World Cup 2026: Predictions for June 26 Group Stage

The final World Cup 2026 group stage matches for Groups G, H and I take place on Friday, June 26. The biggest match gets the day started with Norway and France squaring off for first place in Group I. Not only does the match feature a pair of 2-0 teams, it also has two of the best players in the tournament in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, who scored a brace in each of their first two matches.

There are other matches on the slate, including a key Group H showdown between pre-World Cup favorite Spain and Uruguay. Following a dud in their opening match draw, the Spaniards looked like the team everyone expected beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and they are considerable World Cup betting odds favorites in this contest.

World Cup 2026 Group Matches Today

There will be no suspense with the monumental clash between Norway and France for first place in Group I first on the schedule. France owns the goal differential edge so a win or draw sends them to the Round of 32 as a first place qualifier. Both teams are moving on; it's just a matter of where they’re seeded. Third place and a possible wild card invitation are on the line in the match between Senegal and Iraq.

Spain can claim first place in Group H by beating Uruguay with a loss dropping the group favorite behind in the standings. With a pair of draws on their resume, Cape Verde can make things interesting within the group by beating Saudi Arabia that will clinch at least a trip to the knockout stage. The Group H matches will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET.

The standings in Group G will be settled in the late games starting at 11 p.m. ET. Similar to Group H, Egypt sits on top as the only team to win a match this far. Their 3-1 win over New Zealand gives them a 2-point cushion over Iran and Belgium. The pressure is on Iran in their showdown with Egypt while group favorite Belgium is hugely favored to beat New Zealand.

Today’s World Cup Groups Odds

• Belgium and Senegal are the biggest favorites on the daily World Cup betting odds with Spain and France not far behind. Expect some intense action with positioning and qualification still at stake.
• Egypt can clinch first place in Group G and Cape Verde can secure a trip to the next stage with wins. They are both positioned as plus-money favorites on the early odds board with Egypt +150 against Iran (+276) and Cape Verde priced at +125 over Saudi Arabia (+198).
• With a pair of dominant wins France usurped Spain as the favorite to win the World Cup and gets a test against an equally impressive Norwegian group. Early odds positioned France as a -176 favorite with Norway at -432.
• 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

It doesn’t get any better than this in the group stage. Norway and France have already qualified for the knockout stage with this heavyweight clash determining the group winner. And two of the best strikers in the world go head to head with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe tied for second in the race for the Golden Boot. The defensive structure of the French gives them an advantage in this matchup.

Match 2 Prediction and Betting Preview

Senegal and Iraq dropped matches to Group I powers France and Norway making this showdown a must-win to keep any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive. Senegal was closer in its losses using its European club experience. Senegal started a decline in pre-World Cup friendlies but has played much stiffer competition and they will welcome the chance to tangle with an Iraqi squad that’s conceded seven goals in two matches. Senegal’s implied win probability is around 79 percent.

Match 3 Prediction and Betting Preview

Cape Verde has become the darlings of the World Cup 2026 group stage and can advance to the Round of 32 with a win or possibly a draw against Saudi Arabia. They’ve relied heavily on goalkeeper Vozinha, who was brilliant in the scoreless draw against Spain in the opener. Explosive counter attacks can subdue a Saudi squad that needs to be aggressive and win to have any chance at advancing as a wild card.

Match 4 Prediction and Betting Preview

Spain is a big favorite on the World Cup betting odds to beat Uruguay and clinch first place in Group H. After opening with a 0-0 draw, the Spaniards showed their depth and explosiveness in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia getting a goal from Lamine Yamal in his first World Cup start. There were questions about Yamal’s fitness but he seems fine after scoring 10 minutes into his start. Uruguay likely needs a near flawless performance to overtake Spain and avoid leaving qualification up to tiebreakers.

Match 5 Prediction and Betting Preview

Egypt is in the driver’s seat in Group G needing only a draw to advance to the knockout stage for the first time ever. Following consecutive draws Iran needs a victory to guarantee they advance and will need to open up their game in order to score. That style plays to the strength of Egypt, who can exploit space on the counter attack with high-level finishers. A strong defensive wall allows the Egyptians to absorb pressure before launching lethal counter strikes. There is value backing Egypt at plus-odds on the moneyline

Match 6 Prediction and Betting Preview

Group G remains wide open with pre-tournament favorite Belgium still in the hunt for first place. They are heavily favored to beat New Zealand in the final match needing a victory after two frustrating draws to claim a spot in the Round of 32. It’s hard to fathom Belgium’s lineup not producing a goal through two matches. An own goal was their lone marker in a 1-1 draw with Egypt. They can break their slump against a fragile New Zealand squad that’s conceded five goals in two World Cup matches.

Best World Cup Betting Angles for Today

• The best World Cup betting angles for matches on June 26 involve targeting individual player props. France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland each have four goals and Spain’s Lamine Yamal appears to be fit.
• With the stakes increased in the final matches teams will either be forced to play aggressively in need of a win to keep their World Cup hopes alive or they will switch tactics and be more conservative so as not to lose.

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

A few teams will have to abandon structured game plans in order to win and improve their chances of advancing to the next stage; and teams needing to improve their goal differential offer up value in the scoring market. At the start of the World Cup there wasn’t much hype around Cape Verde other than it being the smallest country to ever participate. After two draws they’re in position to advance with the pressure mounting.

Daily World Cup Prediction Summary

The top match of the day involves France with its relentless attack and defensive spine in a tussle with Norway. Not only is first place in Group I on the line, two of the top strikers in the world will be going head-to-head adding a little more to the game. Teams that have struggled on the back end are forced to press the issue in an attempt to win leaving them vulnerable. I think we’ll see plenty of goals on this day.