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  • Soccer Betting News This Week | Goals Galore As World Cup Enters Second Week, Market Watch & Analysis | June 23, 2026
Soccer Betting News This Week | Goals Galore As World Cup Enters Second Week, Market Watch & Analysis | June 23, 2026

Soccer Betting News This Week | Goals Galore As World Cup Enters Second Week, Market Watch & Analysis | June 23, 2026

Seb Blasco
By , Updated on: Jun 23, 2026 12:00 AM
Soccer Betting News This Week | Goals Galore As World Cup Enters Second Week, Market Watch & Analysis | June 23, 2026

After a blistering first round of the 2026 World Cup, and with round two well under way, the race for the knockout stages is starting to shape.

Host nations Mexico and USA have already qualified for the knockout stages, with two wins in two. They are joined by Germany, whose late winner against Ivory Coast sees them through.

Whilst Haiti, Turkey and Tunisia are already planning their trips home, after recording zero points in their opening games.

The race for the Golden Boot is heating up nicely, with all of the main players already on the score sheet, Messi’s hat trick against Algeria being the standout performance so far.

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.

The Fairytale Continuous

One Last Chance to Keep The Party Alive

England Arrive

Yamal Starts for Spain

Egypt Finally Win

The fairytale looks set to continue for Cape Verde, who will now stand a fighting chance of making it through to the knock out stage. After holding European champions Spain to a draw in their opening game, the Blue Sharks went into their tie with Uruguay full of confidence, and boy did they deliver.   A stunning long-range free kick from Kevin Pina put Cape Verde in front, only for Uruguay to find two goals either side of half time. Enter Helio Varela, whose second-half equaliser saw the game end 2-2. The island of just over 500,000 are now dreaming of more, going into their final game with Saudi Arabia knowing a win will guarantee them a place in the knock out phase. They are priced at -175 to reach the last 32.
The Scotland party is still going, but only just. They arrive in Miami for their final game of the group stage off the back of a 1-nil defeat to Morocco, knowing that a point against Brazil will be enough to see them through to the knock out stage. If they can avoid a heavy defeat, they could also slip through on three points.   Many analysts predict the lack of goals in their opening day win against Haiti will ultimately come back to haunt them. Whilst the more positive amongst us point to the fact that only conceding 1 against a strong Morocco side puts them in good stead to go through as one of the best placed teams finishing third.   Either way, Scotland face a momentous task in Miami, and will need to avoid a heavy defeat to stand any chance of progress. Bar owners across America will be hoping the party can continue, with BetNow pricing them at -295 to make it out of the group.
England announced themselves at the tournament in what many are calling the most entertaining game so far. Four first half goals saw England and Croatia go in level at the break. In the second half, England were a different beast altogether, with star man Jude Bellingham driving home to put England in the lead.   The sight of Bukayo Saska and Marcus Rashford coming off the bench in the second half will be enough to strike fear into England’s upcoming opponents, the players combining late in the second half to score England’s fourth. It was a dominant second half display, with England recording 22 shots, 11 of which were on target during the game.   As is tradition, England’s fans are already claiming it’s coming home. They are priced +600 on BetNow to win the World Cup.
Spain fans will be breathing a collective sigh of relief, as Lamine Yamal, deemed not fit enough to start in their shock draw against Cape Verde, was named in the starting lineup. He wasted no time getting back to business, recording his first ever World Cup goal inside 10 minutes.   Golden boot contender, Mikel Oyarzabal added a further two before half time, with Spain running out four nil winners. Spain have started slowly at this tournament, but their convincing win here will alleviate any fear around the credentials to win the tournament. They are still priced as favourites at +500.
Egypt ended a 92 year wait for a World Cup win, with a resounding 3-1 victory against New Zealand. It was that man again, Mohammed Salah, who proved to be the difference, his second half goal putting the Egyptians in the driving seat. The four points should be enough to see them through to the knockouts.    Group G looks like it’s going to be the tightest group of the World Cup, with all four teams going into the final day with a chance at qualifying for the knockouts. Belgium continued to disappoint, only managing a draw against Iran.   

The race for the Golden Boot

The race for the Golden boot has begun, with all the main contenders getting on the score sheet in the opening round of games.

The race for the Golden Boot

The Golden Boot race is starting to take shape, with several major contenders already making their mark as the group stage develops.

Lionel Messi - 5 goals, +300

Messi has once again taken the headlines after a brilliant start to the tournament. His hat-trick against Algeria immediately put him among the leading scorers, and he followed it up with another goal against Austria to move onto five for the tournament. Argentina’s attack continues to revolve around him, and if they keep progressing, Messi should remain one of the standout names in the Golden Boot race.

Harry Kane - 2 goals, +300

The England captain carried his club form into the World Cup with two first-half goals against Croatia. With England set up to get runners around Kane and plenty of service into dangerous areas, he remains central to their attacking threat. If England keep creating chances at this rate, Kane should stay firmly in the Golden Boot conversation.

Erling Haaland - 2 goals, +1000

Haaland made an instant impact in his first World Cup, scoring twice in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq. His finishing and physical presence make him a constant threat, and he already looks capable of turning half-chances into goals. If Norway can stay competitive in a difficult group, Haaland has every chance of remaining in the mix.

Kylian Mbappé - 2 goals, +300

Mbappé recovered from a quiet first half against Senegal to score twice after the break and remind everyone why he is one of the tournament’s most feared forwards. His pace, movement and composure in front of goal make him a natural Golden Boot contender. As France move deeper into the competition, he is likely to remain one of the main names in the scoring charts.

Deniz Undav - 3 goals, +1600

Undav has emerged as one of the surprise early names in the Golden Boot race. Despite not starting every game, he has already made a major impact in front of goal, including a double against Ivory Coast after also scoring in Germany’s opening match. If he keeps earning more minutes, he could yet remain a serious outsider in the scoring race.

Home advantage

Home advantage is already paying dividends, with the USA, Mexico and Canada all producing strong displays across the opening two rounds. Host nations have historically used familiar conditions, passionate crowds and national momentum as a platform for World Cup success, but could one of this year’s home sides go all the way?

USA

The USA have been by far and away the most convincing of the three hosts so far. They recorded a statement 4-1 win on their opening night against Paraguay, followed up by a convincing 2-0 victory against Australia, with both goals coming in the first half.

Even without talisman Christian Pulisic, who was injured for the tie against Australia, they looked confident and coherent, with Folarin Balohun continuing his fine run of form. Of all the home nations, the USA are probably the best bet for a deep run in this tournament. They are currently priced at +130 to reach the quarter finals, and +490 to reach the Semis.

Mexico

Mexico have been efficient so far, without ever really catching fire. Ultimately they have done exactly what they need to do, recording two out of two wins and becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout rounds. The 1-0 victory against South Korea will be particularly pleasing to manager Javier Aguirre.

More than any of the other home nations, Mexico will be hoping that the febrile atmosphere created by a home crowd can carry them through the tournament. Of particular interest is a potential knockout game against England in the round of 16 in Mexico City. Mexico have only ever lost twice at the Azteca in competitive matches.

Mexico are currently priced at +300 to reach the quarter finals, and +850 to reach the Semis.

Canada

Canada came into the tournament having never won a game at the World Cup, and after a 1-1 draw in their opening game with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which they scored a late goal to draw level, the doubters were already questioning whether Jessie Marsch’s men could rise to the occasion.

But on Thursday afternoon in Vancouver  their World Cup exploded into life, beating Qatar 6-0 to send them top of the group. Four points and a +6 goal difference should be enough to see Canada through the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

They are currently priced at -140 to make it to the last 16, and +420 to reach the quarter finals.

Previous betting news updates

  • [June, 2026]: USMNT qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup.
  • [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...

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