USMNT World Cup loss sets betting records, boosts sportsbooks' profits

The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) faced Belgium on Monday night, leading to record-breaking betting activity across American sportsbooks. This historic match marked the highest number of bets placed on a soccer game in the history of several major sportsbooks, as USMNT's journey in the 2026 World Cup came to an end.

Record-Breaking Betting Handle During the World Cup

BetMGM reported that the match garnered more bets than any 2026 College Football Playoff game, excluding the championship, as well as the men's college basketball national championship game and any major championship series in the NBA, NHL, or MLB. Throughout the tournament, sportsbooks noted a consistent increase in betting activity, with FanDuel stating that the first two USMNT games also set new records.

“This World Cup has been record-type handle stuff for us this whole time,” said BetMGM senior trading manager Christian Cipollini. “There's a ton of excitement throughout the country. No matter where you are, it feels like World Cup fever hit everybody this summer.”

Impact of Timing and Home Advantage

The timing of the matches played a crucial role in the betting frenzy, especially with the USMNT game scheduled for 8 PM in primetime. This allowed fans to engage more actively with the event. American bettors heavily favored the home team, placing substantial wagers on both individual games and future match outcomes.

According to Caesars Sportsbook head of soccer Mark Bickerdike, a staggering 81% of the handle supported the United States to qualify for the next round, indicating strong public backing. Interestingly, a single bettor wagered $750,000 on the USMNT to advance at -130 odds at Circa Sportsbook in Las Vegas.

Future Betting Trends Post-Elimination

The elimination of the USMNT has shifted the betting landscape, as bookmakers now focus on other teams. Portugal was also a noted liability for sportsbooks after their exit earlier on the same day. With the US out, sportsbooks are monitoring the betting patterns on teams like France, who have drawn significant attention from bettors.

Despite the disappointment among fans, experts like DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello remain optimistic about continued betting engagement. “While fans are certainly disappointed with the [U.S.] result, we don't expect it to slow the momentum we've seen around the World Cup,” he stated.