FIFA world Cup 2026 Futures and games picks thread

[DiamondJack]

With just under 2 weeks to kick off of the largest world cup ever featuring 104 matches I will share all of my wagers in this thread.



I will post my opinion and future plays group by group as the tournament nears. I shall also pick and play every game along with leans throughout the tournament. There are several new rules that will affect my wagers so hopefully before the books adjust we can take advantage. A GK now has only 5 seconds for a goal kick otherwise a corner is awarded to the other side. Only captains can speak to the referee all others will receive yellow cards. Players covering their mouths making offensive comments will be red carded. If a substituted players cent get off the field in 10 seconds his replacement has to wait 1 minute to be able to get on the pitch. VAR will now also be used to award corners. All that being said I think we see more corners and cards being awarded then usual. I will take those on a game by game basis depending on the referees assigned to a certain match.



GROUP A

MEX

KOR

CZE

RSA



1. Mexico to win the group @ 2.00/+100 (2u)

2. Mexico to reach Round of 16 @ 2.25/+125 (1u)

3. Raul Jimenez top team goal scorer @ 4.00/+300 (1/2 u)

4. Ochoa to win Golden glove @ 81.00/+8000 (1/2 u)



I really cant believe the value you get here at Mexico at evens to win this group. I see them as a true dark horse with a potential meeting versus England in Mexico City in the round of 16 where anything can happen. Up to that point Mexico have a cake walk of a schedule all at home and at elevation for the most part. Mexico's manager has had the core of is Liga MX players released early as well as some European players released early by their club teams to start camp almost a month before their opening game. The Mexican keeper, the legend Memo Ochoa will turn 41 during this tournament and if he is to start which I believe he will in his 6th world cup joining Ronaldo and Messi. He was born in Guadalajara so I really think he puts on a show there versus South Korea. Usually you need to get to the final 4 to get a golden glove award and no one has one more then one. I can cross out previous winners MartineZ (ARG) Neuer (GER) and Curtois (BEL) and if Mexico can make a run which I think they can "Memo" at these odds is a great bet with pizza money. Raul Jimenez of Fulham is the primary penalty taker for Mexico and is worth a shot at being their top team goal scorer.

[DiamondJack]

Group A -- Remaining thoughts





I will be fading all of these three teams regardless of who makes it out in second and/or 3rd place in the next round.



KOREA - Hong Myung-bo the manager is a classic case of a former great player and a bad manager with his simple 4-2-3-1 formation that most of his team does not play at club level thus it might echo what he has accomplished when he was the manager of the national squad in the world cup in Brazil. An early exit and a 4-2 drubbing to Algeria. He was begged to come back after the grifter Klinsmann was fired after the Asian Cup.

CZECHIA - If it was not for some dumb rules in qualification where they were awarded 2 home playoff qualification games both which went to penalties where they took out Ireland and Denmark both which would have been better sides on a neutral field. The side has horseshoes up their behinds. One has to remember this side lost to the Faroe Islands in qualification .Set pieces are their strength that should get them out of this group.

SOUTH AFRICA - Odds on favourite to finish bottom but will they?. This side have only one class player in center forward Lyle Foster of Burnley. He has scored 10 goals for the national side and I will be tempted to bet on him if healthy as an anytime goal scorer versus the likes of Korea and Czechia. Unfortunately when you have 8 players that play for the Orlando Pirates in the domestic league named in the squad there is pretty slim hopes for much progress.

[Optional]

A GK now has only 5 seconds for a goal kick otherwise a corner is awarded to the other side. Only captains can speak to the referee all others will receive yellow cards. Players covering their mouths making offensive comments will be red carded. If a substituted players cent get off the field in 10 seconds his replacement has to wait 1 minute to be able to get on the pitch. VAR will now also be used to award corners.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP B



SWI

CAN

BOS

QAT



5. Qatar total team goals UNDER 2.5 @ 2.00/+100 (1u)



Qatar is the weakest side in the group and should finish bottom of the group. The only future I could find with any value was the team total goals. Qatar only managed to score 1 goal when they were hosts in 2022. In qualification for this tournament they had a -7 goal differential. They conceded 24 goals in their last 10 games. Qatar had to cancel 2 March friendlies due to the Iran situation. Aided by home advantage and a favourable schedule they barely qualified, At most I see them getting a point off the other three nations in their group.



CANADA - The home side has too many unknowns in regards to injuries. Bombito, Jones, Davies, David, Lareya etc. I think they will benefit in playing the Swiss in their last game in what should be the decider for the group winner. If Canada tops the group they get to stay in Canada for their next possible 2 games. There is a tad of value in them topping the group but with so many injuries I'm taking my boys game by game.

SWITZERLAND - The Swiss have been on a good run of form only dropping one game in their last 12 and that was a wild 4-3 loss to Germany. The price on them and their futures all seem on point.

BOSNIA - I think this side has a great chance of advancing out of this group and cause an upset or two. Any side that beat Wales in Wales and made sure Italy did not qualify has to be taken seriously. The squad in undefeated in their last 7 games. I was unable to find any decent futures backing Bosnia but I will be backing them in match play.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP C




BRA

MOR

SCO

HAI



6. Morocco Group C winners @ 6.00/+500 (1u)



On paper Brazil have more quality then Morocco however these are two sides heading in opposite directions. Three years ago these sides met in a friendly with Morocco winning 2-1. The last world cup Morocco made the semis where as Brazil made the quarters. Morocco is in great form with 24 wins and 3 draws. Brazil experienced their worst ever qualifying campaign in history. Their form is poor 12 wins 9 losses and 9 draws. Why is Neymar in the squad?. I'll trust Carlos Ancelotti as the man has won everything there is to be won as a manager. However Brazil must prove it to me they are grossly mispriced. Massive value on Morocco to top this group

SCOTLAND & HAITI - Destined to battle it out with Haiti for 3rd spot. I would not be surprised if they tied their opener with Haiti and ended up with a point & out as one of the worse 3rd place teams. Scotland's form is suspect 2 wins 5 losses and a draw recently. Haiti will be a difficult team to beat. Since 2024 they have 13 wins 4 draws and 5 losses. However outside Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellerde and Sunderland's Wilson Isidor the quality is just not there to trouble the likes of Brazil or Morocco.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP D





TUR

USA

AUS

PAR



This is the tightest group from top to bottom where anything can happen and nothing would surprise me, That being said I have no futures on any of these 4 sides. The only wager I considered was Turkey to win the group. However they play the USA in their last game where you can have a scenario where either team rests players and do not need the win to advance. The USA have been lucky to have played all their opponents recently winning 2-1 versus Paraguay losing to Turkey 2-1 and beating Australia 2-1. They have the talent, they have the manager and I would not be surprised if they do get to the round of 16.

I see Paraguay as the only team here with "value". They only lost 1 game in qualification and will be a hard team to beat. Turkey are priced right. I see Australia as the poorest in quality. Cristian Volpato who was snubbed by Italy finally decided to join the Aussies just last week becoming effectively their best attacking midfielder. I would not be surprised if they snatch a result.

[SaltyPineapple]

thanks for the info, I am tailing all these so far, keep them coming

[DiamondJack]

GROUP E





GER

ECU

CIV

CUR



7. Germany highest scoring team @ 7.00/+600 (1u)



The group winner will come down to the third game between Germany and Ecuador in which I was originally backing Ecuador at the odds. However I think Germany after 2 group stage exits are back and they mean business. They have 8 wins in a row scoring 26 goals for an average on 3.25 for a team total. Sure they have questions at the back and bringing back old man Neuer seems like a gamble. I think Germany shines goes on a high scoring run but comes up short.

Ecuador- This side has been unbeaten in their past 18 games. They say defense wins championips, well these guys have only allowed 2 goals against in South American qualification. In which they only had 1 loss away to Brazil 1-0. Mark Ecuador as a Dark Horse

Ivory Coast & Curacao- I'm looking for a future of an exact group finish as I see this group as a pretty easy 1234. Nothing yet for futures odds.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP F





HOL

JPN

SWE

TUN



8. Japan to win the group @ 4.00/+300 (1u)

9. Japan to reach the round of 16 @ 2.25/+125 (1u)



I'm pretty high on Japan here in this world cup. This is a very easy group for them and their playing style. Coming into this world cup they have 5 straight wins including beating both England and Brazil. In the last world cup Japan beat both Spain and Germany in the group stage. There is very good value on them to top the group. The Netherlands have had questionable results. In qualifying they could not beat Poland both at home and away. They lost a friendly to Algeria a few days ago. The Dutch beat up on the minnows and then play to their opposition be it the top sides or the middle weights. I can't trust them especially at the odds offered.

Sweden- This team should NOT have qualified for the world cup they had ZERO wins in qualification. Some strange BS rules gave them a hope and they won versus Ukraine on a neutral and beat Poland at home to sneak into this world cup. The lost both games to Kosovo in qualification and yet Kosovo is not in the tournament. Fade material big time.

Tunisia- Their opening game versus Sweden will be a battle of mediocrity. In their past 6 games they have only 1 win versus a red carded Haiti team. They will battle it out with Sweden for 3rd place.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP G





BEL

EGY

IRA

NZ



Group G stands for the "geezars" that will lead the 4 teams. Chris Wood on the Kiwis is 34 as is De Bruyne of Belgium. Egypt's Salah will turn 34 this month and Mehdi Taremi will turn 34 in July. Now I wish I was a 34 year old geezer in their shape playing at the world cup but que sara sara. I do not have any futures in this group.

Belgium- The perennial underachievers should top this group with ease. They are on a 13 game unbeaten streak and maybe with zero pressure they go on a run.

New Zealand- They should finish bottom of this group. They have only 1 win in their last 10 games and that was to a Chile side that was red carded. If it wasn't guaranteed a spot with the expanded format they would not be here.

Egypt & Iran- Both sides had a mixed bag of results lately and since both play each other last in this group it could be a hand shake draw to assure 4 points and a passage out of the group for the first time in both nations history.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP H



SPA

URU

KSA

CVR



Spain- The rightful favourites to win the whole thing. Luis de la Fuente ha chosen for the first time in history a squad with no Real Madrid players. Back in the old days there was an issue of Baa and Madid players hating each other ad the nation struggled as a result. I don't think that is the case now days. No value backing them

Uruguay- This is not your decent side of the past few world cups. I will be selectively fading them. I think the manager Bielsa is overrated. Recent results have been mixed 4 wins 6 draws and 3 losses. The still have enough quality to get out of the group.

Saudi Arabia- I see them as overrated minnows that are only good at parking the bus. Recent losses to Serbia, Egypt, Ecuador, Jordan Morocco and Algeria. The only wins are against the lies of world powers like Puerto Rico, Palestine, The Comoros Islands and Oman. I was going to place a future on them to finish bottom of the group. I really do not trust their federation, they are crooked. Bags of cash can be donated for results.

Cape Verde- This is a very underrated team. They recently beat Serbia 3-0 tied Egypt and Finland. I will be backing them versus any side not named Spain. Unless the Saudis have donated something to the African Islands they should get a result.

[DiamondJack]

I must apologize, the new wireless keyboard SUCKS I can't type too fast otherwise it misses letters

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I must apologize, the new wireless keyboard SUCKS I can't type too fast otherwise it misses letters

*You're doin fine. Yes, I hate wireless.

Thx for posting. Always like seeing that I line up on your sides.

*Call me crazy. I expect USA to show something in this tournament (on home soil). I'm calling for Final 8.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP I



FRA

NOR

SEN

IRQ



France- No value backing them at any of the prices offered. The manager DD will go down as the GOAT after this tournament when he steps down after winning everything there is to be won both as a player and a manager. I think several of the stars of France are all about their image then team. It almost reminds me of 2002 where their opening game was versus Senegal which they lost as title holders.

Norway- Everyone's "dark horse" side that has not escaped the bookies odds. They won all their qualification matches and with Haaland of Man city and Odegaard of Arsenal leading a new "GOLDEN GENERATION" they definitely have the talent to get to the Semis. However even if the team brought their own food from Norway to avoid the shite America has on their menu I still think they fail as all the "golden generations" ALA Belgium, England etc of the past.

Senegal- They won the AFCON title vs Morocco and then had it stripped away over leaving the field during a crazy ending this past January. Led by Sadio Mane another geezer of 34 years of age they can snatch a result. I do not expect them to go further them maybe getting to the round of 16.

Iraq- You have to feel for Iraq being drawn into this group. They will try to play the role of spoilers. Yeah they recently tied Spain in a friendly 1-1 but I do not reach much into that. Their manager the Aussie Graham Arnold did lead his native county to the round of 16 at the last world cup where nothing much was expected of them. Iraq will be led by the AFC top qualification goal scorer Aymen Hussein who scored 8 goals in qualification.



Bottom Line-- I'm not that high on France like the books are even though they can easily win. Norway are priced right as a very dangerous side. Senegal as well are properly priced. There is value on Iraq but seriously the talent is just not there.

[DiamondJack]

thanks for the info, I am tailing all these so far, keep them coming

[DiamondJack]

*You're doin fine. Yes, I hate wireless.

Thx for posting. Always like seeing that I line up on your sides.

*Call me crazy. I expect USA to show something in this tournament (on home soil). I'm calling for Final 8.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP J



ARG

ALG

AUS

JRD



Argentina- There has never been a back to back winner of the world cup since Brazil in 1962. Argentina have a very easy group that they should easily top. However I see them crashing out once they encounter decent opposition in the Round of 16 or quarters. I will look to fade them once they encounter decent opposition

Jordan- First time qualifiers will be outmatched in this group. Outside of 1 player Musa Al Taamari who plays for Rennes the rest of the team is just not good enough. I see them finishing bottom but no value there.

Austria & Algeria- This leaves these 2 to battle it out for second. They play each other in the last group game for what might be a handshake draw to take 4 points into the next round. Both sides come into the Cup with decent form Algeria 6 wins with a loss and a draw. Austria 9 wins with also a loss and a draw. Austria lost arguably their best player Baumgartner of Leipzig to injury. Algeria on the other hand have Zidane, that does tip the scales?



I have no futures in this group unless someone has Algeria to finish second posted somewhere at great plus money odds.

[Hoopball328]

I look forward to these write-ups every EuroCup and WorldCup, thanks again DiamondJack!

[-FlawlessKid]

Always appreciate your write ups DJ, thank you for the great analysis. Fun to follow! Have a good WC mate.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP K





POR

COL

CON

UZB



Portugal- They have the worlds best midfield and that is why they are my pick to win it all. I see them making a run similar to the Euros which they won. Ronaldo is not the same but as a talisman he will do anything to go out on a career high.

Colombia- I was backing this side at the Copa America and it almost got there. However since they had a pretty bad qualification going 4-4-4. They dropped their 2 friendlies in March. They will benefit from playing Portugal last in what could be a dead rubber.

DR Congo- They do have a few players playing in the England. Wissa of Newcastle, Sadiki in Sunderland and Bissaka from West ham to name a few of the top players will try to tip Uzbekistan to get 3 points and make it out of the group.

Uzbekistan - They really only have one player Manchester City's Khusanov and the rest do not play in any top leagues. They will finish bottom.



10. Bruno Fernandes Golden Ball winner @ 21.00/+2000 (1/2 u)

11. 1st time world cup winner YES @ 3.50/+250 (1u)

[DiamondJack]

I look forward to these write-ups every EuroCup and WorldCup, thanks again DiamondJack!

[DiamondJack]

Always appreciate your write ups DJ, thank you for the great analysis. Fun to follow! Have a good WC mate.

[DiamondJack]

GROUP L





ENG

CRO

GHA

PAN



England- Can Tuchel a German coach finally deliver the trophy home? That would be ironic. He had the courage to omit better players for more of a team cohesion side, thus the results here are all on his shoulders. I hate all the futures backing England they have to travel a lot and might have to play Mexico in Mexico and then perhaps Brazil in Miami. If you are backing the 3 lions do it game by game.

Croatia- The nucleus of this squad was forged more then a decade ago and now this old squad led by Modric is having their last kick at the can. A nation so small what they have accomplished is no short of a miracle. I'm not writing them off but as they say father time is undefeated.

Ghana- This is not the Ghana of 20 years ago when they had a great squad, They will be lead by Man City striker Semenyo, but will miss injured Spurs man Kudus. It will be a 50/50 fight with Panama to get max points

Panama - On paper they are the oldest side at this tournament. They will be a tough out as the climate and weather will suit the team that had to go through central American qualification. Their team base is very close to my cottage so I must do some recon over the next few weeks

[DiamondJack]

MEXICO V SOUTH AFRICA





1. Total cards in match OVER 4 @ 2.03/+103 (1u) Bet365

2. Mexico -2.5 Corner handicap @ 1.95/-105 (1u) Bet365

Lean

Mexico win to Nil @ 2.00/+100

I'm already pretty invested in Mexico here so I'm not going to double dip here. The Brazillian referee Wilton Sampaio averages 5.15 yellow cards per game and .23 red cards per game. FIFA has their new speed up the game rules so I think we see at least 4 cards. For those new to this prop bet, a red card is worth 2 to the total. My numbers also have Mexico at 6.5 total corners versus 2.5 to South Africa. I think Mexico dictate the pace and cover the corner handicap. Its worth noting that there are thunderstorms forecast for later in the game. If I do anything IN GAME I will also post it here.

[Capybara]

Good luck in here, Jack!

[DiamondJack]

Good luck in here, Jack!

[DiamondJack]

KOREA V CZECHIA



3. HT Result DRAW @ 2.00/+100 (1u) Bet365

4. FT Result DRAW @ 3.10/+210 (1u) Bet365

Lean

HT/FT Result Draw/Draw @ 4.59/+350

I expect both sides to start off slow trying to get a feel for the game. Both will be looking not to lose first. There might be some weather in Guadalajara which should further bog down the game.

[DiamondJack]

BOSNIA V CANADA





5. Canada Total Team Corners OVER 5.5 @ 2.00/+100 (1u) Bet365



Lean

Total Cards OVER 4 @ 1.80/-125



In Canadas last 5 games they had 12, 7, 9, 8, 12 corners awarded that is an average of 9.5 all I'm asking for is 6. Fecundo Tello of Argentina averages 4.78 Yellows per game & .14 Red Cards. I wanted to take this over when it was 3.5 last night but the line has moved. I may play this card prop in game. I think Bosnia will struggle to match Canadas speed and that will lead to more fouls perhaps even a penalty.

[DiamondJack]

USA V PARAGUAY



6. USA ML @ 2.11/+111 (1u) Bet365


Lean

Pulisic anytime goal or assist @ 2.40/+140


These sides just met in a friendly this past November with the US winning 2-1. The US has won the last 3 head to head games. I mean if you can't beat the likes of Paraguay at home in your world cup opener then what are we doing here? I really fancy the US to make a memorable run in this world cup and that starts with your best player being in form. I think Cristian Pulisic has a good game just like the Copa America opener where he scored and assisted.

[Capybara]

BOSNIA V CANADA





5. Canada Total Team Corners OVER 5.5 @ 2.00/+100 (1u) Bet365



Lean

Total Cards OVER 4 @ 1.80/-125



In Canadas last 5 games they had 12, 7, 9, 8, 12 corners awarded that is an average of 9.5 all I'm asking for is 6. Fecundo Tello of Argentina averages 4.78 Yellows per game & .14 Red Cards. I wanted to take this over when it was 3.5 last night but the line has moved. I may play this card prop in game. I think Bosnia will struggle to match Canadas speed and that will lead to more fouls perhaps even a penalty.

Great look here, Jack!

[DiamondJack]

QATAR V SWITZERLAND





7. Total cards OVER 3.5 @ @ 1.83/-120 (1u) Bet365



Lean

Swiss win to Nil @ 1.80/-125



I'm locking the card prop early as I lost out on the Canada game before it moved. The referee for this match Said Martinez averages 4.62 yellows and .29 reds. Qatar are not a skillful team and often foul above average especially versus better quality sides. I don't see how the Swiss lose this game they have only 1 loss in their last 14 where as Qatar have only 1 win in their past 11 games. Qatar have only scored 1 goal in their last 5. I dug deep into all the prop bets and found nothing. As always I will post any in game plays here just in case the Swiss show up lazy.

[DiamondJack]

World Cup Record after the first 2 days;



4-2-0 +209

Leans

3-1 +240

[DiamondJack]

BRAZIL V MOROCCO



8. HT Result DRAW @ 2.25/+125 (1u) Pinnacle



Lean

Morocco +0.5 @ 2.25/+125


I'm not going to double dip here on Morocco as I have them winning the group so essentially they need something out of this game. Morocco are now unbeaten in 29 games conceding only 12 goals against. Morocco beat Brazil a couple years ago 2-1. Brazil is in mixed form 5 wins 3 losses and 1 Draw. Losses to France Japan & Bolivia the draw with Tunisia. Its going to be hot in New York at kick off so I expect a slow start thus backing the HT draw.

[DiamondJack]

HAITI V SCOTLAND



9. Haiti +1 @ 1.98/-102 (1u) Bet365

10. Total Corners OVER 9.5 @ 1.98/-102 (1u) Bet365


Lean

Scotland Over 5.5 team corners @ 1.83/-120


This is essentially a must win for both sides knowing what's on tap the next two games. I'm expecting both sides to open up and attack which should equal more corners. In Scotland's last 5 games there were 9, 10, 12, 11 & 11 total corners. Scotland's is a better side on paper but all but 1 player on Haiti plays in Haiti. They will be a tough out. Form wise they are 4-3-3 to Scotland's 6-3-1. I had the odds pegged at 1.80/-125 for Scotland. Even though Scotland might win, Haiti are being disrespected by the books.

[DiamondJack]

TURKEY V AUSTRALIA





11. Turkey ML+OVER 5 total corners (SGP) @ 1.83/-120



Lean

Turkey Over 5.5 team corners @ 2.10/+110



Keeping it simple here and backing the better side. I tied the ML total corners in a same game parley to make the ML more palatable. Form wise Turkey have won 7 of their past 8 with a draw 2-2 with Spain. The Aussies have only 2 wins in their past 7 games and those were to Curacao & Cameroon. Turkey i their past 2 games had a team total of 12 corners and 13 corners so I think as the better side pressing here knowing the US result they could win some corners here.