Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany look to lock up top spot in Group E after slamming nine goals across their opening two victories, albeit seven of them coming in their demolition of World Cup debutants Curacao.
Elsewhere, Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands must protect their narrow goal-difference advantage at the summit of Group F against a struggling Tunisia side, as Graham Potter's Sweden face a high-stakes qualification shootout against a technically superb Japan.
Luis de la Fuente's Spain will look to preserve their unbreached defensive record against Marcelo Bielsa's physical Uruguay side, while Didier Deschamps’ France prepare for a premium heavyweight collision with a free-scoring Norway.
Here are Tipstrr's tips for three of the biggest and best games from Thursday night’s line-up at World Cup 2026.
Ecuador v Germany
- Kick-off 9:00pm, Thursday, June 25 (Live on ITV)
Germany have already secured knockout qualification after slamming nine goals across their opening two matches, sealing their spot with a 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side will equal an all-time national record of 12 consecutive wins with a victory at the MetLife Stadium, although they must navigate a tournament-ending ankle injury to centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, with Malick Thiaw or Waldemar Anton set to step in.
Ecuador are in absolute desperation mode, sitting third in Group E with a single point. Sebastián Beccacece’s side have kept things tight defensively through Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, but they remain chronically toothless in attack.
La Tri failed to find the net from 27 shots in their 0-0 draw with Curaçao, marking their ninth goalless stalemate since July 2024.
With top spot already locked up, Nagelsmann will rotate, offering a deserved start to Deniz Undav. The Stuttgart forward already has five goal involvements from the bench, matching Roger Milla’s iconic 1990 tournament record for a substitute.
Because Ecuador must win to survive, wing-backs Pervis Estupiñán and John Yeboah will be forced high up the pitch. This will leave Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo completely overrun in midfield, exposing massive transitional space for clinical secondary attackers like Maximilian Beier to exploit.
The market has lengthened Germany's price due to the expected rotation, but it’s worth noting that the time between matches may limit said rotation. And Nagelsmann’s side has the depth to make sure they round off a perfect group stage regardless.
Suggested bet: Germany to win at 9/10 (1.90)
- Tipped by: The FMW Service
Tunisia v Netherlands
- Kick-off 00:00am, Friday, June 26 (Live on BBC)
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands found their tournament stride on matchday two, dismantling Sweden 5-1 following an opening 2-2 draw with Japan. The Oranje sit top of Group F on goal difference and require a victory to guarantee top spot ahead of the Japanese.
Ajax forward Brian Brobbey, who terrorised the Swedish defence with a first-half brace, is carrying a minor knock but is expected to start alongside Cody Gakpo, who also bagged a double last weekend.
History heavily backs the Dutch here; they have never lost a World Cup match against African opposition, remaining unbeaten across five previous encounters (W4, D1).
Tunisia are already mathematically eliminated after enduring back-to-back thrashings. The Eagles of Carthage sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi after their opening 5-1 loss to Sweden, but replacement Hervé Renard failed to spark a reaction, overseeing a clinical 4-0 defeat to Japan where his side failed to register a single shot on target.
Another heavy beating tonight would make Tunisia the first nation in World Cup history to lose three matches by a four-goal margin in a single tournament.
Renard is tipped to abandon his predecessor's rigid back-five for a traditional back-four, but a midfield anchored by Ellyes Skhiri will be systematically overrun by Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders.
With the Dutch highly motivated to run up the scoreline to secure the group's top seed, a fragile, demoralised Tunisian rearguard will bleed chances. However, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a more adventurous Tunisia giving the Dutch defence a headache or two along the way.
Suggested bet: Both teams to score at 2/1 (3.00)
- Tipped by: SVB Tips
Japan v Sweden
- Kick-off 00:00am, Friday, June 26 (Live on BBC)
Japan enter the Group F finale needing only a point to guarantee a last-32 spot after backing up their opening 2-2 draw against the Netherlands with a clinical 4-0 dismantling of Tunisia. Hajime Moriyasu’s side receive a major boost with forward Shuto Machino available after missing matchday two through illness.
The Samurai Blue are otherwise expected to remain unchanged, relying on their rapid transition metrics to exploit a disorganised Swedish rearguard that was repeatedly carved open last weekend.
Graham Potter’s Sweden find their knockout ambitions hanging in the balance after a 5-1 thrashing by the Dutch completely erased the momentum (and the positive goal difference) of their opening 5-1 victory over Tunisia.
Potter is resistant to making knee-jerk personnel changes despite the defensive collapse, although Anthony Elanga is pushing for his first tournament start after a lively second-half cameo off the bench.
While a draw will almost certainly see Sweden progress to the knockouts—potentially as one of the best third-placed sides—settling for a point is a dangerous strategy against a Japanese side that shifts into attack with terrifying speed.
Historically, Sweden have controlled this fixture, remaining unbeaten across four previous encounters (W1, D3). However, with Sweden’s opening two matches producing a combined 12 goals, their clear defensive deficiencies under Potter mean they must rely on their own heavy attacking output to survive.
Suggested bet: Japan to win at 9/10 (1.90)
- Tipped by: The FMW Service
World Cup Thursday tip summary
- Ecuador vs. Germany: Germany to win at 9/10 (1.90)
- Tunisia vs. Netherlands: Both teams to score at 2/1 (3.00)
- Japan vs. Sweden: Japan to win at 9/10 (1.90)
Combined odds: Just under 11/1 with Bet365
**Prices correct at time of publication. We recommend backing as singles.