WORLD CUP 2026 Thread

[franz555]

It all starts on June 11 and ends with the Final on July 19th. With 10 days until the initial kick off , Im going to post my Group predictions , WCup winner and all wagers in this thread.
Its The Beautiful game that brings us a ton of excitement, culture and memorable moments. One of the greatest games ever played was the 2022 Final with Argentina vs France.
All positive input is always appreciated

Groups :

[franz555]

Group A: ( FIFA rankings )

1 Mexico ( 15 )
2 Czech Rep ( 41 )
3 Sth Korea ( 25 )
4 Sth Africa ( 60 )

Playing on home soil will give Mexico a big advantage in this group stage. I like the Czech's to grab a mild upset over South Korea to grab the 2nd place advancement. Heung - Min Son was an impact player for many years , at 33 his best days are behind him. The supporting cast in midfield is made up of young players like Bae and Gyeong who play against weaker competition. Their pre tournament games have showed promise but inconsistency. Admittedly, I don't know a lot about this South African side, that may come back to haunt me.

To Win Group A : Mexico @ 1.90 / -111 ( 1 unit )

[franz555]

Group B :

1 Switzerland ( 19 )
2 Bosnia & Herz. ( 65 )
3 Canada ( 30 )
4 Qatar ( 55 )

The Swiss are the most balanced side in the Group. Bosnia & Herz were a big surprise to advance past Italy , yet fully deserving. Canada hasnt had the starting 11, that played so well in qualifying stages , due to injuries and prior commitments. Its a very small time frame to find a team unity , so i give the 2nd place nod to B & H. Qatar are a step down in quality , and will most likely be the door mat of the group.

Swiss to win the Group is already over inflated @ 1.72..... Pass

[franz555]

Group C :

1 Brazil ( 6 )
2 Scotland ( 43 )
3 Morocco ( 8 )
4 Haiti ( 83 )

This group will be crazy imo. Haiti fall under the category of " We're just happy to be invited ", so a straight 0 for 3 leaves Scotland and Morocco playing for advancement. Brazil are nowhere near the level of teams past. Viniscus Jr is a great individual talent , but the supporting cast in players like Raphina , injured for long stretches for Barcelona, Henrique playing in Russia only. On a positive note is the recent form of Cunha @ Man Utd this season. They should win this group , but it wont come easy this time around.

[franz555]

Group D :

1 USA ( 16 )
2 Turkey ( 22 )
3 Australia ( 27 )
4 Paraguay ( 40 )

I like this US team when playing behind a loud home crowd. Im a big fan of of coach Pochettino , who came on board with a limited time frame to put this squad together. They had some mixed results along the way , but the core depth of this years edition is as deep as ever before imo. Pusilic , who honed his skills internationally at Dortmund and Chelsea before starting @ AC Milan , is a catalyst for this team. Pepi had a monster year @ PSV , Reyna played in German Bundesliga , Dest @ PSV , Adams who had a great year with Bournemouth....
Turkey has the individual talent available to them in players like Guer and Calhonoglu , but long term injuries make them an unknown entity. I dont think the defensive discipline of Australia will be enough for them to advance in this group , and Paraguay fall in that same category.

June 12 : USA vs Paraguay

USA @ 2.00 / Even ( 1 unit )

[slayer14]

Argentina are the best team in the world, 8/1 are huge odds for them to win

[franz555]

Argentina are the best team in the world, 8/1 are huge odds for them to win

Any team that has Messi will always be a threat to win it all

I'm leaning toward Spain , Portugal and definitely France. Argentina have lost a few steps from 4 years ago , as an experienced side is past their prime. No disrespect intended , just a feeling

And they should cruise out of their group on top

[k13]

Messi has lost 20 of the last 23 tournaments so always a threat to win.

He got his fix, unlikely to win again.

Obviously all the same teams always win so it will be a gay combination of Spain, England, France, Germany.
Brazil sucks so small chance.
Only outside shot Portugal and Netherlands.

World cup is great for betting but boring if you don't care about all the usual teams.

[k13]

Mexico/Canada/USA lines are all inflated especially team total goals.

All three are trash.
7.5 goals so much for Usa/Mexico

[k13]

Ronaldo 2.5 o/u goals in that group.....

[k13]

Some of these lines are funny.
I remember when Argentina was -200 vs Poland last world cup. They should have been -2000 and that's still too low.

Poland sucks so bad and zero chance to win but -200 on a top team like it's some random NHL game...

There's lots of games like this again.

[franz555]

Group E :

1 Germany ( 10 )
2 Ecuador ( 23 )
3 Ivory Coast ( 34 )
4 Curacao ( 82 )

Its an absolute miracle that a country ( Island ) that has a population of 158,000 people can find 11 guys with soccer boots , let alone qualify for a World Cup. Small vacation spot Curacao should be spectators in this group , so the battle is down to 3 teams battling for 2 spots. I think the Germans have transitioned once again , moving on from players like Mueller , Gundogen and Sule. This is a young team with a decent shot of making a run in the tournament once again. Ecuador have played lights out the past 4 years and make a genuine claim to upsetting a team or 2. The Ivory Coast vs Ecuador game on June 14th should be a playoff type of match worth watching.

[franz555]

German Fans

[franz555]

Group G :

1 Belgium ( 9 )
2 Egypt ( 28 )
3 Iran ( 21 )
4 New Zealand ( 85 )

New Zealand are in tough against the other 3. They can defend with dedication to the system , scoring goals against quality sides...... not so much. The one big unknown about Belgium is how father time plays a role. They have a number of key players in the twilight of their careers ( De Bruyne 34 , Meunier 34 , Witsel 37.... ). Tielmens had a fantastic year playing midfield at Aston Villa , ditto for Doku with Man City. I dont see a big leap between Egypt and Iran , Salah could be the diff.

Belgium have an Int'l friendly at Croatia tomorrow that could give some insight as too how they choose to field a starting 11 , experience or youth ?

[franz555]

Group F :

1 Netherlands ( 7 )
2 Japan ( 18 )
3 Sweden ( 38 )
4 Tunisia ( 44 )

This is a very tough group where one key mistake could see you on the outside looking in. The Orange have a lot of depth across the board. Not sure what type of formation Koeman will go with , although he is known for playing tight defense through a 5 man midfield. On any given day the other 3 could steal a win or draw without much surprise. The one thing that i do feel strong about is plenty of goals between Japan / Sweden and Tunisia.

[k13]

Sweden+250 vs Japan....crazy
This is a coin flip game.

[franz555]

This was the 1st half stats of Sweden @ Norway yesterday. No Haaland or a number of starters for Norway. It was 3 - 0 at halftime. This Swedish side are a shadow of their past teams. Japan should be able to carve up the back 4 at will. Japan for me

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Nice writeups, Franz:

1) I always carve out extra time to watch World Cup games. This should be good.
2) I really don't like the 32/48 advancement. Going to be some Dead-rubber 3rd-games.
3) Q: Do you think IRAN will face a tactical dis-advantage by playing on US soil? Countries at war, I know Americans wouldn't feel too comfortable playing in Iran.

[franz555]

Nice writeups, Franz:

1) I always carve out extra time to watch World Cup games. This should be good.
2) I really don't like the 32/48 advancement. Going to be some Dead-rubber 3rd-games.
3) Q: Do you think IRAN will face a tactical dis-advantage by playing on US soil? Countries at war, I know Americans wouldn't feel too comfortable playing in Iran.

Thanks

All valid points Chuck

FIFA saw more money by expanding the playing field. It just creates more lopsided affairs with teams that cant compete at this level ( Haiti , Curacao , Jordan and Uzbekistan to name a few )

With all due respect to the 95% population of the US , Trump has once again influenced the proceedings. FIFA made up some stupid award to appease the Madman's ego while over looking public executions in the streets of Minnesota. ANY other country would have been banned and the games moved from their soil. For the president of FIFA to announce that sending the Iranian team to a hostile environment was a step in a peaceful direction , was insane. Money wins over Humanity once again

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Hi, Franz. I know that Iran petitioned to have their games moved off US soil, seemed reasonable to me. I really think the Iranian players may be uneasy playing on US soil (despite any security guarantees).

[franz555]

Hi, Franz. I know that Iran petitioned to have their games moved off US soil, seemed reasonable to me. I really think the Iranian players may be uneasy playing on US soil (despite any security guarantees).

100 %

[k13]

Harry Kane best striker in the world. . /s
On a top team playing against bums.
o/u 4.5 goals is juiced under -175

[k13]

This was the 1st half stats of Sweden @ Norway yesterday. No Haaland or a number of starters for Norway. It was 3 - 0 at halftime. This Swedish side are a shadow of their past teams. Japan should be able to carve up the back 4 at will. Japan for me

Meaningless game.
Japan can win but odds too high based on Sweden form and qualifying.

South Korea+350 vs Mexico is a nother joke.
60/40 at best game.
Mexico hasn't had a good team in decades.
Being home doesn't mean as much anymore

[k13]

Japan is +250 to Netherlands
And Sweden is +250 to Japan
So Sweden should be how much vs Netherlands....
But they are only +375

England down to -135 to washed up Croatia

[k13]

Argentina only -250 vs Algeria
How many kids blow loads on this.

[slayer14]

https://youtube.com/shorts/wltCaT2uhOA?si=7NbXWmd2f3SCgnKg

[k13]

Lot of value on picking exact forecast like Spain 1st England 2nd.

Nice odds

Only outright odds value is Netherlands.

South American teams can't win.

[franz555]

https://youtube.com/shorts/wltCaT2uh...bXWmd2f3SCgnKg

For as long as I can remember , Pele was the best player / athlete / GOAT i had ever seen. ( Mostly game films from a library her company had on file in the late 60's). Messi quickly moved up to #2 on my list and accomplished everything possible except the Holy Grail of Football. What he did in the 2022 World Cup ( especially as MVP of the greatest Final ever ) was next level.
For the vast majority in the world , he is the greatest ever. Im sold too

1 Messi
2 Pele
3 Cruyff
4 Maradona
5 Ronaldo

Most skilled - Ronaldinho
Best Athlete - Ronaldo ( Portugal)
Most underrated- Iniesta

Thats my list

[franz555]

Meaningless game.
Japan can win but odds too high based on Sweden form and qualifying.

South Korea+350 vs Mexico is a nother joke.
60/40 at best game.
Mexico hasn't had a good team in decades.
Being home doesn't mean as much anymore

Meaningless game ?

The majority of these same players will represent them in 2 weeks

Past road games ( Not at all meaningless )

Loss 4 - 1 @ Switzerland
Loss 2 - 0 @ Kosovo
Tied 2 - 2 @ Slovenia

As i said earlier , that back 4 leaks like Swiss cheese. The 3 against Norway " B " strikers in the 1st half , just confirmed what has been exposed a while ago.

[SaltyPineapple]

Franz u fancy England’s chances? Rolled them in a lotto drawing

[franz555]

Franz u fancy England’s chances? Rolled them in a lotto drawing

Always. They should win their Group with only Croatia posing a problem. Not the usual pressure from World Cup's past. Nobody seems to be talking much about them , despite being ranked #4 in the world. Maybe this is finally their year

[slayer14]

https://youtube.com/shorts/v6GCqMI4AAw?si=2a93ro45RKIUfX4L

[franz555]

Group H :

1 Spain ( 2 )
2 Uruguay ( 17 )
3 Saudi Arabia ( 61 )
4 Cape Verde ( 68 )

Coach de la Fuente of Spain stood on a podium and had to explain his roster selections to a throng of Spanish journalists. Yes Lamine Yamal was ruled fit and chosen to represent. The team is deep and the expectations enormous. They will cruise through the group stage , can they add World Champions to their Euro crown ?
They are co favorites with France @ 5.50 odds , so value isnt that logical imo
Uruguay are the next best in this group and Saudi Arabia Arabia could earn enough points to battle for a 3rd place advancement.

[franz555]

Group I :

1 France ( 1 )
2 Norway ( 31 )
3 Senegal ( 14 )
4 Iraq ( 57 )

There are 3 quality sides in this group and Iraq seems to be here for the scenic tour. Norway are a lot deeper then Haaland and a supporting cast. Players like Berge in midfield and Bobb along side , give this team a scary look when they are on their front foot. Larson is a viable attacking option as a q2th man. They may surprise and make a run. Senegal are the highest ranking African Nation and play a very wide open brand of football. Definately a good candidate for some Over 2.5 goal wagers. France are capable of winning this tourney based on the deepest list of individual talent. It won't be the Mbappe show this time around as many talented players such as Olise are ready for prime time players.

[franz555]

Group J :

1 Argentina ( 3 )
2 Austria ( 24 )
3 Algeria ( 29 )
4 Jordan ( 63 )

This group should be a cake walk for Argentina. Resting key players for the knockout stage will likely be a priority.
Austria should beat Algeria and Jordan to grab an auto advance to the KO stage. If there is a true " Value Play " it has to be Argentina to win it all @ 9.00 odds.