World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 18 June

Portugal to win ($1.28)

DR Congo haven’t been at a World Cup since 1974, when they competed as Zaire. They beat Cameroon and then Nigeria on penalties in the African playoffs just to get here. It’s a great story, but Portugal are reigning Nations League champions and ranked fifth in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo will become the first man to appear at six World Cups, at 41 years old.

I like DR Congo’s attack. Yoane Wissa has Premier League pedigree at Newcastle United and Cedric Bakambu has 21 international goals. They won’t be overawed. 

I just don’t see where they find a result against Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes controlling possession. Portugal should be two up before half-time on NZ betting sites prices.

✓ Long Shot: Portugal -1.5 ($1.75)

✓ Extra Tip: Over 2.5 goals ($1.70)

England to win ($1.80)

Eight qualifying wins. Zero goals conceded. Thomas Tuchel has transformed this England defence, and even without Phil Foden and Cole Palmer - two of the biggest squad omissions in years - there’s a confidence about this group heading into the tournament.

Croatia are runners-up from 2018 and took bronze in 2022, but I’m worried about their recent form. They lost 0-2 to Belgium at home on June 2 and needed a stoppage-time volley from Mario Pasalic to beat Slovenia 2-1 five days later. Luka Modric is 40 now, playing at AC Milan, and this looks like a farewell tour. England put three past Costa Rica in their final warm-up and Declan Rice scored inside 10 minutes.

I’d love to back Croatia on sentiment, but England are too well-drilled for that.

✓ Long Shot: England to win to nil ($2.80)

✓ Extra Tip: Under 2.5 goals ($1.75)

Ghana to win ($2.10)

This is where my confidence dips. Ghana lost 5-1 to Austria in a pre-tournament friendly, and while it was away from home, the defensive issues were obvious. Panama qualified for only their second World Cup after a structured run through CONCACAF and they won’t hand Ghana anything cheap.

But Ghana scored 23 goals across qualifying and lost just once in 10 matches. Kamaldeen Sulemana at Atalanta and Abdul Fatawu at Leicester City have the pace to isolate Panama’s wing-backs in one-on-one situations. At $2.10, Ghana are my riskiest pick of the day.

✓ Long Shot: Both teams to score ($1.95)

✓ Extra Tip: Under 2.5 goals ($1.70)

Colombia to win ($1.40)

Colombia looked sharp in their June warm-ups. They beat Costa Rica 3-1 on June 1 and Jordan 2-0 a week later, with Luis Diaz in good form after a big season at Bayern Munich. He scored seven goals in CONMEBOL qualifying and he’s the most dangerous wide player in Group K.

Uzbekistan are World Cup debutants. They lost 0-2 to Canada on June 2, and the jump from AFC qualifying to facing a squad packed with European experience will be significant. James Rodriguez captains Colombia at 34 - he won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and even at Minnesota United in MLS, the vision hasn’t faded.

The altitude at the Azteca could be a factor too. Mexico City sits at 2,250 metres above sea level and it tires legs in the final 20 minutes. Colombia’s warm-ups were all at sea level in the US. 

I still fancy them, but don’t be surprised if it takes a while to break through at altitude.

✓ Long Shot: Colombia -1.5 ($2.40)

✓ Extra Tip: Over 2.5 goals ($2.00)