2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (6/16)
Group play of the 2026 World Cup resumes on Tuesday, and this will be the second-to-last day of opening games before we advance to the second round of matchdays. Today, it's Groups I and J taking the spotlight to get their World Cup journeys started. Below, I'll dive into each of the four matches from a betting angle, providing my top plays on the pitch. Here are my best 2026 World Cup picks for Tuesday's action.
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Tuesday's Best 2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
France (-210) vs. Senegal (+600), DRAW (+350) | O/U 2.5 (-115/-110)
The day gets started out East with tournament favorites France (+425 to win the World Cup) taking on Senegal in a Group I showdown. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The betting market is spot-on with this match. The 2018 World Cup champions deserve to be -210 favorites. I would've actually liked to try and make a cheeky +1.5 play on Senegal, but the sportsbooks are already wise to that, setting the price at -180 on that wager.
The most reasonably-priced bet to make in this game is France -1 at -130. They should manage to capture the three points in this one, as they are a solid 3-2-0 in their last five World Cup openers. "Les Bleus" have also been in impeccable form as of late, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 matches. Six of those wins have been by multiple goals.
Bet: France -1 (-130)
Iraq (+1400) vs. Norway (-525), DRAW (+600) | O/U 2.5 (-175/+140)
Norway's men's national team has gone 28 years without playing a World Cup game, but that hiatus will come to an end when they square off against Iraq on Tuesday. The Norwegians are sizable -525 favorites to win this contest, and they're also -900 to qualify for the knockout stage. Kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
Norway should take care of business in this one. However, we do have to draw the line somewhere, and I'm willing to bet that this inexperienced side won't embarrass Iraq in the opener. I'll take Iraq -2 on Tuesday.
Norway does have its flaws. Don't let the top-end talent of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard fool you; this nation is ranked as the 31st-best team in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking. They're also sputtering entering the tournament, having gone just 1-2-1 in their four friendlies leading up to the World Cup.
Finally, it's worth noting that Norway has conceded at least one goal in six of its last seven matches. There are a few factors suggesting that Iraq can keep this game competitive. Let's back them on the alt spread.
Bet: Iraq +2 (-125)
Argentina (-245) vs. Algeria (+750), DRAW (+360) | O/U 2.5 (-105/-120)
Reigning champions Argentina are set to make their 2026 World Cup debut on Tuesday, where they'll take on Algeria as sizable -245 favorites. The defending champs currently have the fifth-shortest odds (+1000) to repeat as tournament victors. Kick-off is slated for 9:00 p.m. ET from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
I'll be on the under in this Group J opener. Both teams have been in spectacular form leading up to the competition, specifically on the defensive side.
Argentina is in the midst of a 7-0-0 run, where they've allowed only one goal during the stretch. As for Algeria, they're 7-1-1 in their last nine, recording clean sheets in seven of those games. The talented South American side will likely prevail in this one, but I predict it'll end 1-0 or 2-0. I'm taking the under.
Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-120)
Austria (-280) vs. Jordan (+750), DRAW (+425) | O/U 2.5 (-150/+120)
The evening wraps up with a midnight clash between Austria and Jordan. Austria is a -280 Moneyline favorite in the opener, while the teams are priced at -500 and -310, respectively, to advance to the next stage. This contest kicks off at 12:00 a.m. ET at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
I'm taking it to the prop sheet for my final bet of the evening. I'm locking in Marko Arnautović, Austria's most decorated player, to find the back of the net.
The 37-year-old striker tops the charts with Austria's most caps (133) and goals (47) on the international level. Arnautović played club football for Red Star Belgrade, where he netted seven goals in 16 domestic games this season. That's about on par with the odds that we're getting for this prop play, suggesting the prop has roughly a 50-50 chance to cash.
Austria should have no issues pushing forward through Jordan's defense. The Middle Eastern nation is ranked just 63rd in the official FIFA Men’s World Ranking. They also haven't been in great form, going 0-2-3 in their last five games, giving up at least two goals in each contest. I think there's a good chance Arnautović buries one for Austria in the opener.
Bet: Marko Arnautović Anytime Goalscorer (+110)