The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanded to include 48 teams and 104 matches, has exceeded expectations with an 80% increase in betting volume compared to the 2022 tournament, according to a betting expert. Despite initial skepticism about the larger field, punters embraced the change, leading to record betting activity. The final between Spain and Argentina is projected to handle around 8.5 million betting tickets. England led the betting table, while surprise results in the group stage, such as Cape Verde defeating Argentina, challenged predictions of predictable outcomes. Bookmakers like Coral noted that the expanded format did not lead to the expected dominance of traditional powerhouses.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data about betting trends and tournament performance without overtly favoring any political ideology. It reports on economic impacts of the expanded World Cup and includes quotes from industry experts without ideological slant. While the topic relates to international体育和
