Home of football statistics and historyFootball bettors will be in their element over the next few weeks as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The expanded 48-team line-up will generate increased activity on World Cup betting sites, with 104 games scheduled to be played from June 11 to July 19.
Read on as we look at some of the standout fixtures during the group stage, starting with an intriguing game involving one of the co-hosts.
Mexico vs South Africa – Group A – June 11
Mexico will head into this summer’s tournament believing they can at least match their best-ever performances on football’s grandest stage.
They have hosted the World Cup on two previous occasions (1970 & 1986), and progressed to the quarter-finals each time.
Mexico are the bookmakers’ favourites to finish top of Group A, and should kick off with a victory when they face South Africa on June 11.
Bafana Bafana are returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 and may struggle to get out of the group.
Brazil vs Morocco – Group C – June 13
Five-time world champions Brazil are desperate to set the record straight after failing to lift the prestigious trophy since 2002.
The Samba Kings have suffered some embarrassing exits in recent tournaments, but will fancy their chances of making a deep run this summer.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s track record of success in club football should work to Brazil’s advantage and they could be a good bet at odds of 8/1 to win the World Cup.
Morocco reached the semi-finals four years ago and will be no pushovers in their opening game, but Brazil should start their campaign with a win.
England vs Croatia – Group L – June 17
Perennial tournament underachievers England are rated as one of the favourites to win the World Cup under manager Thomas Tuchel.
However, the Three Lions’ only previous success in the tournament was on home soil in 1966 and they are a risky betting proposition this time around.
England’s first group game against Croatia is a potential banana skin, and may leave them facing an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage.
Croatia have made life extremely difficult for England in their most recent meetings and could be a good bet to start their tournament with a win.
Germany vs Ivory Coast – Group E – June 20
After winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany failed to make it past the group stage in the last two editions.
They have assembled a talented squad this summer, and are a banker bet to defeat Ivory Coast in their second group game.
Ivory Coast topped their group during qualifying, but made it no further than the quarter-finals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While they have some excellent players at their disposal, Germany should record a comfortable victory.
Uruguay vs Spain – Group H – June 27
Having been drawn alongside Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Group H, Uruguay and Spain are expected to qualify for the round of 32 with ease.
Both sides could have booked their places in the knockout stage by the time this game is played, but that wouldn’t stop it from being a fiery encounter.
Uruguay held England to a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Wembley Stadium in March and were arguably unfortunate not to win that match.
Spain are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and will be keen to end the group stage on a positive note.
0 Comments