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World Cup Matches of The Day: Week 1

Posted on | Posted by TABtouch

FRIDAY
12 June 3:00am AWST 

Mexico v South Africa

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City 

There may not be a bigger home ground advantage in world football than Mexico playing at Estadio Azteca, and the hosts should be full of confidence heading into the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With over 80,000 fans behind them and the altitude of Mexico City always a factor for travelling sides, Mexico look well placed to begin the tournament strongly. 

Raul Jimenez is expected to lead the line with support from Roberto Alvarado and Julian Quinones, while Erik Lira and Alvaro Fidalgo should give Mexico control through midfield. The concern for South Africa will be dealing with Mexico’s attacking width, particularly with Jorge Sanchez and Jesus Gallardo likely to push high from full back. 

South Africa do possess pace on the counter through Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster, and they may create chances if Mexico overcommit numbers forward early. Still, opening night pressure combined with the Azteca atmosphere makes this an extremely difficult assignment for Bafana Bafana. 

VERDICT: Mexico 2-0 South Africa 

Same Game Multi: Mexico to win, both teams to score – no & under 3.5 total goals @ $2.02*

SATURDAY
13 June 9:00am AWST 

USA v Paraguay

SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles 

This feels like a significant moment for the United States golden generation as they open their home World Cup campaign in Los Angeles. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams have carried enormous expectations for years, and with a favourable opening fixture on home soil, the pressure will be on the Americans to deliver. 

The USA’s athleticism across the pitch could trouble Paraguay, particularly in wide areas where Timothy Weah and Pulisic are expected to attack aggressively in transition. Folarin Balogun also gives the Americans a genuine penalty-box presence, while Malik Tillman’s creativity between the lines may prove crucial against Paraguay’s compact midfield shape. 

Paraguay are never easy to break down and their counterattack remains dangerous through Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso. Diego Gomez is another capable of creating opportunities if the match becomes stretched. Still, the energy of a packed SoFi Stadium and the USA’s superior attacking depth should give them the edge. 

VERDICT: USA 3-1 Paraguay 

Same Game Multi: USA to win, Christian Pulisic to score or assist & over 1.5 total goals @ $3.65*

 SUNDAY
14 June 12:00pm AWST 

Australia v Turkey

BC Place, Vancouver

Australia open their World Cup campaign against one of the tournament’s most exciting dark horses in Turkey, with both nations viewing this fixture as a crucial opportunity to gain an early foothold in the group.

The Socceroos arrive with a familiar formula built around organisation, physicality and defensive resilience. Harry Souttar remains the focal point at the back alongside Cameron Burgess and Alessandro Circati, while Jackson Irvine’s leadership and work rate in midfield will be critical against a Turkish side that prefers to dominate possession. Creative responsibility is expected to fall on Cristian Volpato and Ajdin Hrustic as Australia look to create opportunities for Mohamed Toure up front.

Turkey, however, possess genuine attacking quality and may have one of the most talented young squads in the competition. Hakan Calhanoglu will dictate play from midfield, while teenage sensation Arda Guler continues to establish himself as one of Europe’s brightest playmakers. With Baris Yilmaz and Kerem Akturkoglu providing pace and directness in attack, Turkey have the weapons to trouble Australia’s back three.

The Socceroos have built a reputation for making life difficult for higher-ranked opponents at major tournaments and will back themselves to stay in the contest deep into the second half. Turkey may enjoy more possession and create more chances, but Australia’s defensive structure and set-piece threat should ensure this is a tightly contested affair.

VERDICT: Australia 1-1 Turkey

Same Game Multi: Australia over 0.5 goals, under 3.5 total goals & Turkey to have the most corners @ $3.20*

MONDAY
15 June 4:00am AWST 

Netherlands v Japan 

AT&T Stadium, Dallas 

This shapes as one of the most fascinating tactical matchups of the opening week. The Netherlands will look to dominate possession through Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders, while Japan’s aggressive pressing and transitional speed make them one of the most dangerous counterattacking teams in the tournament. 

Virgil van Dijk anchors a strong Dutch defence alongside Nathan Ake, while Denzel Dumfries and Micky van de Ven should provide attacking width from deeper positions. Up front, Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay loom as the biggest threats against a Japanese side that may leave space in behind when pressing high. 

Japan however are more than capable of causing problems themselves. Takefusa Kubo, Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan are all dangerous in open play, while Wataru Endo’s defensive discipline will be critical in slowing the Dutch midfield. 

The Netherlands should control territory for long periods, though Japan’s energy and organisation could ensure this stays competitive deep into the second half. 

VERDICT: Netherlands 2-0 Japan 

Same Game Multi: Netherlands to win, Cody Gakpo to score or assist & over 1.5 total goals @ $3.35* 

TUESDAY
16 June 3:00am AWST 

Belgium v Egypt

Lumen Field, Seattle 

Belgium’s golden generation may be entering its final World Cup together, but with Kevin De Bruyne still orchestrating the attack and Thibaut Courtois back between the posts, the Belgians remain one of the more dangerous European sides in the competition. 

Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard should provide plenty of attacking movement around De Bruyne, while Amadou Onana’s physical presence in midfield could become important against an Egyptian side likely to defend compactly before breaking quickly. 

Egypt however possess genuine firepower through Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, and Belgium’s defence may be vulnerable if exposed in transition. Salah in particular looks capable of troubling Belgium’s backline if given space to isolate defenders one-on-one. 

The Europeans should still create enough chances to start their campaign with three points, although Egypt appear capable of finding the scoresheet themselves. 

VERDICT: Belgium 2-1 Egypt 

Same Game Multi: Belgium to Win, over 1.5 total goals & Mohamed Salah over 0.5 shots on target @ $3.40* 

WEDNESDAY
17 June 3:00am AWST 

France v Senegal 

MetLife Stadium, New Jersey 

France once again enter the World Cup among the favourites and their attacking depth is frightening. 

Kylian Mbappe leads a star-studded attack expected to feature Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot should control midfield possession. France’s pace through wide areas may prove difficult for Senegal to contain, especially if Theo Hernandez is able to push high from left back. 

Senegal however remain one of Africa’s strongest sides and their attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye should create problems on the counterattack. Kalidou Koulibaly’s experience will also be crucial against France’s pace and movement through the final third. 

VERDICT: France 4-1 Senegal 

Same Game Multi: France to win, Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer and over 2.5 total goals @ $3.10* 

THURSDAY
18 June 4:00am AWST 

England v Croatia

AT&T Stadium, Dallas 

England begin their World Cup campaign with one of the glamour fixtures of the opening round against a Croatian side that still possesses enormous tournament experience despite an ageing core. 

Harry Kane once again leads the line with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford expected to provide pace around him, while Jude Bellingham’s influence through midfield could be one England’s greatest strengths. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson should also provide the defensive balance required to release England’s attacking players further forward. 

Croatia remain technically elite through midfield with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic still capable of controlling the tempo of matches, while Josko Gvardiol’s defensive versatility gives them important flexibility at the back. Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric also remain dangerous in big tournament matches. 

England’s athleticism and attacking depth may ultimately be the difference, though Croatia’s experience should ensure this is far from straightforward in Dallas. 

VERDICT: England 1-0 Croatia 

Same Game Multi: England to win, Harry Kane to score or assist & under 3.5 total goals @ $3.95* 

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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