World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 21 June

Over 2.5 goals ($1.87)

This could be the game of the round. Netherlands scored twice against Japan through Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville and still couldn’t close it out - Daichi Kamada’s 89th-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw. Ryan Gravenberch assisted both Dutch goals and was their best player on the night. 

Sweden were even more prolific in their opener, thumping Tunisia 5-1 with a brace from Yasin Ayari. Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak were also on the scoresheet, and Mattias Svanberg added the fifth.

That scoreline flattered Sweden though. They generated under 1.5 expected goals and their defence looked vulnerable before Tunisia collapsed around them. I’m not confident enough to pick a winner - Sweden’s front two of Gyokeres and Isak are too dangerous to dismiss, and Netherlands on one point can’t afford to be cautious. Three or more goals feels very likely. 

I’ve been checking football betting sites and $1.87 is my favourite leg in this parlay.

✓ Long Shot: Over 3.5 goals ($2.60)

✓ Extra Tip: Both teams to score - Yes ($1.70)

Germany to win ($1.55)

Germany put seven past Curacao in their opener and looked like they still had another gear. 

Ivory Coast did get their three points against Ecuador too, but Amad Diallo came off the bench in the 56th minute and scored in the 90th to steal it. Without that moment from the Manchester United winger, they were heading for a goalless draw after being second best for long stretches.

I don’t see Ivory Coast containing Germany in Toronto. 

At $1.55 this is the safest leg in this parlay. Worth a look at over 2.5 goals on NZ betting sites too at $1.71.

✓ Long Shot: Germany -1.5 ($2.20)

✓ Extra Tip: Over 2.5 goals ($1.71)

Ecuador -2.5 ($2.25)

Ecuador dominated Ivory Coast in the opening round and lost 1-0. John Yeboah and Alan Minda both struck the crossbar in the first half, while Enner Valencia found the woodwork after the break. Their finishing let them down, not chance creation. 

Curacao, meanwhile, conceded seven against Germany and are the smallest nation at this tournament with a population of around 150,000.

I’m tipping Ecuador to cover the handicap because they need to repair their goal difference and this fixture is the obvious place to do it. 

Moises Caicedo should control midfield, and Curacao played with ambition against Germany and paid for it - if they do the same in Kansas City, this could be a rout. Ecuador to win at $1.15 is dead money. 

The $2.25 for -2.5 is where I’d go. Check our recommended betting apps for this one.

✓ Long Shot: Ecuador -3.5 ($4.00)

✓ Extra Tip: Ecuador to win to nil ($1.70)

Japan -1.5 ($2.60)

Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 loss to Sweden and appointed Herve Renard with days to prepare. They’d also lost 5-0 to Belgium in their final pre-tournament friendly - that’s 10 goals conceded across two matches. Renard is experienced at international level, but walking into a World Cup dressing room mid-tournament is about limiting the damage, not turning things around overnight.

Japan trailed Netherlands twice in Dallas and came back both times, with Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada grabbing equalisers. Takefusa Kubo and Ao Tanaka were excellent on the counter despite the absences of Kaoru Mitoma and captain Wataru Endo. 

Japan by two or more against this Tunisia side feels right. At $2.60, it’s my value pick in the parlay.

✓ Long Shot: Japan -2.5 ($5.50)

✓ Extra Tip: Japan to score in both halves ($2.10)