Singapore recorded the highest estimated betting spend per football fan during the 2026 World Cup, according to a new study analysing wagering activity and online search interest across 50 countries.
The research examined factors including total wagering, estimated spend per person, football fan populations and gambling-related search activity to identify markets showing the strongest engagement with World Cup betting.
Singapore Tops Per-Fan Wagering
Singapore ranked first, with the average football fan estimated to wager around US$200 during the tournament. Total wagering reached approximately US$620 million, despite the country’s population of about 6.2 million.
Gambling-related searches also exceeded 326,000 during the previous month, indicating strong consumer interest in betting odds, predictions and bookmakers.
Canada Records Highest Total Among Top Five
Canada ranked second, recording approximately US$1.4 billion in total wagering, the highest figure among the five leading countries. The average resident wagered around US$36, while the figure increased to approximately US$241 per football fan when calculated against the country’s estimated 5.8 million soccer supporters.
Canada also recorded more than 1.7 million gambling-related searches, reflecting significant interest in World Cup betting information.
Denmark and Uruguay Show Strong Football Engagement
Denmark placed third with approximately US$210 million wagered. While the average resident wagered around US$36, the figure reached approximately US$66 per football fan, based on an estimated 3.2 million supporters. Gambling-related searches exceeded 154,000 per month.
Uruguay ranked fourth, with around US$125 million wagered. More than 90% of its population is estimated to be football fans, resulting in approximately US$40 in wagering per dedicated supporter.
Portugal Completes the Top Five
Portugal rounded out the top five with estimated wagering of US$340 million. The average resident wagered around US$33, while gambling-related searches surpassed 281,000. The country’s estimated 7.7 million football fans contributed to its strong overall ranking.
Betting Interest Extends Beyond Wagering
The study suggests that World Cup betting engagement cannot be measured by total wagering alone. Search activity, football audience size and estimated spend per fan provide additional indicators of how strongly consumers interact with betting during major sporting events.
An analyst from Bettingtop10 noted that bettors often research factors such as team form, head-to-head records, injuries, weather and travel schedules before placing wagers.
For sportsbooks and betting operators, these findings highlight the importance of understanding both wagering behaviour and information-seeking activity when evaluating engagement around major sporting events.
