Bookmakers launch extensive promotions for 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, opened across the United States, Mexico, and Canada on June 11, 2026, launching a month of global competition and a parallel surge in sports betting activity. As the tournament began, major bookmakers in regulated and offshore markets rolled out a wide array of promotional offers and welcome bonuses aimed at new customers.

The opening days of the tournament featured key matches in host nations. On June -12, the United States faced Paraguay in its opening match. One betting analyst predicted a low-scoring affair, citing Paraguay's defensive record in qualifying and the absence of its top offensive player, and noted the pressure on the U.S. as a host nation given its recent record in major tournaments. Also on June -12, Canada was scheduled to play Bosnia in Toronto, with the same analyst suggesting Bosnia could secure at least a draw against a Canadian side missing several key players.

In the lead-up to the tournament, betting sites competed for customers with diverse promotional structures. Common offers included deposit matches, where a site matches a percentage of a customer's first deposit, and free bet tokens awarded...