The World Cup knockout stage continues today with the final three matches of the Round of 32: Australia vs. Egypt, Argentina vs. Cape Verde, and Colombia vs. Ghana.
Our team of experts has come up with a pick for each of Friday's games, so let's dive into today's World Cup best bets.
Today's World Cup Best Bets, Expert Picks
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 2:00 p.m. | |
  | 6:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.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. | ||
Australia vs Egypt Best Bet
The value in this matchup appears to be with both teams scoring. Egypt's group-stage games were consistently open, with all three matches ending in goals for both sides.
The Pharaohs demonstrated their attacking prowess by scoring against a strong Belgian team, but also revealed defensive weaknesses by conceding to both Iran and New Zealand.
Their underlying metrics support this, showing an expected goals against (xGA) of 4.56 across three games, suggesting their defense has been fortunate to have conceded only three goals.
Australia, conversely, built its group stage success on a solid defensive foundation, securing two clean sheets. However, their defense was lucky not to concede to Turkiye, and their final group match against Paraguay was a low-event affair in which a draw suited both teams.
While the Socceroos have not been prolific, generating just 2.08 expected goals (xG) in the group stage, Egypt's defensive gaps could provide the openings they need.
In a win-or-go-home scenario, the game is likely to open up, making a wager on both teams to score an attractive option.
Pick: Both Teams To Score – Yes (+120, bet365)
Argentina vs Cape Verde Best Bet
Argentina enters this knockout match on an impressive 10-game winning streak, and a key pattern has emerged from that run: they have been leading at halftime in all 10 victories.
This trend continued through the group stage of the 2026 tournament, where they consistently took control of games early. They were ahead at the break in their 3-0 win over Algeria, their 2-0 victory over Austria, and their 3-1 win against Jordan.
Manager Lionel Scaloni will demand complete focus from the start, especially against a Cape Verde team that earned a memorable 0-0 draw against Spain by defending resolutely. However, Argentina’s attack, led by Lionel Messi, possesses the quality to break down even the most organized low block.
Given their track record of scoring early and controlling games, backing them to be ahead at both halftime and the final whistle presents solid logic.
Pick: Halftime/Fulltime – Argentina/Argentina (-175, bet365)
Colombia vs Ghana Best Bet
Colombia's form suggests they have the tools to break down Ghana's low block. The South Americans have been one of the strongest defensive teams in the competition, conceding just 0.82 expected goals against (xGA) per 90 minutes and allowing only five shots on target across their three group matches.
This defensive solidity provides a strong foundation for their talented attackers to control the game.
While Ghana is defensively sound, its attack has been largely ineffective. They produced the fourth-worst xG among all knockout stage teams and managed the fewest shots (15) of any nation in the group stage. This offensive weakness makes it difficult to see them troubling a disciplined Colombian backline.
Considering Ghana's trouble in the first half of matches is also key. They have failed to score a first-half goal in their last 10 games, trailing at the break in five of them. Conversely, Colombia has been behind at halftime in just one of its last 22 contests, averaging 0.91 goals in the first half during that span.
This trend strongly supports the pick for Colombia to be leading at the interval.
Pick: 1st Half Result – Colombia (+105, bet365)
