First-time and casual online betting is expected to surge during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating a significant revenue opportunity for online sportsbooks that prioritize trusted brands and localized, reliable payment experiences. This is according to new research released by global payments platform Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE).

The findings are outlined in Paysafe’s All the Ways Players Pay: World Cup 2026 report, which shows that 19% of global consumers planning to follow the tournament intend to place their first-ever online bet during the competition. Overall, 60% of World Cup fans worldwide expect to wager online, underscoring the scale of opportunity facing regulated sportsbooks ahead of the five-week tournament.

With the World Cup returning to North America for the first time since 1994, interest in online wagering is especially strong across the host markets of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well as in Europe and Latin America. In U.S. states where sports betting is legal, 62% of fans plan to bet, with 29% doing so for the first time. Mexico is expected to see even stronger growth, with 68% planning to wager, including 26% first-time bettors. In Canada, 46% of Ontarians intend to bet, with 9% new to online wagering.

Internationally, enthusiasm remains high in both newly regulated and mature betting markets. In Brazil, 66% of fans plan to bet online, while Peru stands out with an exceptional 85% expressing intent to wager. Established European markets also show strong engagement, including Italy (64%) and the United Kingdom (60%).

The research highlights that brand reputation and payments performance will be decisive factors in converting and retaining bettors during the tournament. While brand trust is the top consideration when choosing a sportsbook (38%), rapid payouts are even more influential, cited by 33% of bettors—outweighing odds, promotions, user experience, and market coverage. In markets such as Peru, fast cash-outs (38%) are considered even more important than brand reputation (34%).

Other payment-related features also play a critical role, with 24% of bettors prioritizing fast deposits and 22% favoring access to preferred payment methods. As a result, offering a broad and localized payment mix is increasingly essential.

Globally, debit cards remain the most popular payment method, preferred by 39% of bettors and rising sharply in markets that restrict credit card use, such as the U.K. (53%) and Massachusetts in the U.S. (56%). However, alternative payment methods (APMs) continue to gain traction. Pay-by-bank and bank transfer solutions are preferred by 27% of players, while digital wallets appeal to 25%, making them the leading choice in some markets like Peru (36%).

Payment localization is emerging as a key differentiator, with 19% of bettors favoring local payment methods. This trend is particularly strong in Brazil, where the central bank’s Pix instant payment system is expected to be the top choice for 48% of bettors.

With the World Cup spanning five weeks, retention will be just as important as acquisition. The report reveals that 88% of global bettors would switch sportsbooks after a poor payment experience, with players in the U.S. and Ecuador among the most sensitive at 93%.

Commenting on the findings, Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe, said that the 2026 World Cup will be the largest tournament to date for regulated online sportsbooks. He emphasized that optimizing cashier experiences and payment infrastructure will be critical not only for player acquisition during the event, but also for long-term customer retention beyond the tournament.

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