World Cup 2026: Predictions for June 25 Group Stage

The final World Cup 2026 group stage matches for Groups D, E and F take place on Thursday, June 25. The United States and Germany have already clinched a spot in the knockout round by winning both their matches to claim first place in their respective group. Both countries entered the tournament as the World Cup betting odds favorite to win their group.

There is still plenty to play for with Tunisia and Turkey the only teams among the 12 playing on June 25 to have been eliminated from the Round of 32. Three teams still have a shot at winning Group F with Netherlands currently on top by goal differential. The Dutch seized control with a dominant 5-1 win over Sweden and can clinch by beating Tunisia.

World Cup 2026 Group Matches Today

Four more automatic qualifiers to the Round of 32 will be decided on June 25 with Group E getting the party started at 4 p.m. ET. Curacao earned its first World Cup point behind a record-setting performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room, who made 15 saves in the scoreless draw with Ecuador. Curacao and Ivory Coast both need a win to have any hope of finishing second behind Germany.

The middle matches of the day take place at 7 p.m. ET and involve Group F. A win over group longshot Tunisia gives first place to Netherlands. Tunisia has been outscored 9-1 and is a severe underdog. Sweden needs to win its match against Japan to automatically qualify. A loss or a draw gives the spot to the Japanese.

Turkey entered the World Cup as the second favorite behind the US in Group D, but they were eliminated from the next stage having yet to record a point or a goal. They will be playing for pride against a US team that locked up first place with a 2-0 win over Australia. The Aussies need a win to finish second in the group with any other result giving Paraguay the automatic spot.

Today’s World Cup Groups Odds

• Even though they’ve clinched first place the USMNT and Germany are slight favorites in their final World Cup 2026 group stage matches. It’s common to see teams that have already qualified rest starters or limit minutes.
• Ivory Coast and Netherlands are huge favorites in their matches leaving them unplayable on the moneyline. Ivory Coast is priced at -725 to beat Curacao (+1705) and clinch second place in Group E. Following a dominating effort against Sweden, Netherlands is positioned as a -780 favorite to beat Tunisia.
• The US (-105) and Germany (-110) are slight favorites on the World Cup betting odds to win their matches. Both countries have already clinched first in their group, but Germany is facing a desperate Ecuador (+260) club that needs a win to have any chance at the next stage.
• 3-way moneyline betting offers the “early payout” feature. This means if the team you backed leads by two or more goals at any point during regular time your bet or leg will be settled as a winner, regardless of the final result. All bets that have not triggered the early payout condition will be settled on the full time result.

Match 1 Prediction and Betting Preview

Ivory Coast came within about 25 minutes of upsetting Germany, but instead they were the ones upset after conceding the game-winning goal late into second half stoppage time. Ivory Coast’s defensive structure stymied the German attack and a win in this match gets them second place in the group. Curacao has been exposed by top-tier attacking talent in the tournament and needed a Superman-like 15-save performance from Eloy Room in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.

Match 2 Prediction and Betting Preview

The only path Ecuador has to the next stage is beating Germany. They need other things to happen, but losing is not an option. And because they need a win you can expect Ecuador to open things up on the attack. Germany is among the World Cup title favorites because of incredible squad depth with little drop off from their starters. If the Germans elect to rest some key players they’ll still have enough firepower and talent on the pitch to inflict damage making their moneyline price inviting.

Match 3 Prediction and Betting Preview

Sweden needs to beat Japan to automatically qualify and the winner of this match could finish first if Netherlands were upset by Tunisia. Since that’s highly unlikely to happen the winner here gets second place. Neither side will let up with so much at stake, but Sweden’s aggressiveness will be used against them by Japan’s balanced and fluid attack. Japan thwarted a meek Tunisia attack in a 4-0 win not allowing a shot on goal and a draw in the finale is enough to qualify for the Round of 32.

Match 4 Prediction and Betting Preview

The Netherlands is a massive -780 favorite on the World Cup betting odds to beat Tunisia and clinch first place in Group F. Tied with Japan in points and goal differential the Dutch are motivated to attack like they did in a 5-1 thrashing of Sweden when they tallied in the fifth minute. Tunisia has been one of the worst teams in the World Cup getting outscored 9-1 and they’re likely to load the back line to prevent goals rather than to create on their own. Tunisia is playing for pride, but they are overmatched.

Match 5 Prediction and Betting Preview

The winner of the match between Paraguay and Australia gets second in the group and automatically qualifies for the knockout stage. Having the goal differential advantage puts Australia a little more at ease with a draw sending them ahead. A draw would likely advance Paraguay to the next stage, but they must play without top offensive threat Miguel Almiron, who was suspended after getting a red card last match.

Match 6 Prediction and Betting Preview

Already into the knockout stage after winning their group in two matches, the USA is poised to sit several players to avoid injury or yellow card accumulation. Top striker Christian Pulisic didn’t play in the win over Australia and if he’s fit he’ll likely sit or play limited minutes. And several players need to avoid another yellow card that would lead to a suspension. Many on the Turkey side have called the World Cup a huge disappointment and they would hate to end it without a single point or goal.

Best World Cup Betting Angles for Today

• With some countries already qualified for the knockout stage and others officially eliminated, betting value lies in backing desperate teams or targeting totals on squads that are unmotivated.
• Targeting the UNDER on the total in games involving the US and Germany has value with those squads more than likely resting key players. Lineup disruptions often lead to a lack of continuity on the pitch.

Prime is offering Same Game Parlays for soccer that gives bettors the option of combining multiple selections from one game into a single wager. The choices could include match result, totals, player props, and more.

How Group Standings Affect Today’s Predictions

With US and Germany securing first place in their group coaches will more than likely make changes to their lineup with star players sitting or playing fewer minutes in order to stay fit for the next stage. The second Group D favorite behind the US entering the tournament, Turkey’s World Cup has been disappointing. Salvaging a win would make the trip home a little smoother.

Daily World Cup Prediction Summary

Ivory Coast and Netherlands are heavily favored to win so targeting alternative markets gives us better value while staying with the prediction. I’m not sure how motivated German and the US will be having already secured first in their group and the automatic qualification. There is value on the moneyline but it’s risky since we’re unlikely to see starters on the pitch in the second half.