World Cup 2026 betting tips: England to march past Mexico, Gordon to provide tonic; USA to beat Belgium

“Now look some of you lads on fifty grand a week. These fellas, they get a pocket full of pesetas and a funny hat.”

This remains one of my favourite cinematic lines, uttered by the inimitable Mike Bassett: England Manager as he laid into the Three Lions during a crunch clash with Mexico.

It’s England vs Mexico for real in the wee small hours of Monday morning, in a fascinating clash that reeks of drama.

Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the last 16 of World Cup 2026 – including the big one at the Azteca – courtesy of Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher.

Three Lions 6/4 favourites to beat co-hosts

Vorsprung durch Tuchel!

Into the last 16 they go, but what to make of England? 

Defensively they have never looked convincing in this World Cup, but Harry Kane is on fire and Jude Bellingham is clearly a remarkable moments player. 

You have to say that England against Mexico in a knockout fixture at the World Cup at the Azteca is about as pure as football cinema gets.

And before we go any further, the next person to mention the word “altitude” is getting a dead arm. 

In all seriousness, though, this will be no gimme. 

Mexico have only lost only two of their last 89 competitive games at their Azteca HQ. 

For this reason alone, value punters may think odds of 21/10 on Meh-hee-ho winning in 90 minutes looks a spot of value.

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However, if you dig a little deeper, a load of those games include CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers and regional competitions. 

They’ve not had to contend with a peak Kane or a revved-up Bellingham I’ll wager.

El Tri will be right up for this. 

Coach Javier Aguirre is an experienced operator, and they have been faultless so far. 

Played 4. Won 4. Scored 8. Conceded 0.

However, given they will be roared on by 80,000+ fans, there’s no way Mexico will try and park the bus here, and that could play into England’s hands.

Tommy Tuchel’s men have toiled against teams employing a low block in this World Cup, but let’s not forget they looked fantastic in that second half against a Croatia side who showed real ambition going forward.

In terms of the team selection, Kane rightly stole the headlines against DR Congo but Anthony Gordon’s cameo off the bench was a game-changer.

Despite only getting on for the final half an hour, the former Newcastle man provided not one but two assists for the Kane-Meister General and his efforts surely merit a start against the Mexicans?

He is 6/1 to provide at least one assist if he does feature, and that looks worth nibbling.  

Hosts can get it done against Belgium

All three host nations are into the last 16 and Mauricio Pochettino’s USA look worth a punt at 6/4 to see off Belgium in 90 minutes.

Rudi Garcia’s Red Devils have flattered to deceive for large swathes of this tournament, and while their comeback against Senegal on Wednesday night was impressive, the Lions of Teranga (2-0 up after 85 minutes) will surely still be scratching their heads in disbelief as to how they are on the plane home?

Belgium look proper dodgy at the back, while USA have looked really solid. 

Wednesday's win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium was thoroughly deserved, and backed by another huge crowd in Seattle, they look a punt to march right on into the quarter-finals.  

Suggested bet #1: England to beat Mexico at 6/4 (General)

Suggested bet #2: Anthony Gordon Over 0.5 Assists at 6/1 (betway)

Suggested bet #3: USA to beat Belgium at 6/4 (General)