USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia breaks US sports betting records ahead of Belgium clash

The United States men’s national team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night did more than advance the Stars & Stripes to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup — it shattered US sports betting records for a soccer match.

Caesars Sports head of soccer trading Mark Bickerdike confirmed the scale of the moment. “The U.S. men’s national team match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was a record-breaking event and the most-engaged soccer event in Caesars Sports history,” he said. “It’s fair to say we have plenty of happy bettors this evening.”

Bickerdike elaborated that the match “generated our highest soccer handle ever, the most wagers placed on a soccer event in our book’s history, and the highest number of unique customers wagering.” Sportsbooks in Las Vegas and across the country reported heavily lopsided patriotic action on the USMNT throughout the night.

The result was not without drama. The US lost forward Folarin Balogun to a disputed red card in the 64th minute, yet held their 1-0 lead and extended it to 2-0 to seal the win. SuperBook vice president John Murray had noted before the match that a Bosnia victory would have been financially preferable for his book in the short term, but acknowledged the bigger picture once the US advanced.

“The USA advancing is not a good immediate result,” Murray said late Wednesday. “But it sets up a fantastic Monday night match in primetime. USA vs. Belgium is gonna be huge. Action certainly spiked with tonight’s game. It was the most-bet game, and I don’t know why Monday wouldn’t be bigger.”

With the Round of 16 fixture now set, BetMGM has posted odds for USA vs. Belgium that reflect just how evenly matched the two sides are considered. On the three-way moneyline covering 90 minutes plus injury time, it is a dead-heat pick ‘em at USA +160, Belgium +160, and the draw at +230. In the To Advance market — which accounts for extra time and a potential penalty shootout — Belgium is a slim favourite at -115, with the US at -110.

Bickerdike said Caesars is hoping the momentum carries into Monday’s kickoff. Murray, for his part, was blunt about what he expects from bettors: “I’m fairly confident the next game will be one of our biggest liabilities.”