The World Cup is in full swing, and today we have four games featuring action in Groups I and J. We start in the afternoon with Senegal vs. France, then Norway vs. Iraq will take the spotlight, followed by the World Champions making their debut in Algeria vs. Argentina, and finally a late-night game with Jordan vs. Austria.
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 3:00 p.m. | |
| 3:00 p.m. | |
  | 6:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:00 p.m. | |
| 9:00 p.m. | |
  | 12:00 a.m. | |
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. | ||
Senegal vs France
While France enters the tournament as the top-ranked nation, historical trends suggest value in betting against highly-ranked teams. Since the 1998 tournament, backing against nations in the top 10 of the world rankings on the Asian handicap market has yielded a positive return. Senegal, ranked 15th, fits this profile perfectly for their opening match.
France possesses an incredible array of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. However, Senegal’s defense is formidable. The Lions of Teranga have recorded 21 clean sheets since the start of 2023, with 11 of those coming in their last 16 matches. This defensive solidity suggests they can limit France's scoring opportunities and prevent a multi-goal defeat. If Senegal loses by just one goal, the +1.0 Asian handicap bet is a push.
Pick: Senegal +1.0 Asian Handicap
Senegal vs France
Furthermore, Senegal has enough offensive firepower to trouble the French backline. Players like Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané, and Ismaïla Sarr compete at the highest levels of European club soccer. Senegal has scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches, demonstrating their consistency in finding the net. France, despite their qualifying success, showed defensive vulnerabilities by conceding in three of their six qualifiers, including twice against a lower-ranked Iceland team. Given Senegal's scoring streak and France's occasional lapses at the back, a wager on both teams to score presents solid value.
Pick: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Norway vs Iraq
Norway enters this opening match as the overwhelming favorite, and for good reason. They completed a perfect European qualifying campaign, winning all eight matches, including two victories over Italy. Their attack, spearheaded by Erling Haaland, was the most potent in Europe, averaging an incredible 4.62 goals per game. While their defense showed occasional vulnerabilities during qualifying, they still managed four clean sheets in eight games.
This defensive solidity is key to the Iraq vs Norway pick of a win to nil. Iraq’s path to the tournament was arduous, requiring 21 matches. Their attack was far from prolific, scoring 30 goals across those games. In their decisive playoff against Bolivia, they generated just 0.74 expected goals (xG) and held only 32% of the possession. Against a Norwegian side that averaged 58% possession in a much tougher qualifying group, Iraq will likely be starved of the ball and struggle to create any meaningful opportunities. Given this offensive disparity, a Norwegian victory without conceding a goal offers solid value.
Pick: Norway to Win to Nil
Algeria vs Argentina
Lionel Messi remains the focal point of this Argentina side. After scoring in six of seven matches during their victorious 2022 campaign, he enters this competition in excellent form. He has looked sharp in warm-up games and remains the designated penalty taker for a team that has a knack for drawing fouls in the box. Algeria will likely spend long periods defending, which increases the probability of a penalty, giving Messi a prime opportunity to get on the score sheet.
Pick: Lionel Messi to Score
Algeria vs Argentina
While Argentina are the clear favorites, there is value in backing them to win with both teams finding the net. The defending champions are on a seven-game winning streak and have scored at least twice in six of those matches. Their attack is formidable and should have little trouble breaking down the Algerian defense.
However, Algeria possesses enough offensive talent to cause problems. Players like Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri, and Mohamed Amoura provide a significant threat on the counter-attack. Algeria performed well in their preparatory matches, securing a draw with Uruguay and a notable victory over the Netherlands. They have the quality to exploit any gaps in an Argentine defense that isn't impenetrable, making the Argentina to Win and Both Teams to Score market an attractive Algeria vs. Argentina pick.
Pick: Argentina to Win & Both Teams to Score
Jordan vs Austria
Austria enters its first match of the 2026 tournament as a heavy favorite, and for good reason. The team boasts a potent attack featuring Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, and Sasa Kalajdzic, providing more than enough firepower to secure a multi-goal victory. Jordan’s primary goal will likely be a third-place finish in the group, meaning they will probably adopt a defensive, counter-attacking approach. Their strategy will be to sit in a low block and absorb pressure, but it is questionable how long they can hold out against Austria's relentless system.
Under Ralf Rangnick, Austria has developed an aggressive counter-pressing style designed to dominate possession and suffocate opponents. During qualifying, they were among the European leaders, alongside Spain, in winning the ball in the final third and averaged 64.2% possession. This tactical dominance should starve Jordan of opportunities and lead to numerous scoring chances for the Austrians, making the handicap a strong value play.
Pick: Austria -1.5 Asian Handicap
