World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 15 June

Germany -2.5 handicap ($1.50)

I’m not going to waste your time on this result. Germany are four-time world champions with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Nick Woltemade all in the squad. Curacao have a population of roughly 150,000 and are at their first ever World Cup. 

Good on them for getting here, but it’s going to be a long morning for their goalie.

Germany put seven past Brazil at a World Cup not too long ago, and their current squad might just be the most creative attacking group they’ve had since that 2014 run. Curacao will try to limit the damage through Tahith Chong, who at least has Championship experience at Sheffield United, but a three-goal German win feels conservative. 

I’m taking -2.5 comfortably, and I’d encourage checking football betting sites for handicap pricing because the match result at $1.05 is dead money.

✓ Long Shot: Germany to win 5-0 ($11.00)
✓ Extra Tip: Over 4.5 goals ($2.40)

Netherlands to win ($2.10)

This is the match that’ll have me up at 8am. 

Japan are a serious side - they sailed through Asian qualifying and have been one of the most improved nations in world football over the past four years. 

But I fancy the Netherlands here. Cody Gakpo has had one of his best seasons at Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk gives them composure at the back that Japan will struggle to disrupt.

Japan will press high and create openings - I don’t doubt that. But the Dutch have a habit of finding their feet in tournament openers, and at $2.10 it’s a price I’m happy to take. 

Compare odds across betting apps before kick-off because this could tighten.

✓ Long Shot: BTTS and Netherlands to win ($5.50)
✓ Extra Tip: Cody Gakpo anytime scorer ($2.80)

Ecuador to win ($2.50)

I’ve gone back and forth on this fixture, but I’m going with Ecuador here. 

Moises Caicedo at Chelsea is among the best defensive midfielders at the tournament. Then there’s their back line of Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho, who have played full seasons at Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in early 2024 and they know how to compete in tournament football. I’d be lying if I said this pick didn’t come with risk - Ivory Coast are more than capable of winning. But Ecuador’s spine is stronger on paper and I think Caicedo will control the middle of the park. 

At $2.50 it’s a solid free bets play if you’ve got promotional credits to use.

✓ Long Shot: Ecuador to win to nil ($5.00)
✓ Extra Tip: Under 2.5 goals ($1.85)

Sweden to win ($1.95)

Six previous World Cup appearances for Tunisia and they’ve never got out of the group stage. That doesn’t guarantee anything on its own, but the pressure won’t be on Sweden here. They qualified through the UEFA playoffs by beating Poland 3-2 - Viktor Gyokeres scoring in the 88th minute to clinch it - and Alexander Isak has been devastating for Newcastle this season.

I don’t think Sweden will blow anyone away in this game. It’ll be tight for long stretches. But they’ve got more firepower and a better defensive base, and I reckon $1.95 on NZ betting sites is a price worth taking all day.

✓ Long Shot: Alexander Isak to score two or more ($5.50)
✓ Extra Tip: Sweden to win to nil ($3.40)