The World Cup is in full swing, and today we have four games featuring action in Groups G and H. We'll start early with Spain vs. Cape Verde, then Belgium vs. Egypt will take all the lights, and then Monday's action will finish with Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay and Iran vs. New Zealand.
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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  | 6:00 p.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. | ||
Cape Verde vs Spain
As one of the leading contenders for the title, Spain is expected to establish dominance early against Cape Verde. During their qualifying campaign, the Spanish side demonstrated a potent attack from the outset.
They secured a 3-0 victory against Bulgaria and an even more impressive 6-0 win over Turkey, showcasing their ability to overwhelm opponents quickly. The -1 first-half handicap was a winning selection in three of their six qualifying matches and resulted in a push in two others, making it a consistent performer.
Spain averaged 2.65 goals per game during qualification and is projected to score heavily in this fixture. Despite a successful run in the African qualifiers, Cape Verde showed defensive frailties, conceding eight goals, including three in a single game against Libya. This suggests they may struggle to contain Spain's high-powered offense in the opening 45 minutes.
Pick: Spain -1 First Half Handicap (+140)
Cape Verde vs Spain
Combining a Spain victory with a clean sheet and over 1.5 total goals also presents solid value. The odds heavily favor a Spanish win, with an implied probability of over 90%. Instead of taking the short moneyline, the 'win to nil' market offers a better price.
Spain’s defense was formidable in qualifying, keeping clean sheets in their first five matches. Data projections indicate Cape Verde will struggle to generate significant scoring chances, with a projected goal total of just 0.47.
Furthermore, Luis de la Fuente’s squad is not known for sitting on a lead. They press to extend their advantage, a trait reflected in their recent record. In 16 of their last 18 competitive fixtures, Spain has scored more than 1.5 goals, demonstrating a consistent attacking mindset that supports this combined pick.
Pick: Spain to Win to Nil & Over 1.5 Goals (-125)
Egypt vs Belgium
Belgium enters the 2026 tournament as the clear favorite in Group G, and their offensive firepower is the principal reason. During their qualifying campaign, the team was prolific, averaging 3.63 goals per game over eight matches. This offensive strength, marshaled by playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne and dynamic wingers such as Jeremy Doku, suggests they are well-equipped to break down defenses.
However, their opponents in the group stage, including Egypt, are expected to adopt a conservative, low-block defensive strategy. This tactical approach could limit the total number of goals in the match, making the combination of a Belgian win and a lower goal count an attractive angle. While Belgium’s attack is formidable, Egypt’s defense was stout during African qualifying, conceding just two goals in 10 matches. The key question is whether that defensive solidity can withstand the pressure from one of Europe's elite attacks.
Projections indicate that Egypt may struggle to create high-quality scoring chances, with a low expected goal output. If Egypt’s attack, led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, is contained, it further strengthens the case for a Belgium win in a match that stays under the five-goal threshold. Despite an underwhelming club season, Salah remains a world-class threat, but Belgium’s overall quality should be the deciding factor.
Pick: Belgium to Win & Under 5 Match Goals (-116)
Belgium vs Egypt
The match presents a classic clash of styles. Belgium is expected to control possession, using its creative midfield to probe for weaknesses in a disciplined Egyptian defensive setup. Egypt, in turn, will likely focus on maintaining a compact shape and launching quick counter-attacks through its star forward, Mohamed Salah.
While Belgium's veteran core is looking to make a deep run, Salah carries the aspirations of his entire country.
This will be the first-ever official tournament meeting between the two sides. Historically, Belgium has performed well against African opponents at the tournament, with three wins, one draw, and one loss — though that single loss was a 2-0 defeat to Morocco in 2022.
Our World Cup Matchup Tool projects 1.6 goals for Belgium, so — combined with some defensive issues on the African side — the "Over 1.5 Team Goals" bet is a great opportunity here.
Pick: Belgium to Score Over 1.5 Goals (-125)
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia
Analysis for this Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia pick points toward a defensively solid, low-scoring contest. Uruguay's recent competitive matches have been exceptionally tight. The under 2.5 goals bet has hit in eight of their last 10 competitive fixtures, which have seen an average of only 1.6 goals per game. This pattern was also evident in the 2022 tournament, where all three of their matches finished with two or fewer goals.
Saudi Arabia’s qualifying campaign was similarly low-scoring, with their matches averaging just 2.1 goals. This suggests they are unlikely to contribute much to the scoresheet against a disciplined Uruguayan side. While Uruguay is the stronger team, their attack has not been overwhelming, netting just 10 goals across their last 10 games.
Considering Saudi Arabia will likely adopt a defensive, counter-attacking strategy, similar to the one that famously defeated Argentina, a comfortable but not high-scoring win for Uruguay appears to be the most logical outcome. The data supports this, projecting a total match goal count of around 2.61, with Uruguay expected to score 1.90 of those. This further strengthens the case for a Uruguayan victory in a match with a limited number of goals.
Pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-120)
New Zealand vs Iran
New Zealand has struggled mightily on offense, failing to score in seven of their last 10 matches. During that stretch, they have averaged a paltry 0.7 goals per game. This offensive drought is a significant concern heading into a high-pressure tournament opener against a defensively organized opponent.
Iran, for their part, often adopts a conservative, defense-first strategy in major competitions. This approach has proven effective, as the 'Both Teams to Score – No' bet has been successful in six of their last nine matches at the finals. Their defensive record in qualifying was stellar, conceding an average of just 0.75 goals per game. Given New Zealand's offensive issues and Iran's tactical preferences, a game where one or both teams are kept off the scoresheet seems highly probable.
Pick: Both Teams To Score — No (-143)
