The World Cup quarterfinals end today with two more marquee matchups: Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.
Our team of experts has picks for each match, so let's dive into today's World Cup best bets.
Today's World Cup Best Bets, Expert Picks
The team logos in the table below represent each of the World Cup matchups that our staff is targeting from today's slate. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
  | 5:00 p.m. | |
| 5:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:00 p.m. | |
| 9:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our World Cup Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Norway vs England Team to Advance Pick
England will kick off against Norway in the quarterfinal at a shorter price in the ‘to qualify’ and ‘1x2 market’ than they did against Mexico in Mexico City. The venue in the Round of 16, at the Stadio Azteca, and Mexico being a host nation will have affected the odds in the last round, which was the only game in which England kicked off at odds-against in the 1x2 market.
Now priced at odds-on in the 1x2 market, England are expected to win in 90 minutes. The bookmakers’ odds imply a 54% probability of England winning. At the same time, Norway, which has never featured at this stage of the tournament, has a 26% chance of securing a victory, according to the market.
In terms of squad depth, quality, and after analysing both teams as a collective, it’s no surprise to see England as favorites.
Now buoyed by their win in Mexico City at altitude, if England can replicate a similar level of output and performance, they should beat Norway. Progression to the semi-final, though, will likely hinge on whether the England defense can suppress Erling Haaland in forward areas.
Successfully limit Erling Haaland’s goals and output in the final third, and Thomas Tuchel’s side will likely emerge victorious in the ‘to qualify’ market.
Still, with seven goals from 4.32 xG in just four appearances, given that Haaland sat out the final group game against France to manage fatigue, stopping him will be easier said than done.
Pick: England to Qualify (-225)
Norway vs England Goalscorers Picks
The outcome of the upcoming quarter-final fixture between England and Norway might hinge on which striker performs best out of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. The England forward, Kane, is the only player priced at odds-on in the anytime goalscorer market, while Haaland commands the second-favorite position.
Fortunately for Kane, and what might prove costly for Norway, is that the Norwegian defense raises questions at this level. They’ve conceded in all five World Cup fixtures so far.
But if anyone can inspire another upset for Norway, it is Haaland. The Norwegian striker has already scored seven goals in four matches and has been remarkably clinical in front of goal.
Among the three players tied on seven goals, Haaland boasts the highest shot conversion rate at 38.89%; however, achieving this rate with the fewest shots taken of the trio.
Picks: Harry Kane & Erling Haaland Anytime Goalscorers (-105 & +120)
Argentina vs Switzerland Team Pick
Argentina’s attack has been on fire in this World Cup. They scored a tournament-high 14 goals in five matches (the same as France) from 10.85 xG (Expected Goals). Only France attempted more shots on target (39) than Argentina (32), while Argentina’s goal conversion of 18.67% ranks among the top five in the 2026 World Cup.
Switzerland did concede a goal in each of their three group matches, but their defense stepped up in the knockouts and kept Algeria and Colombia from scoring.
However, it’s going to be extremely difficult to fend off mighty Argentina’s attack led by Lionel Messi, who is the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals.
Argentina scored over 1.5 goals in four of their five matches so far. They only failed to do so in the Round of 32 game against Cape Verde, which finished 1-1 in regulation. They did score two goals in extra time to defeat the Blue Sharks.
Excluding that extra-time game with Cape Verde, Argentina scored over 1.5 goals in 11 consecutive matches, so Switzerland will have to work even harder than they did against Colombia to keep a clean sheet or limit La Albiceleste to one goal.
Switzerland made four errors that led to shots so far in the tournament. Although none of those mistakes led to a goal, Switzerland is facing the best attack in the World Cup, and they have to be extra cautious here.
Pick: Argentina Over 1.5 Goals (-110)
Argentina vs Switzerland Asian Handicap Pick
Argentina enter the quarter-finals as overwhelming bookmakers' favorites to progress, having already proved highly lucrative for bettors; Lionel Scaloni’s side have delivered a 37.0% return on investment in the Asian Handicap market over the opening five matches of their title defense.
Backing the reigning champions to comfortably cover the -0.75 Asian Handicap looks a sensible proposition, particularly given Switzerland's struggles to create meaningful scoring opportunities against Colombia in the Round of 16, where they produced only 0.3 xG (expected goals) in 90 minutes and one shot on target during extra time.
The South American side has scored two or more goals in 11 consecutive World Cup fixtures, but can also count on a highly performing defense.
Despite uncharacteristically conceding five goals during the tournament so far, Argentina have the second-best underlying defensive metrics in the entire World Cup, restricting opposing attackers to just 0.60 expected goals (xG) and just 1.80 shots on target per game, which are both the second-best records behind Spain.
Switzerland lacks a distinct creative spark, a problem compounded by the likely absence of their injured striker Jonathan Manzambi, who has been their main threat at the tournament so far, with 0.35 and 1.35 shots on target per 90 minutes.
Pick: Argentina Asian Handicap -0.75 (-115)
