World Cup 2026 quarter-finals betting tips: Jude Bellingham to shine for England again, Morocco to go toe to toe with France and more
Oi oi. What a summer this is turning into. England were simply immense in that brain-melting 3-2 win over Mexico on Monday, July 6.
It was a surreal game of football given the kick-off time in the UK, and Jordan Henderson only added to the madness by leaving the pitch on a stretcher - having picked up a yellow card - despite not playing a single minute.
I bet the people who said Hendo wouldn’t make an impact at this World Cup are feeling quite silly right now. I just hope he’s got holiday insurance!
Anyway, after conquering Mexico’s Azteca fortress, all eyes are now on Miami and England’s quarter-final date with Norway.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the quarter-finals - including the big one on Saturday, July 11 - courtesy of Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate, The Bookie Basher.
Quality in attack suggests classic encounter awaits
Meat pie, sausage roll, come on England giz a goal...
The anticipation for England’s quarter-final clash with Norway is at fever pitch after that statement win by the Three Lions at an iconic venue last time out.
Both teams head to Miami full of confidence after huge wins in the last 16, and this reeks of goals.
The unstoppable Erling Haaland was essentially the deciding factor for Norway against Brazil, and his brace against the Samba Boys means that Norway’s talisman now has seven goals in the World Cup.
The big man will be a huge worry for England, of course. Haaland only had 30 touches all game against Brazil - and scored twice.
He has actually scored in each of his last 14 competitive international appearances, so plenty will be jumping on the 13/10 on offer that he scores on Saturday (he is 9/2 to bag first).
England have been impressive in terms of their work ethic, but defensively, Tommy Tuchel must somehow work out a formula to neutralise Norway's threat in the final third.
The right-back issue is still a major worry, but the latest injury news on Reece James seems positive.
Tuchel’s warriors are going into this one as betting favourites, and rightly so on what we have seen so far.
I’ll see your Haaland. And raise you, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. England’s progress to the business end has been influenced massively by the dynamic duo.
Bellingham’s confidence just seems to be growing and growing, and opponents are finding him so difficult to contain due to the intelligence of his runs.
He is 3/1 to score anytime in Miami, and after his power showing against Mexico, that looks like a bet.
Weather-wise, Miami is set to be really hot on Saturday - but Norway won't be used to such heat either, and a big bonus for England is they won't be playing at an altitude of more than 7,000ft this time around.
This is only Norway’s fourth World Cup appearance and their first since 1998.
Naturally, there could be a few nerves from the players having reached this stage for the first time ever and if there are, England can capitalise.
There have been at least three goals scored in all five of Norway’s World Cup games so far, so England to win and both teams to score - then the players to knock out another belting rendition of Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ after the full-time whistle - looks the way to bet.
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Trust Morocco to give France a game
France are hot favourites not just to beat Morocco on Thursday, July 9, - but also to go on to win the thing.
At the time of writing, Les Bleus are no bigger than 15/8 to win what would be a third World Cup.
However, Morocco are no joke. They swept past co-hosts Canada on Saturday, July 4, and are on a 34-game unbeaten run as things stand.
The Atlas Lions will look to keep things tight, soak up pressure and hit France on the break in Boston.
Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise have been terrorising defences in recent weeks, but Morocco are a really solid team, and the draw looks a real runner here at 3/1.
Suggested bet #1: England to win & both teams to score at 13/5 (bet365)
Suggested bet #2: Jude Bellingham to score anytime at 3/1 (bet365)
Suggested bet #3: France and Morocco to draw at 3/1 (Betfred / Coral)
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