It’s finally here! After four years of waiting, the World Cup is upon us, and we can’t wait to get stuck in. Our boys will have all eyes on them in the opening fixture of the tournament, and we’re backing them 100%. Win or lose, Believe and they show up!
The first few days of the North American-held World Cup has thrown out a few fixtures, where bettors can maximise their Rands. We’ll take you through each of the first 6 games and give you the best possible bets to back to hopefully get you off to a winning start.
Mexico vs South Africa
• Date: 11 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 21:00
• Venue: Estadio Azteca
For the first time ever, the opening fixture of the World Cup is a repeat of a previous edition. The 2010 meeting at Soccer City saw Simphiwe Tshabalala’s opening goal cancelled out in a 1-1 stalemate. Mexico look a different team this time around.
El Tri have won 6 of their last 8 games, drawing just twice in that run. They’re favourites to top Group A, and as much as I hate to admit it, Bafana are staring down the barrel here. Hugo Broos’s men are winless in their last five matches, drawing 3 and losing 2.
It’s worth considering that the home side kept 6 clean sheets across their previous 8 internationals. With South Africa struggling to score against Nicaragua recently, our attackers may not have enough to trouble the co-hosts.
Mexico vs South Africa Betting Tips
1×2 – Mexico – 1.42 on 10bet
BTTS – No – 1.49 on 10bet
Anytime goalscorer – Raul Jimenez – 2.42 on 10bet
South Korea vs Czech Republic
• Date: 12 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 04:00
• Venue: Estadio Akron
South Korea made history by becoming the first Asian team to qualify for 12 separate World Cup finals. They are heavy favourites to accompany Mexico out of the group. The TaegeukWarriors went through their qualification process without defeat.
The Asian team saw 12 of their last 13 World Cup goals scored in the second half. Being their opening game of the tournament, both teams could be cagey. The Czechs are competing as an independent nation for just the second time in their history.
Miroslav Koubek’s men have scored 15 goals in their last 5 games, averaging 3 goals per match. Each of their last 5 fixtures produced more over 2.5 goals, meanwhile, the same is true for two of Korea’s last 4 outings. The last meeting between the team ended 2-1 to Korea, a likely scenario this Friday.
Additionally, Korea captain Son Heung Min was his nation’s top scorer during qualifying. The former Tottenham man scored 10 goals, which means he is likely to find the back of the net here.
South Korea vs Czech Republic Betting Tips
1. Halftime 1×2 – Draw – 1.99 on 10bet
2. Totals – Over 2.5 goals – 2.19 on 10bet
3. Anytime goalscorer – Son Heung Min – 2.95 on 10bet
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Date: 12 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 21:00
• Venue: BMO Field
Canada are making just their 3rd appearance at the World Cup finals, and second consecutive one. As the co-hosts, they are favourites to get over the line here, but they’ve only won 3 of the last 8 matches. The home side have never won a game at any of their World Cup appearances.
Only 2 of Canada’s last 11 games saw both teams score. Bosnia have seen it happen more regularly, with 8 of the last 9 producing goals at both ends. The Europeans are being touted as outsiders here, but being on an eight-game unbeaten run is difficult to ignore.
It’s worth noting that 9 of Canada’s last 10 matches produced under 2.5 goals. Additionally, they had to rely on an own goal in their previous clash against Ireland. As a result, this seems like it’s heading for a low-scoring affair.
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina Betting Tips
1. Total goals – Under 2.5 goals – 1.70 on 10bet
2. BTTS – No – 1.74 on 10bet
3. Double chance – Draw/ Bosnia & Herzegovina – 1.99 on 10bet
USA vs Paraguay
• Date: 13 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 15:00
• Venue: SoFi Stadium
As the co-hosts, USA will hope to make it through to the next stage of the competition. They should fancy their chances, as they’ve only lost to Germany across their previous nine group-stage matches. Furthermore, they haven’t lost a group stage fixture since 2010.
Paraguay return to the big time since 2010, but they’ve been struggling in the attacking third. The visitors scored an average of 0.78 per game during qualifying. They’ve managed just one win of their last eight opening fixtures at a World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be confident of shutting out the opposition in the opener. More so because they conceded just once in their 3 games in the 2022 competition. Furthermore, the USA won all 3 of their recent head-to-heads with Paraguay, all those victories arrived by a one-goal margin.
1. 1×2 – USA – 1.94 on 10bet
2. USA clean sheet – Yes – 2.22 on 10bet
3. Winning margin – USA to win by 1 goal – 3.55 on 10bet
Qatar vs Switzerland
• Date: 13 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 21:00
• Venue: Levi’s Stadium
Qatar are making their second appearance at the World Cup finals, after hosting the 2022 edition. They failed to win a single game 4 years ago, and their form suggests it won’t be coming in this competition. Julen Lopetegui is hoping they can improve, but being winless in their last 6 games doesn’t offer much inspiration.
The Swiss, meanwhile, suffered just 1 defeat in 14 games. The Europeans last lost an opening World Cup match in 1966, which suggests it won’t start here. It’s worth noting that Switzerland never trailed at any point during the qualification rounds.
Qatar’s last 6 matches produced just 2 goals from an attacking point. They should struggle against the efficiency of the Swiss. While Breel Embolo will be the man to watch for the Red Crosses. He scored 5 previous goals for his country at major tournaments, 4 of which were either the 1st or last of the game.
Qatar vs Switzerland Betting Tips
1. Switzerland clean sheet – Yes – 1.58 on 10bet
2. Switzerland win to nil – Yes – 1.72 on 10bet
3. Anytime goalscorer – Breel Embolo 1.88 on 10bet
Brazil vs Morocco
• Date: 14 June 2026
• Kick-off time: 00:00
• Venue: MetLife Stadium
Only 2 places separate these teams in the latest world ranking, an indication that it will be a cracking fixture. Brazil, under new boss, Carlo Ancelotti are seeking the global crown for the 1st time since 2002. They are unbeaten across the last 20 World Cup openers, and enter the game on the back of 3 wins on the bounce.
Despite making the semi-finals 4 years ago, Morocco have never won an opening fixture at the World Cup. They can certainly punch above their weight, and considering they are unbeaten in their last 5 matches, they should dent the Selecao defence. The Atlas Lions’ low block should keep the scoring low, while keeping them in the game for a while.
However, Brazil’s attacking gems, such as Raphinha will find a way past the African nation. The Real Madrid forward is well-known to Ancelotti, and the coach will instruct him to make run that explore the vertical spaces. He was the nation’s highest scorer during qualifying, which is why he’s the man to back for a goal.
Brazil vs Morocco Betting Tips
1. 1×2 – Brazil – 1.65 on 10bet
2. BTTS – Yes – 2.03 on 10bet
3. Anytime goalscorer – Raphinha – 2.90 on 10bet
Byron David
Byron lives and breathes sport, and took an interest in writing at an early age. His career has seen him write for several publications in South Africa and abroad. He’s a proud Gooner and bleeds Green and Gold.
