The World Cup continues and will now feature more matches per day, including four today. Qatar vs. Switzerland gets things started, then we'll have the main attraction, Brazil vs. Morocco, and this action-packed Saturday will finish with Haiti vs. Scotland and Australia vs. Turkiye, which technically starts on Sunday for those in the US.
So, let's dive into today's World Cup best bets.
World Cup Best Bets Today
The team logos in the table below represent each of the World Cup matchups that our staff is targeting from today's slate. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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  | 4:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
| 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 10:00 p.m. | |
  | 12:00 a.m. | |
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our World Cup odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Switzerland vs Qatar
The reasoning for backing Switzerland to shut out Qatar is twofold: Swiss defensive strength and Qatari offensive weakness. Switzerland conceded just 0.33 goals per match during their European qualification campaign, a record surpassed only by England. This defensive solidity is a hallmark of the team, which has consistently proven difficult to break down.
Conversely, Qatar has struggled to find the back of the net against stronger teams. In their two friendlies leading up to the tournament, they failed to score, losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland and drawing 0-0 with El Salvador. Against Ireland, they managed only a single shot on target. In their last 10 matches, Qatar has scored just 5 goals, and all of those games were against opponents they were favored to beat, which is not the case here.
While Qatar's attack relies on Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, who were prolific in regional qualifiers, translating that success against a disciplined European defense is a monumental task. At the 2022 tournament, Qatar scored just one goal across three games, with expected goals (xG) figures of 0.32, 0.96, and 0.14. A similar offensive output is expected here, making a Swiss clean sheet a strong possibility.
Pick: Qatar Under 0.5 Goals (-170)
Morocco vs Brazil
Brahim Diaz enters this tournament in scintillating form for Morocco. His performance at the recent Africa Cup of Nations was exceptional, where he finished as the top scorer with five goals from just 19 shots — a remarkable 26.32% conversion rate. He outscored notable strikers like Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in that competition.
Given his importance to Morocco's attack and his proven ability to deliver on big stages, the odds offered for him to find the net seem to overlook his current momentum. He continued this form with a goal in a recent warm-up fixture, making him a prime candidate to cause problems for the Brazilian defense.
Pick: Brahim Diaz Anytime Goalscorer (+500)
Morocco vs Brazil
Both Teams to Score is supported by trends from both nations. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil has shown defensive vulnerabilities, particularly during the CONMEBOL qualifiers, in which they kept clean sheets in only 33% of their matches and conceded 17 goals in 18 games.
Their attacking style often leaves them exposed to counterattacks. On the other side, Morocco possesses a potent offense that scored 22 goals in eight qualifying games, averaging 2.75 per match.
With a player like Achraf Hakimi capable of exploiting space with his blistering pace, Morocco has the tools to get on the scoresheet. Brazil has scored in 9 of its last 10 matches, and with the individual talent on both sides, a goal for each team is a strong possibility.
Pick: Both Teams to Score – Yes (-105)
Scotland vs Haiti
Scotland enters this match as a heavy favorite for a reason. They have a strong track record when favored, winning their last four such matches with a combined score of 16-2.
This makes the -1 Asian Handicap an attractive option. For this bet to win, Scotland must win by two or more goals. If they win by exactly one goal, the stake is returned as a push. This provides a safety net while still offering good value on a superior team.
Haiti's defensive struggles during qualifying support this handicap bet. They suffered heavy defeats to regional rivals, including a 5-1 loss to Curaçao and a 3-0 loss to Honduras.
Against a Scottish side stacked with players from Europe's top leagues, Haiti's backline is likely to be under constant pressure, creating an opportunity for Scotland to cover the spread.
Pick: Scotland Asian Handicap -1 (-118)
Turkiye vs Australia
Turkiye’s offense has been impressive, scoring more than 1.5 goals in six of their last eight matches. With creative forces like Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, they possess the quality to break down a disciplined Australian defense.
While the Socceroos have conceded more than one goal only twice in their previous seven games, their recent form has been unconvincing, unlike a Turkish side arriving in North America in excellent shape.
Pick: Turkiye Over 1.5 Goals (+83)
Turkiye vs Australia
The second half could be where Turkiye secures the result. Vincenzo Montella’s team has not lost the second half in any of its last eight contests, winning it in six of those games. During this stretch, they have averaged 1.63 second-half goals while conceding just 0.25.
Historically, Australia has lost the second half in its opening match at the last four tournaments. As the underdogs, Australia will likely focus on a tight defensive structure early on, but Turkiye's superior quality should eventually shine through, particularly in the later stages of the match.
