World Cup 2026: Odds, Best Bets & Multi Bet │ 23 June

Both teams to score ($1.90)

Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria in his 200th cap was exactly the start Argentina wanted to this World Cup. But I don’t think this one ends with a clean sheet. 

Austria beat Jordan 3-1 in their opener - Marko Arnautovic scored a stoppage-time penalty to seal it - and Ralf Rangnick’s side were in control of that game for long periods. David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer give Austria a spine that can compete here. 

Argentina will be too strong overall - Lautaro Martinez was excellent in the opener alongside Messi - but BTTS at $1.90 is the smarter call for a multi. I’ve been across football betting sites and this price looks right.

✓ Long Shot: Messi to score 2+ goals ($5.00)

✓ Extra Tip: Argentina to win & over 2.5 goals ($2.50)

Over 3.5 goals ($2.20)

France created almost nothing in the first half against Senegal, then flipped the game on its head after the break. Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become France’s all-time leading goalscorer - the opener in the 66th minute and the clincher in stoppage time. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead off the bench between those two, with Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye pulling one back briefly at 2-1 before Mbappe killed it.

Iraq conceded four against Norway. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan’s error gifted Erling Haaland his second goal, and while Aymen Hussein did grab a header to level briefly at 1-1, the defending was poor throughout. 

Bottom line, France will create plenty of chances to clear the 3.5 line. If you’ve got free bets from a sign-up promotion, this is the kind of market to use them on.

✓ Long Shot: France to win 4-0 ($10.00)

✓ Extra Tip: Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer ($1.30)

Norway to win ($2.10)

This is the match that will likely decide second place in Group I, and I’m confident in Norway. 

Haaland’s brace against Iraq - two goals inside 43 minutes, including one forced by his relentless pressing of the goalkeeper - was destructive. Martin Odegaard controlled the midfield and Leo Ostigard’s header from his corner in the 76th minute put the result beyond doubt at 3-1, before an Aymen Hussein own goal added a fourth in stoppage time.

Senegal lost 3-1 to France and were outplayed in the second half. Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson are dangerous on the break, so I’m not pretending this is risk-free. But Norway’s press will cause Senegal problems that Iraq never could. 

At $2.10 on NZ betting sites, this is the leg I feel best about.

✓ Long Shot: Haaland to score 2+ goals ($4.50)

✓ Extra Tip: Over 2.5 goals ($1.90)

Algeria to win ($1.50)

Both sides lost their openers, but the context was wildly different. Algeria faced Messi’s Argentina and went down 3-0 to a hat-trick. Jordan lost 3-1 to Austria, and while that scoreline looked competitive, an own goal on 76 minutes and a stoppage-time penalty inflated it.

Algeria won eight of 10 CAF qualifiers and will target all three points here. 

Jordan are well organised under Jamal Sellami - this is their first World Cup and they’ve been competitive - but they’re limited going forward. Algeria at $1.50 won’t excite anyone on its own, but if you’re browsing betting apps for a standalone single, this is the safest pick on the card. I’ve left it out of the multi to focus on better-priced legs though, as you’ll see below.

✓ Long Shot: Algeria to win to nil ($2.60)

✓ Extra Tip: Under 2.5 goals ($1.70)