2026 FIFA World Cup Best Bets (July 3): Argentina vs. Cape Verde Odds & Prediction

Today we find out the final three nations that will advance to the Round of 16. The defending World Cup champion will be on the pitch in Miami this afternoon. Meanwhile, two African nations try to crash the party in the other Round of 32 matches.

I won all three of my Soccer Best Bets on Thursday. I've been successful on four of my last five. My record is now 12-15 for the 2026 World Cup. I'm filling out betting slips for three best bets today. The odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

New to World Cup wagering or looking for a second or alternate sports betting app? The Best Betting Offers page has all the details you need.

World Cup Odds for Friday, July 3

The weekend kicks off with three matches. The broadcasts are available on FOX, Peacock, or Telemundo.

Odds via FanDuel

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

Newcomer

Caesars Promo

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

-

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

World Cup Best Bets: Australia vs. Egypt

Oddsmakers see Egypt as the favorite in this first match on Friday. The Pharaohs are undefeated in this World Cup, trying to get into the Round of 16 for the first time since 1934, when this tournament was much different. A win against the gritty Aussies would vault Egypt's football program into a new era. To do so, it will need to harness an attack that has been inconsistent so far.

The Australians have conceded only two goals, both coming in their loss to the United States. Other than two goals against Turkey in the World Cup opener, Australia has failed to find the net in its last two matches. Attempts have been scarce, something the team needs to address in this matchup.

But Egypt has an edge in defending tactics: through three matches Egypt has forced 155 turnovers, compared to only 118 for Australia. The middle of the field will determine the winner of this match in Arlington, Texas.

Key Match Stats (Australia vs Egypt, 2 p.m. ET)

• Australia has taken only 26 shots on goal, the second-lowest for a team in the Round of 32, behind only Ghana.
• Egypt has conceded one goal in each of its three matches, but has yet to lose, and has outshot its opponent in all three matches.
• Both teams are disciplined: Australia and Egypt both have committed just 34 fouls, which ranks 34th of the 48 teams in the FIFA World Cup.

There has been at least one zero on the board in every match for Australia, while in all three of Egypt's matches both teams have scored at least once. This early match hinges on which team capitalizes on the few scoring opportunities. Egypt has more experience, and I like it in this match, but not enough to risk a match outcome wager. Instead, I've picked a match prop based on goals.

• Both Teams to Score, NO (-142, FanDuel)

This wager will cost you upfront, but given the low scoring chances from both teams (only 24 combined Attempts On Goal in six matches), I'll pay extra for the payoff on the backend.

World Cup Best Bets: Argentina vs. Cape Verde

The lopsided match of the day will feature legend Lionel Messi attempting to add to his record 19 goals in World Cup competition. Can Cape Verde shut him out? Does it have a chance to topple the defending champs?

The island of Cape Verde has fewer people than Albuquerque, New Mexico. Yet, here it is in the Round of 16, having become the smallest nation (by geography and population) to qualify for the World Cup. The team pulled of a stunning draw against Spain in the group stage. But given the disparity in talent on these rosters, it's time for Cinderella to turn in her slipper.

We may as well call Cape Verde the "Even Stevens." That's because the team has posted three draws in its first World Cup. The Cape Verde defenders have submitted two clean sheets in this tournament, but that record will be tested against Argentina's famous set-play schemes.

Combine Argentina's elite 91% Passing Accuracy (per FIFA stats) and the fact it Cape Verde controls possession less than 40% of the time, and we may see lots of goals scored by the La Albiceleste.

Key Match Stats (Argentina vs Cape Verde, 6 p.m. ET)

• Argentina has won its last seven matches against African opponents at the World Cup.
• Argentina has 5 unassisted goals, a total only exceeded by Canada (6).
• Argentina has more than doubled-up on Cape Verde in terms of Shots on Target in this tournament: 15 to 7.
• Cape Verde has controlled possession only 36% of the time, a figure that ranked 29th of the 32 teams in the first knockout phase.

Cape Verde is averaging fewer than three shots on target per match. Much of its strategy has been to hang back and try to break a long pass. Cape Verde's possession time is a huge disadvantage: you simply cannot allow Messi and Argentina to control the ball more than 60% of the time without surrendering a crooked number on the scoreboard.

• Over 3.5 Goals Scored (+154, FanDuel)

World Cup Best Bets: Colombia vs. Ghana

Ghana finds itself in the Knockout Phase for the first time, and it's task is to defeat Colombia, which is seeking to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2018.

The Black Stars are breathing a sigh of relief: Manchester City midfielder Antoine Semenyo has been cleared to play after recovering from a scary ankle injury. His presence is needed against a very technical and experienced Colombia squad.

Key Match Stats (Colombia vs Ghana, 9:30 p.m. ET)

• Ghana has produced only three Shots on Target in the World Cup, the 47th lowest total of the 48 teams that played three matches.
• In spite of the discrepancy in Shots, Shots on Target, and xG, where Colombia has an edge, Ghana's xG Efficiency Rate is higher: 0.96 to 0.88. Both teams are converting their chances about equally.
• Colombia has not lost in its last five matches. Los Cafeteros are 9-7-2 (nine wins, seven draws, two losses) in its last 16 games.

The matches are not played on paper. On paper this match looks to lean heavily to Colombia. But, Ghana has managed to play suffocating defense, allowing just two goals in the World Cup, both to talented Croatia.

This match feels like a tight, tense battle that won't be decided in regulation time. To win my wager, the match must be decided in extra-time, not by penalty shootout. My winning $100 bet would return $600.

• Result: Either Team To Win in Extra Time (+600, FanDuel)