World Cup Predictions for 6/14/26

Absolutely terrible performance from me yesterday after a hot start to the tournament. We are back around 1U profit for the World Cup, which means it’s time to build that back up and bounce-back today! The Switzerland and Turkey results were a big surprise to me personally, while I think we had the right read on Haiti they just didn’t execute in the final third. I’m a bit short on time today so the previews will be condensed, let’s dive in! 

 

Germany vs Curacao 

Kick-Off: 1 PM ET 

Location: Houston

 

Curacao will make their World Cup debut on Sunday, and they are in for quite the test against Germany. The Germans are listed as massive -3000 favorites while the total sits at 4.5 goals. 

 

Curacao is the smallest nation ever by population to qualify for the World Cup and it’s hard to expect them to have much success here in their first go around. I’m expecting Germany to roll here and score 4+ goals by themselves. Their offense has been in good form in the build up to the World Cup while Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are some of the most exciting young players to watch in this tournament. I’m looking for Kai Havertz to use this soft match-up as a chance to get in form and I think they will try and get him a goal early in this contest 

 

Prediction: Germany 4, Curacao 0 

 

Netherlands vs Japan 

Kick-Off: 4 PM ET 

Location: Dallas 

 

This is one of the best first round of group games as a whole in my opinion, with both of these teams live to win this group and make a run in this tournament, a result today would be massive. 

 

I’m a bit lower on this Netherlands side than the public, and I’m very high on Japan that could surprise with a run to the quarter finals. They’ve been in amazing form, knocking off teams like England and Brazil in the last calendar year and they play a unique style that can make it difficult to prepare for if you haven’t seen them. They are dealing with some injuries, but I trust them to frustrate this Dutch side enough to keep this game close into the later stages of the match. 

 

Prediction: Netherlands 1, Japan 1

 

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador 

Kick-Off: 7 PM ET 

Location: Philadelphia 

 

This is another exciting game for different reasons, as I’m high on both of these teams' potential for a sleeper run as well. Both teams are in good form winning friendlies leading up to the tournament, with the Ivory Coast knocking off France 2-1. 

 

The defense takes the headlines here, especially on the Ecuador side. They allowed just five goals in 18 qualifying matches and I’m not sure there is a team that can frustrate you on that end as much as they can. Overall, I’m expecting a low scoring battle with some cards coming into play late. 

 

Prediction: Ivory Coast 0, Ecuador 0 

 

Sweden vs Tunisia 

Kick-Off: 10 PM ET 

Location: Guadalupe 

 

I don’t really know what to expect from this game, Sweden has been extremely inconsistent especially defensively while Tunisia is not really a team that’s going to press you and attack. They kept a clean sheet in each of their qualifying match-ups and they have no problems sitting back and muddying it up. 

 

I’m expecting a cagey affair and could see Tunisia scoring on the counter late in the game to equalize. Viktor Gyokeres is the player to watch for me in this match. 

 

Prediction: Sweden 1, Tunisia 1