The Socceroos’ perfect start to World Cup 2026 is over, beaten 2-0 by co-hosts the United States at a raucous Lumen Field in Seattle.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet, and it is coming to North America. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, this will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams in an expanded tournament format.
For Australian fans, this is a special tournament. The Socceroos have qualified and will face the host nation USA, along with Paraguay and Türkiye in Group D. The good news for Australian fans: because the tournament is in North America, most matches fall in Australian daytime — around 68% of all 104 games kick off between 6am and 4:30pm AEST. See our predicted Socceroos World Cup squad with selection battles and starting XI.
At BettingPro, our team of football experts will provide free World Cup 2026 betting tips, predictions and match previews for every game of the tournament. Whether you are backing the Socceroos, hunting for World Cup odds value, or building a same game multi for the final, we have you covered.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days and 104 matches across 16 venues in three countries.
| Stage | Dates | Matches | AEST Note |
| Group Stage | June 11 – June 29 | 48 matches | Most kickoffs 4am–10am AEST |
| Round of 32 | July 1 – July 4 | 16 matches | Early morning AEST |
| Round of 16 | July 5 – July 8 | 8 matches | Early morning AEST |
| Quarter-finals | July 9 – July 12 | 4 matches | Early morning AEST |
| Semi-finals | July 15 – July 16 | 2 matches | Early morning AEST |
| Third-place playoff | July 18 | 1 match | Early morning AEST |
| Final | July 19 | 1 match | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
The opening match takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. For Australian viewers, most matches will kick off between 4am and 10am AEST, making it a tournament of early morning alarms and long breakfasts.
The World Cup 2026 draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
| Group | Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 | Team 4 |
| A | Mexico | South Korea | South Africa | Czechia |
| B | Canada | Switzerland | Qatar | Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| C | Brazil | Morocco | Haiti | Scotland |
| D | United States | Paraguay | Australia | Türkiye |
| E | Germany | Ivory Coast | Ecuador | Curaçao |
| F | Netherlands | Sweden | Japan | Tunisia |
| G | Belgium | Egypt | Iran | New Zealand |
| H | Spain | Cape Verde | Saudi Arabia | Uruguay |
| I | France | Senegal | Iraq | Norway |
| J | Argentina | Algeria | Austria | Jordan |
| K | Portugal | DR Congo | Colombia | Uzbekistan |
| L | England | Croatia | Ghana | Panama |
The Socceroos have qualified for their sixth FIFA World Cup and will compete in Group D alongside the United States (host nation), Paraguay (CONMEBOL 3rd seed) and Türkiye (UEFA play-off winner). It is one of the more brutal group draws Australia has ever received — all three opponents are ranked inside the world’s top 35. Captain Jackson Irvine (St Pauli, 60+ caps) leads the side under head coach Tony Popovic, who took over in October 2024 and has rebuilt the structural defensive identity that took Australia to the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022.
Pre-tournament friendlies: Australia face Mexico on 30 May 2026 and Switzerland on 6 June 2026 from their final preparation camp in Florida. The 26-man squad is expected to be confirmed in late May 2026, around the Mexico friendly. For Australian punters, the Socceroos’ World Cup odds are open across all major bookmakers in the lead-up to the tournament — head to our Socceroos Group D Deep Dive for match-by-match betting tips, path-mapping (qualify v bottom), and key player markets.
| Matchday | Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Sat 13 June 2026 | 🇦🇺 Australia v 🇹🇷 Türkiye | Vancouver, Canada |
| MD2 | Fri 19 June 2026 | 🇦🇺 Australia v 🇺🇸 USA | Seattle, USA |
| MD3 | Thu 25 June 2026 | 🇦🇺 Australia v 🇵🇾 Paraguay | Santa Clara, USA (SF Bay Area) |
Exact kickoff times confirmed by FIFA closer to the tournament — all matches will fall in the 4-10am AEST window. All Socceroos matches will be live free-to-air on SBS and live on Optus Sport (which has every WC2026 match).
The World Cup odds market is already active across Australian bookmakers. As the tournament approaches, these prices will sharpen as squads are named and form becomes clearer.
The early favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflect the traditional powerhouses, though the expanded 48-team format could produce more upsets than ever before.
Argentina: The defending champions and back-to-back Copa América winners remain among the shortest prices. With Lionel Messi potentially playing his final World Cup, Argentina will carry enormous motivation.
France: Runners-up in 2022 and perennial contenders. Kylian Mbappé leads a generationally talented squad that will be among the favourites regardless of form coming in.
England: The Three Lions have been knocking on the door at major tournaments for years. Drawn in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama, England should progress comfortably and will fancy their chances in the knockout rounds.
Brazil: Five-time winners are always a threat. Drawn in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, Brazil will be expected to top their group.
Spain: The reigning European champions face a tricky Group H with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, but Spain’s young, possession-based squad has the quality to go deep.
Germany: Hosts of the previous World Cup, Germany will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022. Group E with Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaçao looks manageable.
For the latest World Cup winner odds, compare prices across Picklebet, Dabble, Neds, Ladbrokes and bet365 as the tournament approaches.
The 2026 World Cup is spread across 16 cities in three countries, making it the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged. Here are all 16 venues:
| City | Country | Stadium | Capacity |
| New York/New Jersey | USA | MetLife Stadium (Final) | 82,500 |
| Los Angeles | USA | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 |
| Dallas | USA | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 |
| Houston | USA | NRG Stadium | 72,220 |
| Atlanta | USA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 |
| Miami | USA | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,326 |
| Philadelphia | USA | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,176 |
| Seattle | USA | Lumen Field | 68,740 |
| San Francisco | USA | Levi’s Stadium | 68,500 |
| Kansas City | USA | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 |
| Boston | USA | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 |
| Mexico City | Mexico | Estadio Azteca (Opener) | 87,523 |
| Guadalajara | Mexico | Estadio Akron | 49,850 |
| Monterrey | Mexico | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
| Toronto | Canada | BMO Field | 45,736 |
| Vancouver | Canada | BC Place | 54,500 |
World Cup betting offers a massive range of markets across Australian bookmakers. From outright tournament winner to individual match props, here are the most popular World Cup betting markets:
Tournament Winner: Back a nation to lift the trophy. Prices are available now and will shift as the tournament approaches. Argentina, France and England are among the early favourites.
Group Winner: Predict which team will finish top of each group. A great early-tournament market with 12 groups to bet on.
Match Winner (Head-to-Head): The simplest World Cup bet. Pick the winner of any individual match, including the draw option in group stage games.
First Goalscorer / Anytime Goalscorer: Back a player to score first or at any point during a match. The Golden Boot race adds an extra layer to this market.
Golden Boot: Bet on the tournament’s top scorer. With 104 matches being played across the expanded format, expect a high goal tally from the winner.
Same Game Multi (SGM): Combine multiple selections from the same World Cup match into one bet. For example, combine France to win, Mbappé to score, and over 2.5 total goals in a single bet with multiplied odds. Check our same game multi tips for World Cup SGM picks throughout the tournament.
Correct Score: Predict the exact final score of a match. Higher odds but bigger payouts.
All major Australian bookmakers will offer comprehensive World Cup 2026 betting markets. Our top picks for World Cup betting:
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18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Compare bookmakers on our soccer betting sites guide or compare all options on our best betting sites in Australia guide.
Our complete World Cup 2026 betting coverage cluster:
Full preview for every group at the 2026 World Cup, with outright tips, predicted finish and best bets:
Daily match tips run here throughout the tournament. The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, opening at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The opening match is at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and the final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?
The 2026 World Cup is hosted across three countries: the United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities) and Canada (2 cities). It is the first tri-hosted World Cup in history.
Have the Socceroos qualified for World Cup 2026?
Yes. Australia qualified through the AFC qualification pathway and are drawn in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Türkiye.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams, expanded from 32 in previous tournaments. Teams are drawn into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a Round of 32.
What are the best World Cup betting markets?
The most popular World Cup betting markets include tournament winner, group winner, match winner, first goalscorer, Golden Boot, same game multis, and correct score. All major Australian bookmakers offer comprehensive World Cup markets.
What time do World Cup 2026 matches start in Australia?
With the tournament hosted in North America, most World Cup 2026 matches will kick off between approximately 4am and 10am AEST. Exact kickoff times will be confirmed by FIFA closer to the tournament.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina (defending champions), France, England, Brazil, Spain and Germany are among the early favourites. Check our World Cup odds section above for the latest prices from Australian bookmakers.
Can I bet on the World Cup in Australia?
Yes. All licensed Australian bookmakers offer World Cup betting markets. We recommend Picklebet, Dabble, Neds, Ladbrokes and bet365 for the best World Cup odds and markets.
For all our soccer tips including A-League and EPL, visit our soccer tips hub. For same game multi tips, check our SGM tips page.
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