Soccer Betting News This Week | World Cup Kicks Off In Style, Market Watch & Analysis | June 17, 2026

By Seb Blasco, Updated on: Jun 17, 2026 12:00 AM

The FIFA World Cup is finally underway, and once again the world’s biggest sporting event has captured the imagination of billions across the globe.

Hosts Mexico kicked things off with an impressive victory over South Africa in Mexico City, whilst the USA overcame Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles. Elsewhere, World Cup newcomers Cape Verde held European Champions Spain to a historic draw, and four time winners Germany hit 7 past Curaçao.

Over in Boston, the Tartan Army have all but drank the town dry on their way to recording their first World Cup win since 1990 against Haiti. And with two groups still to kick off, and the second round of group stages in sight, we look ahead to the stories that will define the coming week.

For everything regarding the World Cup betting online, check out our World Cup page, which will also direct you to some of the best soccer sports betting sites around.

Hosts Nations Get Off To A Flyer

Germany Score Seven

Bouaddi Shines Against Brazil

Caper Verde Make History

No Scotland, No Party

Host nationals, the United States and Mexico, kicked off the World Cup in style, recording convincing first round victories.

First up were Mexico, who kicked off the tournament on Thursday at that most glamorous of World Cup venues, the Azteca (Mexico City Stadium). Arguably one of the most famous World Cup venues of all time, on Thursday evening it became the first venue to host matches at three separate World Cup. Amongst a cacophony of colour and noise, Mexico ran out 2-0 winners against an abject South Africa side. The win puts Mexico in prime position to win the group, with BetNow currently ranking them as favourites at +110. They will face South Korea next in what looks set to be a group decider after they beat Czechia 2-1, placing them as second favourites at +250.

The United States had to wait until Saturday to get their campaign underway, playing out a thrilling 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The USMNT couldn't have asked for a better start, in a dominant performance that many are touting as their best ever World Cup performance. Fans who are old enough to remember the 3-2 victory over Portugal in 2002 will no doubt argue with that statement, but there was no denying the emphatic nature of this victory. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are now firmly in the driving seat to win the group, BetNow pricing them at +125, with many fans now dreaming of a deep run in the tournament.

Germany put down an early marker as one of the teams to watch this summer, thrashing newcomers Curacao 7-1 in Houston. The four time winners overcame an early scare, with Curacao recording their first ever goal at a World Cup to draw level in the first quarter. As has become a theme already, the first hydration break provided some welcome relief for the Germans, who quickly regained the lead before half time. In the second half they clicked into gear, with six different players getting on the score sheet.

Germany are priced at +650 to win the tournament on BetNow, which is already looking like great value for a team that is clearly in form.

In the first high profile match up of the tournament, Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in New Jersey. Morocco took an early lead, before a moment of magic from Vinicius Junior drew things level. Neither team could break the deadlock, nor was there much of an appetite to over extend in the opening match, with both of these teams surely looking at deep runs in the tournament. African champions Morocco will probably be the happier of the two, having controlled much of the game.

No African team has ever won the World Cup, but if that is to change, and one day it will, then this Morocco team will surely be part of that conversation. They are currently priced as rank outsiders to win the World Cup at +5000 on BetNow, amazing value for a team that reached the Semi-Final in 2022, only narrowly losing to France in the Semi-Final.

Another highlight was the impressive display from 18 year old Ayyoub Bouaddi in the Morocco midfield. If rumours are to be believed, he is on his way to Arsenal this summer and is already emerging as a contender for the young player of the tournament award.

Favourites Spain were held to a nil nil draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in the first big shock of the tournament. The Atlantic archipelago of just 600,000 people produced a result which will no doubt rank as the greatest game of soccer in the small nation's history.

Those watching play props will have noticed that Spain started the match without Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams, with both players coming back from injury. It’s testament to Cape Verde that De La Fuente felt it necessary to bring both players on late in the game in a last ditch attempt to break the deadlock.

Despite the draw, Spain remain favourites to win the World Cup at +450, whilst Cape Verde odds of getting out of the group, currently priced at +275, look like great value after their impressive display.

The Tartan army arrived in Boston determined to put on a party and their performance off the pitch has been second to none, recording the loudest noise ever recorded at a World Cup (125 decibels) for their rendition of the Scottish national anthem.

Talisman John McGinn's goal saw them scrape a one nil victory over newcomers Haiti, however fans and pundits alike are rightly fearing that the narrow victory will not be enough to see them through to the knock outs rounds. With Morocco and Brazil in waiting, Scotland will be fearing the worst. They are currently priced at +350 to make it out of the group.

“Flower of Scotland” here in Foxborough. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/txRwKiG2KJ

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) June 14, 2026

Drinks breaks affecting in-play wagering

One of the biggest talking points of the World Cup has been the mandatory drinks breaks...

Now a familiar scene, the referee blows his whistle 22 minutes into each half to allow each team to rehydrate. The three-minute drinks break will be mandatory for all 104 games, with the aim of helping players to tackle heat and humidity.

Whilst no can argue with the medical logic behind the breaks, it has been noted by players, coaches and fans alike, that the stoppage in play acts as a ‘momentum break’, offering teams a chance to re-collaborate their tactics, often favouring a team who is under pressure.

Morocco were leading a lacklustre Brazil side 1-0 before the water break, only for a somewhat improved Brazil to draw level six minutes after play resumed. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged after the game that hydration breaks had enabled him to deliver new instructions to his team and make tactical adjustments.

This pattern was repeated in numerous games, with Canada, Scotland and Australia all scoring in similar circumstances.

So how does this affect in-play wagering?

Put simply, we can expect teams to come back after the break with new instructions from their coaches. This could affect a team negatively or positively, but there is certainly a pattern emerging of goals being scored after the breaks.

If you are focused on In Play wagering, then the addition of the hydration break has introduced a new consideration which needs to be factored into your play.

Virgil van Dijk says he's not a fan of the mandatory hydration breaks introduced at the World Cup 🤔 pic.twitter.com/P5JcUEPcye

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2026

Games to watch

With the first round of matches nearly complete, we look forward to the key games of round two.

England v Croatia

Last but not least, Group L finally gets underway this Wednesday, with England v Croatia offering up one of the picks of the round. A repeat of the 2018 semi-final, both teams will be hoping to stake their claim as potential contenders this summer.

England go into the game off the back of a convincing 3-0 friendly win against Costa Rica in Florida. Big question marks remain over the team Thomas Tuchel will select in his first tournament fixtures since becoming England manager, with starboy Bukayo Saka an injury doubt. On a positive note the performance of Real Madrid man Jude Bellingham against Costa Rica will surely see him start ahead of Morgan Rogers, with Bellingham's performance seen as key to England's chances this summer.BetNow currently price England as slight favourites at -145.

Veteran star Luka Modric will yet again lead Croatia in what will surely be his last World Cup. They were finalists in 2018, and semi-finalists in 2022, so come into the tournament with real pedigree. That said, they have the oldest squad at the tournament, with roughly half their expected starters in their 30’s. Many pundits expect the harsh conditions of this summer's tournament to outway their experience.

Mexico v South Korea

Both Mexico and South Korea recorded wins in their opening game, meaning the clash this Friday in Guadalajara will surely determine who wins the group. Winning Group A is favorable for both nations, as they will then meet a third placed team in the first knock out round, which should ensure a much easier draw.

Mexico put in a solid display against South Africa, but doubters have questioned the strength of South Africa, leading many to question how good this Mexico team really is. South Korea faced tougher opposition in the form of Czechia, coming from a goal down to win 2-1.

Mexico are currently priced as the slight favourites to win the tie at -120, in what will surely be a colorful home atmosphere at the Estadio Guadalajara.

Germany v Ivory Coast

Germany, Ivory Coast is shaping up in similar fashion, with both teams going into the tie knowing a win will likely secure top place in the group. Germany hit seven past minnows Curacao with six different players getting on the scoresheet. Whilst the performance will have no doubt pleased manager Julian Nagelsmann, the strength of the opposition means questions marks remain over how good this Germany side really are.

Ivory Coast, who scored a last-minute winner to beat Ecuador in their opening match, will no doubt provide stiffer opposition for the Germans. The Ivorians will be happy with their opening day win, in what was a competitive match against a decent Ecuador side.

Germany are the current favourites to win the tie, with BetNow pricing them at approximately -180, while Ivory Coast are available at around +475.

USA v Australia

The USA will be hoping to build on their opening day win against Paraguay when they meet Australia this Friday. Again, the tie will likely settle the group winners.

Australia opened their account with an unexpected win against everyone's favourite underdog Turkey. A spirited performance from the Socceroos saw them run out 2-0 winners in a game they were expected to lose.

The US are currently priced as favourites to win the game at approximately -165, but on the basis of Australia's opening day performance, they represent great value for the win at around +450.

Previous betting news updates

[June, 2026]: USMNT kicked off the World Cup with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.
[June, 2026]: Spain are favourites to win the World Cup.
[May 28, 2026]: PSG edged into slight favouritism for the Champions League final in Budapest, with Arsenal still close behind.
[May 27, 2026]: England's World Cup squad announcement caused a stir after several big-name omissions, while they remained among the main contenders.
[May 25, 2026]: Spain stayed near the top of the World Cup outright market despite injury concerns around key players.
[May 22, 2026]: Norway gained traction as a popular dark horse ahead of the World Cup, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.
[April 15, 2026]: Arsenal entered the Champions League quarter-final market as +225 favourites.
[Early February 2026]: Arsenal moved to -500 favourites to win the Premier League following a dominant winter run.
[December 2025]: Arsenal slipped to -145 in the title market after a rash of injuries disrupted their momentum.

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Meet the author

Seb Blasco

Seb Blasco has a background spanning journalism, sports betting, and filmmaking. After earning a degree in sports business with a focus on European football, he began his career as a sport betting analyst, working with major broadcasters and sports betting firms. More r...