The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is about halfway through. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Tuesday to advance to the Round of 16 and Sweden lost 3-0 to France in regulation. We'll have over half of the 16-team field set by the end of the day on Wednesday. July 1 is the twenty-first match day of the tournament and the fourth day of knockout stage play.
There are 3 knockout stage games on Wednesday. England faces off against DR Congo in the opener. Belgium faces Senegal in the second game, and the USA will square off against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the nightcap.
Can England win outright, cover the 1.5-goal spread, and advance to the Round of 16? Will Belgium score 1+ goals and cover the 0.5-goal spread as favorites against Senegal? Can the USA defeat a scrappy Bosnia-Herzegovina team by multiple goals in Santa Clara, CA, USA?
Note: If a game is tied at the end of 90 minutes and stoppage time, it is technically ruled a "draw" for betting purposes. Additionally, spreads and totals only apply to the 90 minutes of regulation time and stoppage time unless specified.
I'll make picks for all 3 of the day's contests below. Continue reading for our World Cup Best Bets July 1 article.
England vs. DR Congo — Time & How to Watch
| Where | MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM ATLANTA, GA, USA |
| When | WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026, 12 PM ET |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP / KNOCKOUT STAGE / ROUND OF 32 |
| TV | FOX, FOX ONE, TELEMUNDO, FUBO |
England vs. DR Congo Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLAND | -1.5 (-115) | -350 | O 2.5 (+100) |
| DR CONGO | +1.5 (-115) | +1200 | U 2.5 (-125) |
| DRAW | – | +425 | – |
Odds accurate as of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, via TheSpread.com.
England vs DR Congo Prediction July 1 Game Result Pick
DR Congo +1.5 goals presents solid value against an England squad that regularly stalls against low-block setups under manager Thomas Tuchel.
DR Congo Manager Sébastien Desabre has built an ironclad, defensively compact structure, securing 29 clean sheets in 57 matches. Anchored by European veterans like Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Leopards have already proven their defensive mettle by holding a favored Portugal to a 1-1 draw in group play.
With Yoane Wissa—who already has 3 tournament goals—lethal on the counter-attack, DR Congo's absorb-and-strike style is perfectly engineered to frustrate the Three Lions and keep the game within the 1.5-goal margin.
Pick: DR Congo +1.5 (-115)
Belgium vs. Senegal — Time & How to Watch
| Where | LUMEN FIELD, SEATTLE, WA, USA |
| When | WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026, 4 PM ET |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP / KNOCKOUT STAGE / ROUND OF 32 |
| TV | FS1, FOX ONE, TELEMUNDO, FUBO |
Belgium vs. Senegal Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELGIUM | -0.5 (+110) | +115 | O 2.5 (-105) |
| SENEGAL | +0.5 (-135) | +265 | U 2.5 (-120) |
| DRAW | – | +230 | – |
Belgium vs Senegal Prediction July 1 Game Result Pick
Belgium -0.5 goals offers significant value on Wednesday. They will be facing off against a Senegal squad battling off-field bonus disputes and a porous defense that conceded 6 goals to France and Norway in group play.
Highly motivated to erase their 2022 group-stage exit, manager Rudi Garcia’s Red Devils finally unlocked their attacking potential in a 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand. With Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings and Leandro Trossard in blistering form, Belgium's clinical finishing should be on full display against the Lions of Teranga.
While Senegal relies on raw pace, Belgium’s superior big-match experience and tactical discipline make them a highly reliable outright play to cover the number and win in regulation.
Pick: Belgium -0.5 (+110)
USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina — Time & How to Watch
| Where | LEVI'S STADIUM, SANTA CLARA, CA, USA |
| When | WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026, 8 PM ET |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP / KNOCKOUT STAGE / ROUND OF 32 |
| TV | FOX, FOX ONE, TELEMUNDO, FUBO |
USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | -1.5 (+105) | -265 | O 2.5 (-135) |
| BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA | +1.5 (-135) | +800 | U 2.5 (+110) |
| DRAW | – | +400 | – |
USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Prediction July 1 Game Result Pick
USA -1.5 goals is a solid bet against a 61st-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina squad ill-equipped to handle a relentless American press.
Fueled by a massive home-field advantage in Santa Clara, the USMNT's situational trend of dominant domestic performances is undeniable. With Christian Pulisic returning to full fitness and Folarin Balogun in lethal form with 2 tournament goals, the USA's high-octane attack should trouble an aging Bosnian backline featuring 33-year-old Sead Kolasinac.
Following multi-goal group stage victories over Paraguay and Australia, backing the Stars and Stripes to clear the ATS margin is a tactically sound play.
Pick: USA -1.5 (+105)
The USA is playing their first game in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Are you new to soccer betting? See our how to bet on soccer guide to learn more about wagering on World Cup matches.
Today's World Cup Predictions
- DR Congo +1.5 (-115)
- Belgium -0.5 (+110)
- USA -1.5 (+105)