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2026 FIFA World Cup Best Bets (June 16): France vs. Senegal, Argentina vs. Algeria Odds & Predictions

Sports Writer

Publish Date: Jun 16, 2026

Fact checked by: Matt Moreno

Key Points

France is one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup according to betting sites. France has won two World Cups in the past.
Group I and J are in action across the United States in four different locations.
Each nation will play three group stage games: top two nations advance to the knockout stage.

The so-called "Group of Death" begins play tonight as the FIFA World Cup group stage play resumes. In the afternoon match, highly regarded France will take to the pitch to face Senegal. While the French are heavily favored, that doesn't mean I can't find a fun wager for this one.

2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina, Lionel Messi.

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

FIFA World Cup Schedule for Tuesday, June 16

Throughout the day, three matches will be played. Here's the full schedule for June 16:

France vs. Senegal, 3 p.m. ET in New Jersey
Iraq vs. Norway, 6 p.m. ET in Boston
Argentina vs. Algeria, 9 p.m. ET in Kansas City

If you're seeking more sports and FIFA World Cup betting promotions, Ballislife Bets has put together a list of the best sports betting offers here.

FIFA World Cup Odds for June 16 (FanDuel)

Team vs. Team	Moneyline (Home/Draw/Away)
France vs. Senegal	-230 / +360 / +600
Iraq vs. Norway	+1300 / +550 / -500
Argentina vs. Algeria	-240 / +360 / +700

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

FIFA World Cup Best Bets: France vs. Senegal

France +550 vs Senegal -210 (Tie +340)

Once Group I was revealed prior to the tournament, experts dubbed it the "Group of Death" because of the looming presence of the French, who are seeking to reach the World Cup Finals for a third consecutive time.

The French roster is so good that it's possible to waste a lot of time making mock lineups with several different names. Manager Didier Deschamps has to make a few tough decisions. The No. 9 appears to be Kylian Mbappé, the former European Golden Shoe winner, who won in his first season in La Liga.

Elsewhere, you'll see the brilliance of Ballon d’Or candidate Michael Olise and the most recent Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.

If one or two of those three don't score, it will be a bit of a surprise.

It's difficult to look at prior World Cup results and project them onto the current tournament. For example, France scored four goals on its own in its opening match of the 2022 World Cup. In 2014, France scored eight goals in the first two group stage matches. That doesn't have much at all to do with what may happen on Tuesday, but the draw of this group does.

Senegal is the 16th-ranked team in the world according to the FIFA/Coca-Cola pre-tournament rankings. The Senegalese are no slouches and can formulate a good offense, even against France, which should win this match.

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France vs. Senegal Total Goals +200

Betting apps for soccer list France as the World Cup favorite: FanDuel has them listed at +430 to win it all.

My bet is from the Alternate Total Goals market:

France vs. Senegal Over 3.5 Goals (+200, DraftKings)

If the teams combine for four or more goals, my $100 wager is worth $200 in winnings.

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FIFA World Cup Best Bets: Argentina vs. Algeria

Algeria +700 vs. Argentina -240 (Draw +360, FanDuel)

The great Lionel Messi will be on the pitch tonight in Kansas City when Argentina meets Algeria. La Albiceleste are the defending World Cup champions, and among the odds favorites to win again.

Yes, Argentina followed its 2022 World Cup success with a win at the Copa America in 2024. But, the roster on this team is showing signs of rust and age. Messi will soon turn 39, and he's been hampered by nagging injuries in recent months. His running mate, Cristian Romero is coming off of a knee injury and is listed as a questionable presence in the Argentinian lineup. Still, the Algerians are underdogs in this opening match for Group J.

Argentina's average age is 29, the oldest in this tournament. In all, 17 of its players were on the team that won the World Cup four years ago in Qatar. That experience will face a young, dynamic player on the other side.

In Algeria, they call midfielder Ibrahim Maza (No. 22) by the nickname "Mazadona," which means the 20-year old is being compared to Argentine legend Diego Maradona. If Maza has some of that pluck in him, Algeria has found its star for a generation of soccer fans. He's a player to keep an eye on in this group stage.

Argentina has won its last five international games, and Algeria is 3-1-1. This is a battle of Experience vs. Youth, not unlike we saw in the recent NBA Finals. Just like in that series, the older Argentinians will have the weapons to close out matches, and handily defeat the nation from northern Africa, making its first return to the World Cup since 2014.

Argentina Under 1.5 Goals vs. Algeria +130

Messi and the Argentina team have been victors in each of their last six FIFA World Cup matches against an African opponent. Nothing will change tonight. I'm going one full unit ($100) on Argentina -1.5 goals. If Argentina wins by two goals, I win $130.