The FIFA World Cup drove substantial growth in active sports bettors and first-time depositors across the Americas and Europe, according to a new report from Optimove Insights. Rodri of Spain lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy after the team’s victory in the Final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. “World Cup 2026 gave sportsbook operators what every major event promises: a larger audience and a major wave of new depositors,” said Pini Yakuel, Founder and CEO of Optimove. Global Betting SurgeThe World Cup kicked off June 11 and ran through July 19, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. But it was among first-time depositors that sportsbooks saw a sizable jump.