With the 2026 FIFA World Cup producing and endless supply of upsets and excitement, the best predictions are becoming increasingly difficult to find. 

The second day of matches in Groups E and F represent a critical time in the first portion of the tournament. Winners will already be mapping their route through the bracket to the final. Losers, meanwhile, are going to consider all possible options to sneak into the bracket, or run the risk of being held out of competition for another four years. 

With eight countries prepared for battle on Saturday, we’ve compiled our best World Cup predictions. Here are our top picks today.

World Cup Predictions: June 20

Netherlands vs. Sweden Prediction

The Netherlands got its World Cup started with a 2-2 draw against Japan after conceding an 89th-minute equalizer. The Dutch team did not create many effective chances, but it did look comfortable combining in the midfield and working its way up the flank, particularly on the right-hand side.

Sweden stomped Tunisia so badly in its opening match that it got the opposing manager fired after a 5-1 result. The Swedes have real power in attack with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, although their three-center-back system can be exposed if its opponent finds success in the wide areas of the pitch.

While Sweden has the upper-hand in the group standings, the Netherlands are much better than Tunisia, and have the quality to create chances against the Swedish defense.

Trade Handle Netherlands vs. Sweden prediction: Netherlands to win ($.56 at Kalshi)

Netherlands vs. Sweden: How to Watch

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Germany vs. Ivory Coast Prediction

Germany throttled Curaçao in a 7-1 victory that had Brazilian onlookers reliving nightmares. There wasn’t much that was learned about Germany in this match, aside from it having a talented squad with attacking threats.

Ivory Coast snuck a 90th-minute winner in a 1-0 match against Ecuador to open its tournament. 19-year-old Yan Diomande is an exciting player moving forward, but attacker Elye Wahi was denied a visa and left at the border amid match-fixing accusations. 

The Ivorians never-say-die mentality served them well in the opener, but they don’t have the same class of players as Germany. 

Trade Handle Germany vs. Ivory Coast prediction: Germany to win ($.52 at Kalshi)

Germany vs. Ivory Coast : How to Watch

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo

Location: BMO Field, Toronto, CA

Ecuador vs. Curaçao Prediction

Ecuador has a couple of workhorses in Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie in its team, but it lacks creative talent moving up the pitch. Its World Cup goal-scoring will likely come from industry over raw talent, if it manages to get on the board.

Curaçao made a statement by bagging a goal against Germany and tying the game at 1-1… before losing 7-1. The smallest country at the tournament will always be an underdog, but it showed surprising intensity and defensive structure before being undone by the German flair. 

Curaçao showed something, and I’m not in love with this Ecuador team, so I’d back an underdog outcome.

Trade Handle Ecuador vs. Curaçao prediction: Ecuador not to win ($.13 at Kalshi)

Ecuador vs. Curaçao: How to Watch

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo

Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Tunisia vs. Japan Prediction

Tunisia is hoping to get a new-manager bounce after it fired Sabri Lamouchi, although there isn’t much of a precedent of that being possible in the middle of the World Cup. They also don’t have a bunch of talent on which it can fall back, and predominantly plays a defensive five-at-the-back system.

Japan went toe-to-toe with the Netherlands in a 2-2 draw, which included a late equalizer. The players work well as a unit, have a strong understanding, and look to create opportunities on the inside channels while creating overlapping opportunities for midfield runners.

Japan looked much better on the first matchday, and I struggle to see how firing a manager in the middle of the World Cup will inject any sort of belief into a team.

Trade Handle Tunisia vs. Japan prediction: Japan to win ($.65 at Kalshi)

Tunisia vs. Japan: How to Watch

Kickoff: 12:00 a.m. ET (Sunday, June 21)

TV: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo

Location: Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, MX