA, NHL, or MLB.
Bosnia-Herzegovina established a new record at Caesars Sportsbook, only to be overtaken shortly thereafter by the match between Argentina and Cape Verde, followed by Mexico‘s loss to England.
“This World Cup has generated record handle for us consistently,” BetMGM’s senior trading manager Christian Cipollini said to ESPN. “The excitement is palpable across the country. Wherever you are, you can feel the World Cup fever. The timing of the games is also crucial—having the matches on U.S. soil is a significant advantage, and the fact that the U.S. game was held at primetime also played a big role.”
American bettors showed significant support for the home team throughout the tournament, both in individual matches and future bets, making Monday’s loss beneficial for sportsbooks.
Mark Bickerdike, head of soccer at Caesars Sportsbook, noted that 81% of the handle was in favor of the United States advancing to the next round, and many wagers were placed on Folarin Balogun to score amid controversy over his inclusion in the match.
Cipollini highlighted that the odds for the Belgium match, where the U.S. came in as a -130 favorite to qualify for the next round (according to DraftKings), made it particularly lucrative for sportsbooks, as bettors preferred to wager on a tightly contested line rather than strong favorites or underdogs. He remarked that this game was one of their biggest winners of the year, while Bickerdike considered it a “better night for the book” after the U.S. wins previously caused them losses.
At Circa Sportsbook in Las Vegas, one bettor placed a $750,000 wager on the United States to advance at -130 odds.
With the U.S. being the largest future liability for most major American sportsbooks, its elimination allows bookmakers some relief. Portugal, who was also eliminated earlier on the same day by Spain, was another significant liability for sportsbooks.
Both BetMGM and Caesars are now focusing on France, which has garnered significant attention from bettors since the tournament began and has attracted considerable interest due to long odds since the market opened four years ago.
In light of the U.S.’s exit, it remains unclear if the betting handle will maintain its earlier momentum. Cipollini anticipated some decline, but he remains optimistic due to the continued performances of superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, with customers still placing bets on these players to score.
“Although fans are disappointed with the U.S. outcome, we do not expect the World Cup’s momentum to wane,” DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello told ESPN via email. “Bettors have remained engaged throughout the tournament, and with several exciting matchups still to come, we anticipate that the excitement—and betting action—will remain robust until the final match.”
As it stands, France is the frontrunner to win the World Cup at +180, followed by Spain at +370, Argentina at +420, and England at +470, according to DraftKings odds.