World Cup Predictions for 6/17/26

It was another HUGE day for us on Tuesday -- let's keep it rolling today!

Portugal vs DR Congo 

Kick-Off: 1 PM ET

Location: Houston

 

We kick-off Match Day 7 with Ronaldo and Portugal starting their quest for glory against DR Congo. Surely Ronaldo watched what went on last night, with Lionel Messi – the greatest player of all time – scoring a hat trick and he will be motivated to make some magic happen today. Portugal are listed as large -340 favorites in this game. 

 

Overall, I LOVE this Portugal roster – aside from Ronaldo. Ronaldo can still perform, but at this point I don’t think he is as effective as he used to be – or how Messi still is – and it hinders their team overall because he still wants everything to run through him and not the better players that they have. If he wasn’t on this team, they might have been my pick to win the tournament. I’m expecting this game to profile similarly to the Spain vs Cape Verde game – I just don’t think that DR Congo will be able to stonewall the goal the same way. 

 

Prediction: Portugal 3, DR Congo 1

 

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England vs Croatia

Kick-Off: 4 PM ET

Location: Dallas 

 

We stay in Texas for our second game of the day – with a clash between two European teams. On paper, England is one of the favorites to take home the trophy when it’s all said and done but overall these are two teams I wanted to short coming into this tournament so I’m having a tough time getting a read on this game. England are listed as short -145 favorites this afternoon. 

 

There were some interesting roster decisions from Thomas Tuchel for this England side – while Croatia always shows up at these big tournaments – despite their roster being legitimately old at this point. I think this will be a tightly contested game. Coming into the tournament, I thought we would see some teams push hard to secure three points from their first game as that essentially guarantees them a spot in the next round regardless, so then they could coast to do whatever they wanted in their following two matches. However, we have actually seen the opposite and it seems teams are content getting one point from their opening game. 

 

Outside of Harry Kane there’s a lot of moving parts on this England side right now and I just don’t trust their form right now enough to back them. 

 

Prediction: England 1, Croatia 1

 

Ghana vs Panama 

Kick-Off: 7 PM ET

Location: Toronto 

 

I’ve had this game circled since the tournament began, and it’s my favorite spot on the slate for betting purposes. Ghana are the favored side at +135 odds – but I think Panama is going to win this game. 

 

Panama plays a pressing style very well, and it’s the exact type of team that I think can give Ghana fits. Ghana has tons of talent on paper – but they have no identity or unity as a team and they are dealing with a lot of situations both on their defense and in their midfield. They will be without two key defenders as well as Thomas Partey in the midfield who was denied entry into Canada due to legal reasons. Ghana enters the World Cup in terrible form as well, having lost six of their last seven games. I’m expecting a big showing from Panama today as they’ve been in goal scoring form as well. Ismael Diaz, of course, would be my pick to find the back of the net. 

 

Prediction: Panama 2, Ghana 1 

 

Uzbekistan vs Colombia 

Kick-Off: 10 PM ET 

Location: Mexico City 

 

We close the night with one team – Colombia – that I think can make a seriously deep run in this tournament. Uzbekistan is making their World Cup debut – and this is a soft spot for Colombia to try and gain form to begin their games. 

 

Uzbekistan has very little European talent on their team, and they are looking to pull off a stunner like we saw from Cape Verde against Spain tonight. Colombia has a very good attack and I’m expecting them to find the back of the net multiple times tonight. Luis Diaz is my player to watch here. 

 

Prediction: Colombia 2, Uzbekistan 0