World Cup Predictions Today: Best Bets & Prop Picks for Thursday, June 25

It's time for Groups D, E, and F to wrap up their group stage play with Matchday 3, and my World Cup predictions for Thursday will have you covered from the opening kickoff through the final whistle. 

Only two of the teams playing today (Turkey, Tunisia) have been eliminated, and first place in Group F remains up for grabs. There are also still seven third-place spots left to be formally booked, so there is lots on the line today.

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⚽ World Cup predictions today: June 25

See all of our experts' World Cup picks based on the latest World Cup odds and favorites 

Total wagered: 5.5 units | Max profit: 7.94 units

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💰 Best World Cup prediction today

Australia Over 3.5 corners (-120) vs. Paraguay

This is one of the most meaningful games on today's slate, with both teams needing points to guarantee a spot in the knockouts. Australia will rely on cross-heavy wing play, while Paraguay will likely employ a stiff, deep shell. That sets things up for crosses to be deflected out of bounds, a fantastic spot to be in for a squad that wants to try to utilize its tall center-backs to produce its offense.

Kickoff time: 10 p.m. ET
Paraguay vs. Australia odds: Paraguay (+165) | Draw (+130) | Australia (+340)
How to watch: FS1 / Universo / FOX One

💵 SBR Edge: A low hurdle for a jumping Socceroo

This is a low bar for Australia to get over today, and one they've cleared in both their win vs. Turkey and loss to USA. Paraguay gave up only three corners to USA in their opener, but that game was out of hand before the halftime whistle. Turkey smashed them for 12 corners last time out, so they are indeed "getable."

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🔥 More World Cup predictions for Thursday

Ivory Coast to win both halves (+120) / Yan Diamonde to record an assist (+250) vs. Curacao

Bouncing back from a 7-1 loss to Germany in the opener, Curacao recorded a point via a draw vs. Ecuador on Matchday 2. All they needed to do was 15 saves from Eloy Room, tying a World Cup record. That's not a sustainable path to a draw. 

All Ivory Coast needs here is a draw, but the talent gap is so huge that it's hard to see them not getting a comfortable win. Curacao isn't officially eliminated, so there's still an impetus for them to push forward and give it a go. Diomande has created seven chances through two games per FotMob.com (3.6/90), so if the Ivory Coast can snag a couple or three goals, he's in the mix to pick up a helper.

Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
Curacao vs. Ivory Coast: Curacao (+1400) | Draw (+650) | Ivory Coast (-525)
How to watch: FS1 / Universo / FOX One

Ecuador vs. Germany both teams to score: yes (-128) / Germany Over 5.5 shots on target (+110)

Germany has Group E all wrapped up already, so they don't have anything to actually work toward here. We should see some rotation there, but the Nationalelf will be plenty strong even if we see the backups. In fact, the subs have been doing plenty of damage when they've been on, and there's plenty of pride at work. A modest shot line of 5.5 at plus-money is a good value for a team that will still work into the opposition box, no matter the scenario.

Germany's defense hasn't been top-notch - they've allowed a goal in both of their games so far, and Ecuador has been a little unlucky in being blanked. Ecuador logged 1.01 xG in the opener versus a very strong Ivory Coast defense, hitting the woodwork three times, and it hit the woodwork again in posting 2.84 xG against Curacao. They'll get through Germany.  

Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
Ecuador vs. Germany odds: Ecuador (+400) | Draw (+370) | Germany (-165)
How to watch:  FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

💰️ More Group E World Cup predictions today

We break down both Group E games more in-depth as well. Philip Wood digs in with his best Curacao vs. Ivory Coast prediction, while Gordon Brunt has taken a deep dive with his Ecuador vs. Germany prediction

Japan moneyline (-110) vs. Sweden / Japan Over 1.5 goals (-113) / Kamada to score or assist (+225)

Japan has plenty to play for here: if the Netherlands slips up and ends in a draw (which is unlikely, but wouldn't be the biggest shock of the 2026 World Cup), then Japan can secure Group F with a victory. There are also paths where they both win, and Japan takes the group if they post a better goal differential. Even if there's the same goal diff, there's a path, but we're getting well down the road now. 

Sweden was exposed by Netherlands in a 5-1 loss on Matchday 2, and today they have to push for points to guarantee a spot in the next round. With numbers forward, and a slow-ish backline, Sweden will be exposed via a strong Japan counterattack that has seen Daichi Kamada emerge as a focal point in the offense.

Kickoff time: 7 p.m. ET
Japan vs. Sweden odds: Japan (-110) | Draw (+245) | Sweden (+320)
How to watch: FOX / Universo / FOX One

Netherlands vs. Tunisia Over 3.5 goals (+100) / Cody Gakpo to score 2+ (+500)

The Netherlands currently leads the way in Group F, going to the third tiebreaker to have an edge on Japan (seven goals for vs. six goals for). But with my assessment that Japan is set to pick up three points, the Netherlands will need to do the same. 

Tunisia have already been eliminated and have conceded nine goals, the most of any team in the tournament (which includes a dozen teams that have already played their third games!). There's no motivation there to try at all, while the Netherlands - led by Cody Gapko - can probably get this over the line on their own. And with two goals in two games, Gakpo should pad that total. But remember - play this type of player prop at a site that carries on your wager even when your player subs off. That saw Brian Brobbey come on for Gakpo in the opener, and Galatasaray forward Noa Lang come on in the 90th minute in the last game.

Our Philip Wood takes a closer look into this one with his Tunisia vs. Netherlands prediction.

Kickoff time: 7 p.m. ET
Tunisia vs. Netherlands odds: Tunisia (+2200) | Draw (+950) | Netherlands (-900)
How to watch: FS1 / Telemundo / FOX One

Andres Cubas to be booked (+333)

A second play from the Australia game, Cubas has been incredibly fortunate to avoid a booking through two games. The Paraguay midfielder has recorded five fouls in each of the first two games of the tournament, a number that usually will get you into the referee's book for persistent fouling. 

And Cubas is no stranger to the book. In 10 starts (11 appearances) this year for the Vancouver Whitecaps he's picked up five yellows, and last year in 25 starts (26 appearances) last year he snagged 10. 

His luck runs out tonight.

Kickoff time: 10 p.m. ET
Paraguay vs. Australia odds: Paraguay (+165) | Draw (+130) | Australia (+340)
How to watch: FS1 / Universo / FOX One

USA vs. Turkey Over 2.5

The day's most-bet game at BetMGM, and the day's least interesting game. The United States have already claimed Group D, no one can knock them out of the top spot. Turkey has already been eliminated, failing to score in two games. 

But Turkey has had an incredibly high shot volume, and the US could have a lot of rotation given their situation. Seeing Turkey net one tonight wouldn't be a shock. Even rotated, the USMNT will push the tempo and look to put on a show for the home fans. We saw Mexico, similarly playing for nothing, post a 3-0 win last night. There's a lot of motivation to end group play on a high note and give the fans a show. 

Kickoff time: 10 p.m. ET
Turkey vs. USA odds: Turkey (+285) | Draw (+310) | USA (-115)
How to watch: FOX / Telemundo / FOX One

💸 More Group D World Cup predictions today

It's the biggest game on the slate according to the sportsbooks, and Gordon Brunt has his favorite plays lined up in his Turkey vs. United States prediction