The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here! Before you enjoy the action, let’s dive into the top World Cup expert picks for today’s matches. We’ll dish out a few World Cup predictions for Thursday, June 25th. Check out these World Cup best bets for some of the top players and games on the schedule. Plus, we’ll examine some of the key World Cup odds to keep an eye on. 

Best FIFA World Cup Picks Today 6/25

Japan vs. Sweden – Both Teams To Score (-135 on BetMGM Sportsbook)

Today’s World Cup expert picks feature Japan’s matchup against Sweden. This game has the potential to turn into a higher-scoring, back-and-forth shootout for a few reasons. Let’s back both teams to score for our World Cup best bets. 

Since Netherlands is expected to win easily, the winner of this match can lock up second place in Group F. Meanwhile, the loser would be in third and have to rely on other results to advance. Japan, with 4 points, should be fine either way. Sweden, though, is in a more precarious position with 3 points in the group standings. 

We should see both teams push for a goal, especially Sweden, having a bit more to play for. The attacks can dictate the flow of this match to create key scoring chances. The over is also in play, but “both teams to score” seems like the safer bet. 

Japan’s attack is in a rhythm after scoring 4 goals against Tunisia last time out. The Japanese offense also scored twice in the second half against Netherlands in the first match. They can generate scoring opportunities in multiple ways with creative midfield play and wing-backs that push up the field. 

Sweden, meanwhile, has a dangerous attack itself. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres make up one of the better forward duos in the tournament. Sweden exploded for 5 goals in its first match against Tunisia. The offense also sent in 16 shots with a goal against Netherlands. Notably, the Swedish defense allowed 5 goals to the Dutch in that match. Their back line is vulnerable, and Japan can exploit the weaknesses. 

More World Cup Expert Picks:

 

 

 

Top World Cup Player Props Today

Enner Valencia (Ecuador) – 3+ Shots (+110 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

Let’s keep the World Cup best bets going with a player prop. Our World Cup expert picks feature Ecuador’s Enner Valencia to have 3+ shots against Germany today. The forward should be involved in the attack as Ecuador needs a win to advance past the group stage. 

Beating Germany is no easy task, but Ecuador still must press for goals and go for the victory if it wants to stay alive in the World Cup. The attack needs to lean on its captain to generate shots and goal-scoring chances. Valencia had 7 shots, with 5 on target, against Curacao in the last match. 

Ecuador’s all-time leading goalscorer had 41 shots across 14 starts during World Cup qualifying. Valencia had 3+ shots in 9 of those 14 matches as well. He can find some holes in the German defense that allowed 8 and 9 shots to Curacao and Ivory Coast, respectively, in the first two games. 

Best Underdog Picks For Today’s Matches

Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands) – Higher Than 0.5 Goals + Assists

Our World Cup expert picks also feature a selection on Underdog Fantasy. Let’s roll with the Netherlands’ Crysencio Summerville to have at least a goal or an assist against Tunisia today. The talented midfielder should have enough opportunities to be involved in a Dutch goal. 

Netherlands is expected to win comfortably and claim the top spot in Group F. However, if Japan beats Sweden by multiple goals, then the Dutch have to rack up goals themselves to ensure a first-place finish. That should result in the Netherlands attack creating plenty of scoring chances. 

Summerville is bound to contribute to at least one of those goals. He scored in the Netherlands’ first match against Japan, and then added a goal and an assist against Sweden last time out. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the playmaking midfielder can present a mismatch against a Tunisia defense that’s allowed 9 goals across the first two matches. 

 

 

 

Most Likely Goal Scorers Today

Now that we’ve broken down the top World Cup expert picks, let’s focus on which players are most likely to score goals. Below is a list of the top anytime goalscorer World Cup odds for today’s matches. The odds are via DraftKings Sportsbook: 

  • Ecuador vs. Germany
    • Deniz Undav +145
    • Kai Havertz +145
    • Nick Woltemade +165
    • Florian Wirtz +190
  • Curacao vs. Ivory Coast
    • Ange-Yoan Bonny +105
    • Evann Guessand +105
    • Sepe Elye Wahi +110
    • Oumar Diakite +110
  • Japan vs. Sweden
    • Ayase Ueda +155
    • Koki Ogawa +180
    • Kento Shiogai +200
    • Keisuke Goto +210
  • Tunisia vs. Netherlands
    • Memphis Depay -115
    • Cody Gakpo -110
    • Brian Brobbey -105
    • Donyell Malen -105
  • Turkey vs. United States
    • Folarin Balogun +150
    • Haji Wright +175
    • Ricardo Pepi +175
    • Christian Pulisic +180
  • Paraguay vs. Australia
    • Alex Arce +310
    • Antonio Sanabria +310
    • Gabriel Avalos +310
    • Isidro Pitta +310

World Cup Betting Trends To Know 

Before you lock in those World Cup expert picks, let’s talk betting trends. The World Cup odds and recent history can tell us a lot about how a match may go. Keeping up with the trends can help us cash in on World Cup predictions as the tournament progresses. 

Wednesday saw multiple higher-scoring matches. In fact, the over cashed in 5 of the 6 games yesterday. Some of the highlights included Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti and Bosnia’s 3-1 victory over Qatar. Goal-scoring was the theme, and it was profitable to take some overs. That now brings us a 29-25 record favoring the over in this World Cup. 

Meanwhile, the “both teams to score” prop cashed in 3 of the 6 matches. Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa all won in shutout fashion. The pick is now 29-25 during the World Cup.