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The wait is finally over, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off on Thursday at 14:00 ET. Mexico and South Africa bring the curtain up at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The hosts are hot betting favourites with all major bookmakers to bag three vital Group A points.
Opening weekend features several of Planet Soccer's biggest names, including Brazil, USA, Scotland, Germany and the Netherlands. Entering next week, you'll also see the likes of Egypt, Spain, France, Norway, defending champions Argentina, and England.
The top US-licensed sportbook operators featured on this page offer over 100 pre-match markets on every fixture played between June 11th and July 19th. With the games broadcast live on TV and the best live-streaming apps, we're set for a summer festival of soccer.
Flashscore has everything you need to enjoy 'We Are 26', including updated stats, predicted line-ups, the head-to-head scores, and more. We've even enlisted the help of respected football betting writer Frank Monkhouse. Keep reading for his World Cup week one picks.
Mexico vs South Africa, Thursday, 15:00 ET
Team Mexico will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds as Group A winners. An opening night victory over Bafana Bafana would place them in a strong position, and recent form suggests they're a good bet.
Mexico beat Australia 1-0 and Ghana 2-0 in May. They then thrashed Serbia 5-1 on Friday in their final World Cup warm-up.
The head-to-head stats available at Flashscore show these nations have met three times already. Mexico boasts one win, South Africa also carry a win, with the spare match ending in a draw. Both teams scored in all three meetings, and we shoot for more of the same here.
Tip: Both teams to score @ +148 (fanduel) | +135 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: You need both Mexico and South Africa to find the net at least once each in this match.
Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina, Friday, 15:00 ET
Just 24 hours after Mexico play South Africa, we see another of the joint-hosts in action. Canada face Bosnia-Herzegovina at BMO Field, Toronto. The Canadians beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a recent friendly, but step up in class here. Interestingly, these nations have never met in competitive action.
Canada kept a clean sheet against Uzbekistan, Tunisia, and Guatemala in 2026 friendlies. The visitors finished second in European qualifying Group H behind Austria. Bosnia-Herzegovina conceded only seven goals in eight games.
They came through the playoffs, beating Wales and Italy on penalties following 1-1 draws. Back under 2.5 goals.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals @ -154 (fanduel) | -145 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: The winning team isn't important here. All you need is for this match to produce fewer than three goals from both teams combined.
USA vs Paraguay, Saturday, 21:00 ET
The third and final World Cup 2026 hosts step into the spotlight in the late evening of Saturday US time. The USA play Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It's worth noting that these teams have met seven times previously, with the USA bagging five wins.
The Stars and Stripes are unbeaten in three meetings with Paraguay, winning 1-0 twice and 2-1 last time. I'm happy to keep this one simple and back the home team to win before an expectant audience. You can back the USA as a single or add them to your accumulators.
Tip: USA win @ -105 (fanduel) | -102 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: If the USA beat Paraguay, you'll beat the bookies and make a profit.
Brazil vs Morocco, Saturday, 18:00 ET
Much later on Saturday, the Samba Boys make their World Cup 2026 debut. Brazil play Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Carlo Ancelotti's team are the betting favourites to win Group C, and their odds will tumble if they can open with a win over their main rivals.
These teams have played twice before, with the head-to-head at Flashscore showing a 3-0 win for Brazil at France 98, followed by a 2-1 win for Morocco in a 2023 friendly. That leads us to a play on over 2.5 goals.
The same bet landed when Brazil hammered Panama 6-2 in a recent friendly, and in Morocco's 4-0 over Madagascar. Back more than two goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ +100 (fanduel) | +105 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: Brazil vs Morocco must share at least three goals in this compelling World Cup Group C match.
Haiti vs Scotland, Sunday, 21:00 ET
Scotland last qualified for a World Cup at France 98. That's far too long a wait for this football-mad country. Thankfully for members of the Tartan Army, I expect Steve Clarke's team to return with a bang.
Three points against Haiti is a must if Scotland are to stand any chance of making a first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds.
Scotland thumped Curacao 4-1 at Hampden in a farewell friendly before the World Cup. They also beat Denmark 4-2, Greece 3-1, and Belarus 2-0 in qualifying. Even without the injured Billy Gilmour, this is the most talented and exciting Scotland team in many years.
Back Scotland to open with a win over Haiti and catapult them into the top two in Group C.
Tip: Scotland win @ -210 (fanduel) | -200 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: You need Scotland to beat Haiti in Foxborough to win this bet. The correct score and who gets the goals aren't important.
Germany vs Curacao, Sunday, 13:00 ET
Germany open World Cup 2026 Group E with a match against Curacao in Houston. Most respected football pundits, betting traders, sportswriters and fans expect Germany to win on Sunday afternoon. I make it a case of how many goals Julian Nagelsmann's team will score.
Curacao qualified by winning the North/Central America Group B. That's impressive, but on closer inspection, we see they topped a pool that included Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, and Jamaica. None of those matches would've prepared The Blue Wave for Germany.
Germany are the +1300/1400 betting favourites, which was to be expected. That means we're into the specials. Back Germany to win -2 on the handicap after thrashing Finland 4-0 late last month.
Tip: Germany -2 handicap @ -300 (fanduel) | -250 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: When following this bet, you need Germany to beat Curacao by three or more goals.
Netherlands vs Japan, Sunday, 16:00 ET
The Netherlands vs Japan in Group F is a fascinating encounter. The Dutch and Japanese teams share a tough pool with Sweden and Tunisia, meaning a winning start and all three points are important.
Ronald Koeman's team are the pre-match betting favourites, but I believe the value is in backing Japan.
The H2H results show Japan have never beaten the Netherlands in three attempts, but their latest try was back in 2013. In recent appearances, Japan have beaten Iceland, Scotland, and England, all with a 1-0 scoreline. The Dutch lost 1-0 to Algeria earlier this month.
Expecting a close match, I imagined the odds would be nearer to a 50/50. That makes Japan the smart pick, and I'm backing them in the double chance market.
Tip: Japan or draw @ -135 (fanduel) | -135 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: If Japan avoids defeat against the Netherlands in matchday one from Group F, you'll boost your betting balance.
Spain vs Cape Verde, Monday, 12:00 ET
Spain rank as the second best team in FIFA's pre-World Cup charts. Opponents Cape Verde can be found down in 69th. This tournament is famous for giving fans memorable upsets, but very few expect Cape Verde to get anything from this game. Spain will be too strong.
The Spanish recently thumped Serbia 3-0, after ending goalless with Egypt. They also hammered Georgia 4-0 in qualifying late last year. Cape Verde beat Serbia 3-0, after drawing 1-1 with Finland, and losing 4-2 to Chile.
The recent form and results of both teams push us towards a bet on this match producing over 2.5 goals. This bet will perform best in your World Cup multiples.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ -295 (fanduel) | -275 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: Spain vs Cape Verde must produce three or more goals from both nations combined.
Belgium vs Egypt, Monday, 15:00 ET
An exciting start to the week continues when Belgium and Egypt collide in Group G. The Belgians are ranked ninth in the world, have appeared in 15 World Cups, and finished third in 2018. Egypt have played in four World Cups, and are currently 29th on Planet Football.
Two high-profile, experienced and ambitious teams will make for a thrilling 90 minutes in Seattle. The H2H shows Egypt have won three games, with Belgium claiming just one victory. In the previous three meetings, Egypt won 4-0 and 2-1, with Belgium winning 3-0.
Follow the trends and back over 2.5 goals in Monday's renewal. When following this bet, the winning team isn't important. You're only concerned with the number of goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ -108 (fanduel) | -105 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: You'll secure a handy profit at fair odds if Belgium vs Egypt ends with three or more goals scored.
France vs Senegal, Tuesday, 15:00 ET
France have made each of the last two World Cup finals, beating Croatia and then losing on penalties to Argentina last time. Les Bleus are many people's pick to win the World Cup in July, and Didier Deschamps' team can open with a convincing win over Senegal.
Competition history shows these teams have met only once before at this level, with the Africans winning 1-0 back in 2002. Much has changed since then, and France are a stronger side today. Back the favourites in the match-winner market at a decent offer.
Tip: France win @ -230 (fanduel) | -230 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: The winning margin and first scorer doesn't impact your bet. All you care about is France beating Senegal at the MetLife Stadium.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.