The FIFA World Cup 2026 will get underway when Mexico take on South Africa tonight, followed by Korea Republic clashing with Czech Republic in the early hours of Friday morning.
Read on for best booking codes to use at Bet9ja, with all odds available at the time of writing:
Mexico vs South Africa
In a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening game, hosts Mexico and South Africa will open the World Cup once again when they clash at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday night.
Mexico will be heavily supported in the Mexico City-based stadium, while the host nation also head into the tournament in superb form, winning six and drawing two of their last eight matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, South Africa have failed to win any of their last five games, with two defeats and three draws.
Given Mexico’s home advantage and the eagerness for the host nation to get off to a strong start at the World Cup, combined with their superior form compared to South Africa’s recent struggles, we are backing Mexico to claim the victory in the first match of the FIFA World Cup.
Mexico to win, 1.44 – 5H3LLF3
Veteran striker Raul Jimenez is set to lead the line for Mexico once again at the FIFA World Cup, and the striker is expected to be their main source of goals throughout the competition.
Jimenez was on the scoresheet once again for Mexico in their 5-1 dismantling of Serbia in their final warm-up match earlier this month, and with the host nation anticipated to control the game against South Africa, they should create plenty of chances for the forward.
Jimenez has shown his clinical goalscoring ability throughout his career, and with Mexico expected to provide the striker with chances, the 35-year-old should get on the scoresheet against South Africa.
Raul Jimenez to score anytime, 2.50 – 5H3LL5C
Korea Republic vs Czech Republic
Korea Republic have demonstrated both their impressive attacking strength and vulnerable defence throughout their most recent matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding 12 goals in their last 10 matches.
Meanwhile, Czech Republic have also highlighted both their offensive ability and defensive weaknesses in recent games, scoring 15 goals and conceding six goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Given the high-scoring nature of recent matches involving these teams, we expect Friday morning’s encounter to similarly deliver plenty of action, and we predict that over 1.5 goals will be scored.
Over 1.5 goals, 1.40 – 5H3LSSV
Patrik Schick heads into the World Cup off the back of another fantastic goalscoring campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, with the striker following up 2024/25’s 27-goal season with another 22 goals in 42 matches across all competitions.
The striker continued his goalscoring form in Czech Republic’s 3-1 win over Guatemala in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup, where they will be relying on Schick to provide the goals once again.
Schick, who scored five goals in Czech Republic’s eight World Cup qualifying games, has a history of performing on the biggest stage for his country, including five goals in five European Championship matches in 2021.
Given the forward’s proven goalscoring ability for both club and country, alongside his recent form heading into the game, we are backing Schick to find the back of the net once again against Korea Republic.
Patrik Schick to score anytime, 3.00 – 5H3M37K
Combined Result/Goals Code – 5H3MBMT, Odds: 2.02
Combined Goalscorer Code – 5H3M9YL, Odds: 7.50
