World Cup 2026 betting tips: Harry Kane to score first; Morocco to sink Scotland
Now then now then. What a time to be alive.
The World Cup is up and running and it’s hard to explain the joys of watching Haiti vs Scotland in your pants at 2am to non-football fans.
As an aside, I always wondered what happened to Cha Bum-kun? Man. Myth. Primary School legend.
Someone in the pub the other day asked me to name three Qatar players? “Not a problem,” I replied. “Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Noel Gallagher.”
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this week’s World Cup 2026 group games – including England’s opener against Croatia on Wednesday night - courtesy of Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate, The Bookie Basher.
Three Lions 8/11 to make perfect start
Thirty years of hurt has - in what feels like the blink of an eye - turned into 60 for England fans of a certain vintage but there is little doubt that Tommy Tuchel’s men could become world champions for only the second time this summer.
This AT&T Stadium fixture on Wednesday will likely define which nation controls their own destiny in Group L.
England are a top price 8/11 to take the three points.
Tuchel’s side arrive on the back of a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign.
Eight wins from eight - with 22 goals scored and zero conceded - and they now face a Croatia side who showed considerable defensive vulnerabilities in recent friendlies prior to rocking up here.
Hand on heart though, 8/11 feels tighter than Rambo’s headband.
Croatia often fly under the radar with the bookies and will prove a tough nut to crack on Wednesday.
In terms of the team news, Tuchel has to go with Jude Bellingham doesn’t he? Listen, Morgan Rogers is excellent, but Bellingham can be England’s lodestar this summer.
England had a load of kit robbed last week. Shorts, socks and (bizarrely) a Lego set of a Nike Air shoe valued at $99.99 went missing, along with Harry Kane’s boots.
The Kane-Meister General is that good he could play in just his socks and still be a goal threat and with this in mind I’m happy to gobble up 15/4 quotes that he scores first in Texas.
Suggested bet: Harry Kane to score first v Croatia at 15/4 (bet365)
MORE FROM THE BOOKIE BASHER: World Cup 2026 betting tips: Lionel Messi to lead Argentina to glory (again)
Morocco can edge past brave Scots
At times it was not pretty to watch - and their fans will have shorter fingernails as a result - but Scotland got the job done against Haiti and now sit proudly at the top of Group C.
Scotland fans have been waiting for this since 1998 and the Tartan Army have piled over to North America to cheer on their boys.
It’s Morocco next, and the Atlas Lions will likely prove a far sterner test than Haiti in Boston.
The African giants opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, and in truth the result didn’t flatter them.
They are dangerous when it comes to set-pieces and have become the Arsenal of Africa in this respect.
Skipper Archaf Hakimi is world class, and he can lead Morocco to victory on Friday to blow the group wide open.
Suggested bet: Morocco & Under 3.5 goals at 5/4 (Betfred / Coral / Ladbrokes)
READ NEXT: World Cup 2026 betting tips: Who gets the Golden Boot? And can Argentina retain their crown?
