2026 FIFA World Cup Best Bets: Odds, Picks & Predictions (July 2)

Was that entertaining enough? The Wednesday matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup featured two come-from-behind wins, including the latest goal ever scored in tournament history. In the late game, the United States overcame a red card to preserve a lead and tack on a goal to win going away, 2-0.

On Thursday, two traditional powerhouse nations are on the pitch (Spain and Portugal), and under a legendary coach, Algeria hopes to become the second African team to advance to the Round of 16.

I have three best bets today, with odds from the experts at DraftKings and Bet365 Sportsbook.

Before submitting your World Cup bets for July 2, check out the Best Soccer Betting Offers.

(Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

World Cup Odds for Thursday, July 2

You can see all of Thursday's matches on FOX, Peacock, and Telemundo.

Odds via Bet365

World Cup Best Bets: Spain vs. Austria

Every expert is enamored with France, and for good reason. But there's a second team that has a strong case for winning the Cup: Spain has outscored opponents 5-0 so far, and arguably has yet to play a very good match.

La Roja (+800 to win the World Cup, per Bet365) doesn't have the scoring firepower you see from France or Argentina, but the defense and passing schemes developed by manager Luis de la Fuente are effective, especially in international play, where teams tend to pressure more and scoring is tougher.

Spain does not lack confidence: the roster is filled with players who led La Roja to wins in the 2023 Nations League as well as the 2024 European Championships. Spain is on a remarkable run of success: only two losses since the beginning of 2024, with 23 wins and 8 draws in 33 games in that span.

What were you doing in 1954? That was the last time Austria appeared in a match in the knockout stage of a World Cup. That means, regardless of the outcome of this match, there are many people very passionate about their national team in Vienna today.

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Key Match Stats (Spain vs Austria)

• Opponents have a minuscule 0.5 Expected Goals (xG) against Spain in the World Cup.
• Spain has held a 69.6% to 30.4% possession advantage in its three matches in this tournament. The team is pass-heavy in midfield as it controls the rock: 1,955 passes compared to 727 for its opponents.
• Austria ranked 39th out of 48 teams in the group stage in Attempts At Goal (26); Spain recorded 55 Attempts At Goal, with 15 Shots On Target, or 36% more than Austria.

No team has scored against Spain in this World Cup. I do not expect that to change on Thursday when underdog Austria finally runs into a wall and gets bounced from the tournament.

• Both Teams To Score, NO (-143, Bet365)

World Cup Best Bets: Portugal vs. Croatia

You think Spain is stingy on defense? Not far behind is its neighbor: Portugal has allowed only one goal in the Group Stage. Despite uneven play and poor offensive showings, the Portuguese are on the precipice of getting to the World Cup's Round of 16 for a third straight time.

But Croatia is no slouch, and it carries a similar lumbering, conservative approach into this match against Portugal in Toronto.  Croatia prefers to rely on its back four and wait for chances to break out in a low-scoring match. But Croatia could be vulnerable to the superior speed of some of Spain's midfielders and attackers. One of those who could be key (though he's hardly a speedster at this point in his career) is legend Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, who is seeking his first goal ever in a knockout phase of the World Cup.

Key Match Stats (Portugal vs Croatia)

• Portugal recorded only 9 shots on goal and 32 attempted shots on goal in the first three matches, the lowest total for that team since 2018. That year, Seleção das Quinas was eliminated in the Knockout Stage by Uruguay.
• Croatia posted a 2.44 xG (34th in the knockout stage), and Portugal was not much better at 3.57 xG (27th).
• These two teams have combined for only 20 goalie saves, the lowest total for opponents in the Round of 32. That means these teams have been clearing well and keeping shot opportunities to a minimum.

Scoring chances may be few, but the big stage of the World Cup will force these teams to take more chances than they did in the Group Stage. I expect Croatia to force a slower pace for the "feel-out" phase of the match. That's why I'm betting on a scoreless first half, with strong value if my wager hits.

• Under 0.5 Total Goals in First Half (+229, Bet365)

World Cup Best Bets: Switzerland vs. Algeria

The late game (11 p.m. ET from Vancouver) will feature a matchup of Switzerland and Algeria. Something has to give: the Swiss haven't won a knockout stage match since 1938, and Algeria never has.

According to DraftKings, more than 90% of bets placed are on Switzerland. The talent on these rosters reveals why. The favored Swiss are faster, younger, and better. Still, Algeria was dealt a blow by the loss of attacker Mohamed El Amine Amoura to injury. That's an absence I don't think Algeria can overcome.

Switzerland is one of the few teams to defeat a host nation in this World Cup, having beaten Canada on its own soil, 2-1 in group stage play.

Key Match Stats (Switzerland vs Algeria)

• In its last 17 matches, Switzerland has been defeated only once.
• Algeria has committed the fewest fouls (17) of the teams that advanced to the Round of 32. Algeria has taken only one yellow card in the tournament.

Five of Switzerland's last nine matches in a knockout round have proceeded to penalty shots. The Swiss have a penchant for drama. Which is perfect for a late-night game that won't be decided until the early hours of Friday. But I believe this time, Switzerland will get the "W" in regulation time over Algeria.

• 90-Minute Result: Switzerland Win (+100, DraftKings)