Predictions on world cup 2026

Germany – Curaçao

What can you even say here? The challenge is guessing how many goals Germany will score against a team that nobody really knows. And those "nobodies" were mostly born and raised in the Netherlands. So basically, it's the Netherlands B team, but on a budget.

Did you watch yesterday's matches? Switzerland and Turkey had huge advantages and still managed to throw their games away. How do teams manage to bottle matches while having 80% possession? Oscar-worthy performances. So if Curaçao somehow manages to grab a point here, I don't think anyone would be shocked anymore.

But let's talk football.

Let's compare the squad values. Germany's 26-man squad is worth around a billion dollars. Curaçao's squad is worth about $25 million. That's a 40-to-1 ratio, so theoretically the score should be 40-0. But this is football, and many national teams have mastered the art of spending 96 minutes defending inside their own penalty area and launching the ball into the stands.

So how many will Germany score? Three? Four? Five? Or maybe they'll somehow scrape a boring 1-0?

Total Goals: I think Over 3.5 goals at 1.47 is a reasonable bet. And if Curaçao somehow scores as well, things could get really interesting.

Penalty Awarded – Yes (2.65)
Curaçao will probably spend all 96 minutes inside their own box. Eventually someone handles the ball or sticks out a leg and concedes a penalty.

Leroy Sané to score (1.83) looks decent.

What else is worth taking? The odds board feels inflated. Germany alone could easily win nine corners, so Over 8.5 corners is worth considering.

Shot hits the post or crossbar – Over 0.5 (2.10)

Maybe a headed goal – Yes, possibly from a corner.

Netherlands – Japan (1-1 or 2-2)

Some mathematician calculated that the Netherlands will win the World Cup. Does he actually watch football?

The Dutch failed to score against Algeria, nearly dropped points to Uzbekistan, and without two penalties who knows what would have happened. Then there was a draw against Ecuador while conceding again, and a difficult 2-1 win over Norway where they also conceded.

Japan, meanwhile, have kept clean sheets in their last five matches:

• 31.05.26 – Japan 1-0 Iceland
• 31.03.26 – England 0-1 Japan
• 28.03.26 – Scotland 0-1 Japan
• 18.11.25 – Japan 3-0 Bolivia
• 14.11.25 – Japan 2-0 Ghana

That's why I'm looking at Japan +1 handicap (1.40).

Japan to score (1.45) — though the odds are a bit low.

Cody Gakpo to score (3.55), especially if the Dutch get a penalty.

Donyell Malen or Cody Gakpo to score – Over 0.5 (1.80).

Oddly enough, they're offering a Frenkie de Jong assist at 9.6, even though he often creates chances. Although recently he's mostly played safe passes sideways and backward.

I didn't see Justin Kluivert listed in the betting markets, but he's dangerous and active in attack as well.

Overall, I expect both teams to score.

As usual: Netherlands double chance + Over 1.5 goals (1.65) for a 1-1 or 2-2 type of game.

• Japan Over 3 corners (1.55)
• Japan Over 3 shots on target (1.47)
• Japan Over 2.5 offsides (1.49)
• Netherlands Over 11.5 total shots (their average is around 16)

Ivory Coast – Ecuador (1-1)

A true three-way game. A draw, an Ivory Coast win, or an Ecuador win all seem possible.

Ivory Coast are dangerous. They beat France while scoring twice, beat Scotland 1-0, and crushed South Korea 4-0. The quality is obvious. Most of their players compete for major European clubs.

Ecuador can mainly point to draws against the Netherlands and Morocco.

If I'm betting the result, I'd lean toward the draw angle. I like Ivory Coast double chance (1X) at 1.48.

I really don't like Ecuador. They're a very physical and often reckless team. They shoot from all over the field, rely heavily on physicality, force goals through, and then sit deep hoping for long balls and counterattacks. That style only works against teams like Turkey.

I expect a very physical match.

Both teams Over 1.5 yellow cards (1.75) looks interesting, and the match total could go over three cards as well.

In terms of discipline, Ivory Coast are generally more controlled than the wild Ecuadorians. So Ecuador (0) handicap on yellow cards is worth a look.

Ivory Coast Over 2.5 shots on target (1.45). Neither team is shy about shooting from distance.

Sweden – Tunisia (1-0)

Another likely snoozefest.

Neither Sweden nor Tunisia have looked particularly impressive lately. The only advantage Sweden has is greater experience and team chemistry.

They lost to almost everyone over the past two years, then suddenly beat Poland and now they're here.

Tunisia are basically a 0-0 or 1-0 team. Even when they create chances, the finishing is poor.

Sweden to score before the 75th minute (1.49).

I'd love to see Viktor Gyökeres score (2.46). I hope he becomes the tournament's top scorer, although Sweden's style of play won't make that easy.

I think this game is very close to 0-0, and eventually Sweden score a header and that's it — 1-0, game over.

Sweden to score in the second half (1.65). I expect a 0-0 first half and a goal after the break.

Sweden double chance + Under 4 goals (1.47).

Tunisia Over 1.5 yellow cards (1.57). Their projected foul count is around 13.5, so a couple of rough challenges or tactical fouls on Gyökeres should be enough to get there.