The final four matches in the opening round of World Cup 2026 group stage matches will take place throughout Wednesday and Thursday morning, and plenty of action is expected as teams battle to get off to a strong start.
Read on for best booking codes to use at Bet9ja, with all odds available at the time of writing:
Portugal vs Congo DR
Portugal are among the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy come the end of summer, especially due to boasting arguably the best midfield in world football, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves.
While DR Congo will look to make it a difficult game for Portugal, the difference in quality is clear, especially after Sebastien Desabre’s side failed to beat Denmark (0-0) and Chile (2-1 loss) in their last two pre-World Cup friendlies.
With those factors in mind, we are backing Roberto Martinez’s Portugal team to win this one.
Portugal to win, 1.30 – 5HJBR72
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be the same player he once was, but his ruthless streak in front of goal remains impressive, demonstrated by scoring 30 goals in 37 matches across all competitions for Al Nassr in 2025/26.
Ronaldo was also Portugal’s top scorer (five goals) during World Cup qualifying, demonstrating his ability to turn up on the international stage, and with the striker still his nation’s focal point in attack, we believe Ronaldo will score again here.
Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime, 1.70 – 5HJBTZM
England vs Croatia
England are another of the widely regarded favourites to lift the World Cup trophy, and they will be eager to get off to a strong start against Croatia.
Although Croatia have consistently demonstrated their quality in recent international tournaments, several of their key players are ageing, including Luka Modric (40) and Ivan Perisic (37), and the heat and climate could prove difficult for those players.
Meanwhile, England head into the tournament after a particularly encouraging display against Costa Rica, which they won 3-0, and the Three Lions will be expected to take all three points against Croatia.
England to win, 1.77 – 5HJBWXN
Harry Kane enjoyed a stunning 2025/26 campaign for both club and country, scoring a staggering 61 goals in 51 matches across all competitions for Bayern Munich and nine goals in 10 matches for England.
Off the back of that sensational goalscoring season, Kane will be looking to spearhead England to the trophy, and given his brilliant form and place as England’s main attacker, we are backing the striker to score tonight.
Harry Kane to score anytime, 2.30 – 5HJC26X
Ghana vs Panama
Ghana may not be heading into the tournament in ideal standing, having lost five and drawn one of their last six matches, but they remain the favourites against Group L underdogs Panama.
Panama demonstrated their defensive vulnerability in a crushing 6-2 loss to Brazil ahead of the tournament, and with Ghana boasting attacking talent such as Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Ernest Nuamah, we are backing Carlos Quieroz’s side to secure a comfortable victory.
Ghana to win, 2.22 – 5HJC7RV
Antoine Semenyo enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career in 2025/26, scoring 21 goals in 48 appearances for Bournemouth and Manchester City, including three goals in his last four matches.
Serving as one of Ghana’s main attacking threats, we expect the forward to have plenty of chances against Panama, and with his superb goalscoring form, we predict Semenyo to get on the scoresheet.
Antoine Semenyo to score anytime, 3.25 – 5HJCDTM
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
Colombia enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing third in the CONMEBOL standings after seven wins, seven draws and four defeats, and they are undoubtedly the favourites against Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan lost each of their final two warm-up friendlies (2-0 to Canada and 2-1 to the Netherlands) and with Colombia boasting similar quality to those two sides, we anticipate a Colombia victory.
Colombia to win, 1.40 – 5HJCHQ5
Luis Diaz had a fantastic 2025/26 season, scoring 26 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions for Bayern Munich, while the winger was also Colombia’s top scorer in World Cup qualifying, finding the back of the net on seven occasions.
As Colombia are anticipated to dominate and create plenty of chances against Uzbekistan, combined with Diaz’s superb goalscoring form, we are backing the winger to convert one of the chances and get on the scoresheet.
Luis Diaz to score anytime, 2.15 – 5HJCLNH
Combined Result Code: 5HJCQZK, 7.15
Combined Goalscorer Code: 5HJCQ9K, Odds: 27.32
