World Cup Qualifiers Betting Preview – Tuesday 9 September
Tuesday marks the final fixtures of this round of European World Cup qualifiers before players return to their clubs, giving teams one last opportunity to make an impression in Groups D, F, and K. France host Iceland in Paris, Hungary welcome Portugal to Budapest, and Serbia take on England in Belgrade. Below are my thoughts on each match, along with a suggested bet for every encounter.
Before we dive into the previews, here’s a quick look at the current World Cup 2026 outright odds. Spain lead the market at 5/1, followed by France and Brazil at 13/2. England are priced at 7/1, Argentina at 8/1, while Germany and Portugal both sit at 11/1. The remainder of the field starts from 20/1 and upwards.
Click here for the latest World Cup Outright Odds
FRANCE v ICELAND – Click here to bet
France return to Paris on Tuesday aiming to consolidate their strong start in Group D. Didier Deschamps’ men opened their campaign with a clinical 2-0 win over Ukraine in Wrocław, where Michael Olise scored a first-half strike before Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory late on. The captain’s 51st international goal drew him level with Thierry Henry on France’s all-time scoring charts, further underlining his importance. France are currently second in the early standings with three points and enter Tuesday’s clash with a solid platform to build on, particularly knowing that Les Bleus have lost just once in their last 22 World Cup qualifiers.
Iceland arrive in Paris with momentum and plenty of optimism after demolishing Azerbaijan 5-0 in Reykjavík, a result that keeps them level with France in the early standings on three points. Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson netted twice, while Albert Guðmundsson and Kristian Hlynsson were also on target during a ruthless second-half display. The emphatic scoreline provided a timely boost following their relegation from the Nations League earlier this year, rekindling hopes of only their second World Cup finals appearance. Yet their biggest challenge lies on the road. Iceland have lost three of their last four away internationals and will need to defy that trend to have any chance of an upset in Paris.
Head-to-Head
France have never lost to Iceland in 19 meetings (W14, D5), including the last three competitive encounters, which they won by an aggregate of 10-2. Their most recent match ended 1-0 in favour of France in 2019, while earlier that year at home they demolished Iceland 4-0 in the European Championship qualifiers.
Betting
France 1/10
Draw 10/1
Iceland 25/1
Verdict
France are overwhelming favourites, particularly at home where they have been near-unbeatable in World Cup Qualifiers for more than three decades. Iceland will arrive buoyed by their huge opening win but are stepping into a very different arena against world-class opposition. Injuries in France’s forward line may temper the scale of their victory, but with Mbappé in record-chasing mode, they should still find a way to win comfortably.
Suggested Bet: Handicap – France -2.5 at 5/6
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HUNGARY v PORTUGAL – Click here to bet
Hungary return to Budapest still kicking themselves after letting two points slip in Dublin. Marco Rossi’s men looked set for a perfect start in Group F when Barnabás Varga and Roland Sallai fired them into a 2-0 first-half lead, but the complexion of the game changed after the break. Ireland pulled one back, Sallai saw red for a reckless challenge, and Adam Idah’s stoppage-time header denied the Magyars victory. While Hungary showed attacking threat and defensive resilience early on, lapses in discipline and game management proved costly. They now face the group favourites under added pressure, having failed to register a single win in their last five competitive internationals (D2, L3), a run that includes defeats to higher-ranked opponents such as the Netherlands and Turkey.
Portugal arrive in the Hungarian capital on the back of a statement win. Roberto Martínez’s side thumped Armenia 5-0 in Yerevan, a performance full of energy, control, and clinical finishing. João Félix netted twice, Cristiano Ronaldo extended his remarkable international tally to 140 goals with a brace of his own, and João Cancelo capped a sparkling display with a goal and an assist. The Seleção rotated heavily after the break yet maintained dominance, underlining their squad depth. That result stretched their unbeaten World Cup qualifiers away run to nine matches, and with Nations League success still fresh, Portugal look a side brimming with belief and intent, although Hungary will likely provide their sternest test in Group F so far.
Head-to-Head
Portugal have never lost to Hungary in 14 previous meetings (W10, D4) and have won seven of the last eight encounters. Their last meeting was at Euro 2020 when Portugal prevailed 3-0 in Budapest, while Hungary’s best result in recent memory was a 3-3 draw at Euro 2016.
Betting
Hungary 5/1
Draw 7/2
Portugal 8/15
Verdict
Hungary will hope home support at the Puskás Aréna can inspire them, but recent form suggests this is a daunting assignment. Without Sallai, their attacking threat is blunted, while their defence has looked vulnerable against top-level opposition. Portugal, by contrast, are in ruthless form, with Ronaldo and Félix spearheading an attack that looks full of confidence. Goals are likely, but the visitors should have the extra quality to take control.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Portugal at 8/15
SERBIA v ENGLAND – Click here to bet
Serbia kept their unbeaten run going with a 1–0 victory in Riga on Saturday, Dušan Vlahović netting early to secure the points against Latvia. While not always convincing, the result moved the Eagles into clear second place in Group K on seven points, extending their unbeaten sequence in internationals to seven matches. Back in Belgrade, they’ll take comfort from a formidable World Cup qualifying home record — they haven’t lost in 13 matches on Serbian soil in a World Cup Qualifier (W9, D4). That sequence includes draws with Croatia and Portugal, as well as Spain and Denmark in the Nations League, an indication of what England can expect this week.
England, by contrast, remain perfect on paper but underwhelming on the pitch. Their 2–0 win over Andorra at Villa Park kept them top of Group K with four wins from four, taking their tally to twelve points, all accompanied by clean sheets. Elliot Anderson’s debut was a rare highlight in an otherwise flat display, with criticism again aimed at Thomas Tuchel’s conservative, one-dimensional tactics. Yet despite the underwhelming performances, England’s numbers remain impressive, six straight competitive wins without conceding and unbeaten in their last 16 World Cup qualifying away matches. Among the few consistent standouts, Declan Rice continues to be a key contributor in the Three Lions camp, scoring against Andorra on Saturday and already providing two assists in their qualifying campaign.
Head-to-Head
The sides’ only recent competitive meeting came at Euro 2024, where Jude Bellingham’s header gave England a 1–0 win in their opening game in Germany.
Betting
Serbia 15/4
Draw 11/4
England 15/20
Verdict
Both teams arrive unbeaten, both yet to concede in qualifying, but neither has fully convinced going forward. Serbia’s home record is imposing, and Mitrović’s return adds bite, while England travel well but are still waiting to find rhythm under Tuchel. Expect a cagey, low-scoring encounter defined by fine margins rather than open attacking play.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score – No at 8/10
Click here for betting on all of this week’s international matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
