June 17 FIFA World Cup Predictions: Odds & Betting Tips

The final opening games of the World Cup 2026 groups stage will take place on Wednesday, June 17. Teams from Group K and Group L will take the pitch for the first time, led by two of the tournament’s favorites in Portugal and England. Current World Cup predictions have Portugal and England among the top six favorites per the World Cup futures odds, and both countries are odds-on favorites to win their groups.

History will be made today as matches will be played in all three host countries for the first time ever. This is just the second time ever that multiple countries will be playing host to the World Cup after Japan and South Korea were co-hosts in 2002, and it will pave the way for Spain, Portugal, and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup in four years.

Betcris Arizona is offering Same Game Parlays for soccer, giving bettors the option of combining multiple selections from one game into a single wager. The choices could include match result, totals, player props, and more. That gives bettors several ways to approach Wednesday’s World Cup 2026 group matches. Download the App to get the latest odds.

World Cup 2026 Group Matches Today

England and Croatia will square off in the most interesting match of the day. Croatia famously defeated England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia en route to a runner-up finish. Many experts thought that the Checkered Ones’ success was a flash in the pan, but they stunned Brazil in Qatar and made it back to the World Cup semifinals.

Elsewhere, Portugal are huge favorites per the soccer betting odds against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana will look to get off to a good start against Panama after a rocky run-up to the World Cup. The day’s action will conclude with dark horse World Cup contenders Colombia squaring off against debutantes Uzbekistan. 

Today’s World Cup Groups Odds

Portugal and Colombia are big favorites to be the top two teams in Group K per the World Cup groups odds. Los Cafeteros might be the biggest dark horse in the competition as James Rodriguez has always thrived in international tournaments for Colombia. Both teams should have little trouble picking up a win to start the Group Stage.

Three points would be massive for either Ghana or Panama. England and Croatia are the two best teams in Group L, so a win for either Ghana or Panama would go a long way to one of the two countries making it into the knockout rounds. These World Cup 2026 group matches will be the final games before teams start playing their second games. 

Portugal vs. DR Congo Prediction and Betting Preview

There have been an increasing number of bets on Portugal to win the World Cup over the last several months. Portugal won the UEFA Nations League for the second time last June, proving the Portuguese can take down the best teams in the world.

However, the Lusos might not be in top form in their first match. Portugal decided to play their final two friendlies before the World Cup on home soil before making the trek across the pond. They settled for one-goal victories against both Chile and Nigeria, so while I expect Portugal to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo, I believe that DR Congo +1.5 goals on the Asian Handicap line has real value. 

England vs. Croatia Prediction and Betting Preview

The Three Lions dominated Costa Rica 3-0 in their final run-up to the World Cup. England has been dying for a second World Cup for the last 60 years, and they are one of the three favorites to win it all per the soccer futures odds.

Croatia will be a strong first test for England. Although Croatia’s golden generation is largely made up of players in their late 30s now, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic are still playing at a high level. The back line might be the strength of the team now though, so expect some tenacious defending. With this in mind, I like the draw in this match at +289.

Ghana vs. Panama Prediction and Betting Preview

New head coach Carlos Queiroz has been unable to right the ship for Ghana. Otto Addo was fired after the Black Stars lost four straight matches, including a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Austria back in late March. Ghana surrendered a goal in the first two minutes of their first match with Queiroz, and they allowed an injury time goal against Wales in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, Panama is seriously lacking in talent. They have allowed at least one goal in seven straight matches, and their only wins in that stretch have come against teams that failed to make the World Cup (South Africa and the Dominican Republic). That has me thinking the draw is a good wager again at +249. 

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Prediction and Betting Preview

World Cup debutantes Uzbekistan have performed surprisingly well against regional opponents recently. Uzbekistan bested Iran to win the CAFA Nations Cup last year, and they have also secured victories against Qatar and Egypt in the last year. They were surprisingly game in losses to both Canada and the Netherlands, but I believe they will struggle in Mexico City against Colombia.

Colombia is my dark horse pick to win the World Cup. Although Los Cafeteros fell to Croatia and France in March, they secured easy wins against Costa Rica and Jordan in June. There is a lot of talent on this roster, and Colombia has a world class winger in Luis Diaz. Give me Colombia -1 and -1.5 on the Asian Handicap line in this match. 

Best World Cup Betting Angles for Today

Although the World Cup groups odds favor England to win Group L, Croatia have shown they can get the better of the Three Lions on the world’s biggest stage. Their recent form has left something to be desired with two-goal losses to Brazil and Belgium, but three of the five goals they allowed in those two matches were in the 88th minute or later.

My World Cup predictions have Panama being one of the worst teams in the tournament. The Canal Men finished dead last at the 2018 World Cup, losing to England and Belgium by a combined margin of 9-1 in their first two matches. Panama’s last win against a team at the 2026 World Cup (other than the United States) came in October 2023 when they beat Curacao 2-1.   

How Group Standings Affect Today’s Predictions

There are no previous results to consider as these are the first matches in Group K and Group L at the World Cup 2026 Groups Stage. These FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers groups are considered to be relatively straightforward, but there are always surprises at the World Cup. 

Daily World Cup Prediction Summary

My favorite bets of the day are the draw in the England/Croatia match, and Colombia -1 and -1.5 against Uzbekistan. Colombia might be able to put three or four goals past Uzbekistan, as they have a very good attack and will have a raucous crowd at their backs in Estadio Azteca.

Download the App to get the latest odds.

World Cup June 17 Match Results