The 2026 World Cup is the biggest tournament in football history by almost every measure. For the first time, 48 nations compete across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the expanded format throwing open the bracket and making the group stage more unpredictable than ever. Every match carries enormous weight, and the margins between progression and elimination are as thin as they have ever been at a major tournament.
The early fixtures already tell a story. Germany face Ecuador on 25 June in a tie that will reveal just how far Julian Nagelsmann's side have come since their group-stage exit at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. A day later, the Netherlands take on Tunisia and Japan face Sweden in back-to-back matches that could settle the complexion of two separate groups before the week is out. There is no easing in at this World Cup.
BetFootball covers every fixture with detailed match previews, predicted line-ups, team news and betting tips. Whether you are looking for a correct score call on Ivory Coast against Curaçao on 25 June or a considered take on Paraguay versus Australia the following day, the predictions hub has you covered throughout the group stage and deep into the knockouts.
Check back before every game for the latest team news, injury updates and our pick of the best markets. With 104 matches to come and genuine title contenders on almost every continent, this is the World Cup that rewards close attention.