The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 resumes today with three intriguing knockout matchups as England faces DR Congo, Belgium takes on Senegal, and the United States meets Bosnia-Herzegovina with a place in the Round of 16 on the line.
While all three favorites are expected to advance, each matchup has the potential to be more competitive and lower scoring than many anticipate. Knockout-stage pressure often leads to cautious tactics, and underdogs like DR Congo, Senegal, and Bosnia-Herzegovina have the defensive quality to keep matches close deep into the game.
If you’re looking for the latest World Cup odds, predictions, and best bets, we’ve analyzed every Round of 32 matchup to identify the strongest betting angles and the best value available on the board.
Today’s World Cup 2026 Betting Analysis: Wednesday, July 1
Let’s take a closer look at the World Cup games for today, Wednesday, June 31, with odds from the top offshore sportsbooks available.
England vs. Congo DR
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Atlanta Stadium, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox
- Betting Odds: England (-353) / Draw (+450) / Congo DR (+1250)
England enters the Round of 32 as one of the tournament favorites, but this matchup may not be as one-sided as the odds suggest. After conceding twice in the group-stage opener against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel’s side has responded exactly as many expected. England followed that performance with back-to-back clean sheets, a return to the defensive identity that saw the Three Lions allow zero goals throughout UEFA World Cup qualifying. That level of organization has once again made England one of the most difficult teams in the tournament to break down.
DR Congo deserves credit for reaching the knockout stage and has shown plenty of resilience throughout the competition. While goals have been difficult to come by, the Leopards have stayed competitive by defending well, remaining compact, and limiting opponents to quality chances. Against a team as talented as England, they’re likely to adopt another conservative approach, hoping to frustrate the favorites and keep the match within reach for as long as possible.
England should control possession and create better opportunities, but knockout football often produces cautious, methodical contests rather than wide-open affairs. With Tuchel’s defense back in top form and DR Congo unlikely to take many risks going forward, another low-scoring match appears likely. England has every opportunity to record a third consecutive clean sheet, making the Under one of the strongest betting angles while the Three Lions steadily book their place in the Round of 16.
Belgium vs. Senegal
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Seattle Stadium, USA
- Where to Watch: FS1
- Betting Odds: Belgium (+124) / Draw (+226) / Senegal (+255)
Belgium enters the Round of 32 with the more talented squad on paper, but its path through the group stage was far from dominant. While the Red Devils advanced comfortably enough, they struggled to consistently break down organized defenses, needing patient performances against both Iran and Egypt. Those matches highlighted Belgium’s quality in possession but also showed that creating clear-cut chances against disciplined opponents won’t always come easily.
Senegal has been involved in several higher-scoring matches throughout the tournament, thanks largely to its willingness to play aggressively in the group stage. However, the knockout rounds often produce a much different style of football. With elimination on the line, expect the Lions of Teranga to adopt a more conservative approach, prioritizing defensive structure and looking to capitalize on counterattacking opportunities.
Belgium should enjoy the majority of possession and eventually create enough chances to advance, but this doesn’t project as a free-flowing offensive display. Senegal has the athleticism and defensive discipline to keep the match competitive, while Belgium’s recent struggles against compact defenses suggest goals could be at a premium. Expect a cagey knockout battle where patience is required, making the Under one of the strongest betting angles as Belgium narrowly secures its place in the Round of 16.
USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox
- Betting Odds: USA (-267) / Draw (+395) / Bosnia-Herzegovina (+855)
The United States enters the Round of 32 as the favorite, but Bosnia-Herzegovina has already shown throughout this World Cup cycle that it shouldn’t be underestimated. The Americans won Group D with a disciplined, well-rounded performance, yet this figures to be another difficult test against an opponent that has consistently proven it can compete with stronger nations. While the U.S. has the attacking talent to advance, this is unlikely to be a comfortable afternoon.
Bosnia-Herzegovina has quietly built an impressive résumé. It eliminated Italy during World Cup qualifying, earned a draw against Canada earlier in the tournament, and held Switzerland scoreless into the 70th minute before eventually fading. Those results highlight a team that plays with discipline, stays compact defensively, and refuses to make life easy for more talented opponents. Bosnia may not dominate possession, but it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to frustrate favorites and keep matches within reach.
The United States should control much of the ball and create better scoring opportunities, but Bosnia’s defensive organization makes a multi-goal American victory far from certain. Knockout matches often become tense, physical affairs, and Bosnia has shown it can thrive in exactly those situations. Expect another competitive, low-scoring contest where the Americans may need patience to find a breakthrough. Bosnia-Herzegovina +1.5 offers the best value, as the underdog has every chance to keep this match close, even if the U.S. ultimately advances.
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Final Verdict: Bet on Bosnia-Herzegovina +1.5
Bosnia-Herzegovina +1.5 stands out as the best value in this matchup. With the United States drawing significant public support, the spread has become more generous than it probably should be for a World Cup knockout match. Historically, elimination games are often decided by a single goal, as favorites tend to prioritize advancing over chasing margin.
Bosnia has already shown throughout qualifying and the tournament that it can frustrate quality opponents. The Dragons eliminated Italy in qualifying, earned a draw against Canada, and kept Switzerland scoreless for more than 70 minutes. Their disciplined defensive shape and willingness to battle for 90 minutes make them well-equipped to keep this contest competitive.
The United States still has the talent to advance, but expecting a comfortable multi-goal victory may be asking too much against such a well-organized opponent. With American betting interest likely inflating the line, backing Bosnia-Herzegovina +1.5 allows bettors to take advantage of the extra cushion in what projects to be another tight, low-scoring World Cup knockout match.
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
