World Cup action starts today, with Mexico in the spotlight and bettors closely monitoring injuries, lineup moves and shifting odds ahead of tomorrow's games
The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets going today, with two Group A matches, the first in Mexico City at 3 p.m. EST, with the Mexican national men’s team hosting South Africa.
That’s followed by South Korea versus Czechia, 10 p.m. EST, at Estadio Akron, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
For sports bettors on Betway, there are general World Cup news storylines you should be aware of, especially some related to today’s matches, and those over the next few days.
Morocco, which opens up against Brazil on Saturday, 6 p.m. EST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been forced to replace both defender Nayef Aguerd (groin) and winger Abde Ezzalzouli (knee) on its roster due to injuries.
Brazil was already favored at Betway, at -150 on the moneyline, with Morocco at +400 and the draw at +260.
Aguerd is Morocco’s most important centre-back, and with the team already underdogs against Brazil, that makes them advancing from Group C a tougher proposition.
Australia opens against Turkey Sunday, at BC Place in Vancouver, 12 a.m. EST (9 p.m. PST). Today’s news there is that projected starting striker Mo Touré missed training with fitness concerns. He’s expected to suit up, but bettors should monitor lineups for that match beforehand, since that would direct support to the Under and Turkey-related markets.
At Betway, Australia is +375, Turkey -150, and the draw at +280.
In other news, ahead of the Group D match between the U.S. and Paraguay tomorrow night, 9 p.m. EST, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA: Centre-back Chris Richards says he’s fully fit from an ankle injury, and expects to play, improving the American’s defensive stability. That’s good news if you bet on U.S. futures to advance.
The Americans are -106 at Betway, Paraguay +280, and the draw at +240.
Depth piece defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out for Argentina in their first match against Algeria on Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, with a calf issue.
The futures markets on Argentina and Brazil remain heavily tied to Lionel Messi and Neymar, both of whom have been dealing with minor injuries (Messi a muscle strain, and Neymar a calf issue), but both are expected to be available for their opening matches.
Argentina is -267 for that match, Algeria +700, and the draw +350.
That expanded World Cup format, with 48 teams this time out, is creating more value on longshots, with bettors looking harder at second-tier nations like Norway, Turkey, and Algeria to advance from the group stage.
And with Canada, prepping for their first Group B game, tomorrow against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3 p.m. EST, in Toronto, top player left back Alphonso Davies has been limited in training with a hamstring injury. He’s not expected to play in the opener but hasn’t been ruled out.
Also, centre-back Moise Bombito is also uncertain to play because of a leg issue. Another curveball for the Canadian side yesterday – midfield team anchor Ismael Kone left a training session yesterday with a fever, and it’s unclear this morning if he’ll be ready for tomorrow.
In World Cup betting on Betway, Mexico is -250, South Africa +750, with odds for a draw at +350. For the later match today, South Korea is +170, Czechia is +175, with odds for a draw at +200.
Tomorrow, Canada is the betting favorite at -125, Bosnia and Herzegovina at +333, odds for a draw at +250. In the later game, the U.S. is -106, Paraguay +280, and a draw +240.
Weather for Toronto tomorrow is perfect – sunny, breezy, 25 C.
