World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 22 June

Over 3.5 goals ($2.20)

Spain posted 2.29 xG and had 27 shots in their draw against Cape Verde - so in many ways it was bad luck, not bad play. 

Lamine Yamal is expected to start this time after coming off the bench at 71 minutes in the opener, which I think will have a big impact. Ferran Torres and Marc Cucurella both had clear-cut chances against Cape Verde, and Mikel Oyarzabal was denied late on by a Pico Lopes block on the line.

Saudi Arabia are not Cape Verde. They will push further up the pitch, and when you do that against Spain, you get caught on transitions. Abdulelah Al-Amri poked in a rebound against Uruguay after Fernando Muslera parried Mohamed Kanno’s header, so the Saudis can contribute to the total. I’m going over 3.5.

✓ Long Shot: Spain -2.5 ($2.00)

✓ Extra Tip: Lamine Yamal anytime scorer ($2.50)

Belgium to beat Iran by 2+ goals ($2.25)

Lukaku came on against Egypt and forced an own goal within 22 seconds. He should start this time, and that alone should be worth a goal against Iran’s defence. Kevin De Bruyne also looked sharper as the Egypt game wore on, bending a free kick off the post before having football betting sites pricing him as a favourite in the anytime scorer market.

Iran were decent against NZ - Ramin Rezaeian scored and assisted - but they conceded twice to a side ranked 85th in the world. Belgium are several levels above, and I’m backing them to cover the -1.5 line. I’m not fully confident in a clean sheet, but two-goal margin feels right.

✓ Long Shot: Belgium to win to nil ($2.00)

✓ Extra Tip: Romelu Lukaku anytime scorer ($1.85)

Uruguay to win ($1.45)

Cape Verde deserve plenty of credit for what they did against Spain. Vozinha’s seven saves, Pico Lopes’ 11 clearances - an incredible defensive display from a nation of half a million people. 

But asking them to replicate it against a completely different style of opponent is a big ask.

Uruguay play with higher intensity and more direct forward movement than Spain, and their pressing should test Cape Verde’s ability to play out from the back in a way Spain’s patient possession didn’t. Darwin Nunez missed chances against Saudi Arabia but he only needs one. Federico Valverde arriving late into the box gives Uruguay a secondary route to goal. 

NZ betting sites have this at $1.45.

✓ Long Shot: Uruguay -1.5 ($2.50)

✓ Extra Tip: Darwin Nunez anytime scorer ($1.75)

Both teams to score ($2.00)

Obviously, a big part of me wants to tip NZ here. But I can’t overlook that Egypt have Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush up front, plus a midfield that controlled stretches of play against Belgium. Egypt are the better side.

But NZ are not in Vancouver to defend for 90 minutes. Elijah Just scored twice against Iran, Chris Wood set up both goals, and the All Whites put eight shots on target in LA. Darren Bazeley’s side had a go against Iran and I expect the same approach here, especially with a decent Kiwi contingent in the stands. 

Egypt will score - Salah assisted Emam Ashour’s opener against Belgium and he’s due one of his own. And I reckon NZ find the net too. Both teams to score at $2.00 is where the free bets should go, and it finishes this multi with a market I feel good about.

✓ Long Shot: NZ to win ($5.50)

✓ Extra Tip: Chris Wood anytime scorer ($3.50)