World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 1 July

Norway to win ($2.10)

Norway rested Erling Haaland and almost their entire starting XI against France, taking that 4-1 defeat on the chin with their Round of 32 spot already secure. In the games that counted, Haaland scored four times across wins over Iraq (4-1) and Senegal (3-2). He’ll have had extra rest going into this one.

Ivory Coast have been impressive, though. Nicolas Pepe scored twice against Curacao to send them into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, and 19-year-old Yan Diomande has been one of the tournament’s most exciting young players. I don’t expect a walkover.

But with Haaland and Martin Odegaard back in from the start, I think Norway will have enough going forward.

✓ Long Shot: Ivory Coast to qualify ($2.55)
✓ Extra Tip: Over 2.5 goals ($1.95)

France -1.5 goals ($1.80)

France at $1.28 to win isn’t worth it. But backing them to do it by two or more has value. 

They went 3-0 through Group I and won every game by a multi-goal margin - 3-1 against Senegal, 3-0 against Iraq, 4-1 against Norway. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise have combined for eight goals and six assists between them. After a slow first half against Senegal, les Bleus have outscored opponents 10-2 across their last two and a half halves.

Sweden have Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak up front, and they did put five past Tunisia in their opener. But they were also hammered 5-1 by the Netherlands, and centre-back Isak Hien has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Graham Potter now has to reshuffle at the back against the best attack in the competition. 

I’d be surprised if France don’t cover this one comfortably.

✓ Long Shot: Sweden to qualify ($7.00)
✓ Extra Tip: Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer ($1.50)

Mexico to win ($2.10)

Three games, six goals scored, zero conceded. Mexico have been watertight at this World Cup and they’re back at the Estadio Azteca for a fourth time, having already beaten South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0) and Czechia (3-0) without much fuss.

Ecuador got here by beating Germany 2-1 in a must-win group finale, and fair play to them for that. But both their goals at this tournament came in that one game. They drew 0-0 with Curacao and lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their other two outings. I’m not convinced they can score in front of a hostile Azteca crowd against a Mexico defence that hasn’t been breached at this tournament.

✓ Long Shot: Ecuador to qualify ($2.70)
✓ Extra Tip: Under 2.5 goals ($1.85)