With temperatures soaring, things are also heating in the group stage of World Cup 2026 as we approach the dramatic conclusions of Group A and Group E, with four climactic fixtures set to decide destinies on Thursday, June 25th.
In Group A, South Africa and South Korea meet in Guadalupe at 02:00 (UK time), with both sides still harbouring knockout phase-qualification hopes. Mexico, who are already through, stand in the way of the Czech Republic, with action there kicking off at the same time.
On Thursday night, Group E’s final games will be contested simultaneously at 21:00. Germany have already secured passage to the knockouts, though their opponents, Ecuador, need a result in New Jersey to join them. Ivory Coast meanwhile, need only a point in Philadelphia to guarantee second spot when they collide with a Curacao outfit on the brink of elimination.
Below, we’ve published a football bet builder featuring selections from all four World Cup fixtures on Thursday’s slate, which can be backed at a combined 12/1 using the latest prices at LiveScoreBet. For more free bets and World Cup 2026 predictions and betting tips, check out our dedicated hub.
World Cup Bet Builder Bets – Thursday, 25 June
South Africa vs South Korea
Lee Han-beom (South Korea) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Czech Republic vs Mexico
Ladislav Krejci (Czech Republic) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Curacao vs Ivory Coast
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) to have over 1.5 shots on target
Ecuador vs Germany
Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) to have 0.5 shots on target
Bet Builder odds are 12/1 with LiveScoreBet – Potential winnings: £10 stake returns £130
South Africa vs South Korea
Lee Han-beom (South Korea) to concede over 1.5 fouls
One of our earlier bet builder bets for the World Cup leaned on Lee Han-beom in this market and that wager had a successful outcome, so we’re returning to the South Korean defender for the Taegeuk Warriors’ tussle with South Africa.
The 24-year-old committed three fouls on matchday one against Mexico and the Midtjylland centre half followed that up with another three when he lined up against Czechia in Atlanta last week.
The centre back, who is rumoured to be a summer transfer target for Liverpool and other Premier League clubs, averaged 1.38 fouls per 90 minutes in the Danish Superliga last term, so this is a proven performer in the market. Back Lee Han-beom to commit at least two fouls for his third successive World Cup appearance.
Recommended bet: Lee Han-beom (South Korea) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Czech Republic vs Mexico
Ladislav Krejci (Czech Republic) to concede over 1.5 fouls
The next entry in our bet builder feature is Ladislav Krejci, the Czech defender who has been drawing plenty of attention from World Cup referees.
Krejci gave away three free kicks in his first Group A outing against South Korea and three more when he faced South Africa after that, indeed, the 27-year-old has committed more fouls in total (six) than any other Czech Republic player at the tournament so far.
The central defender, who committed eight fouls across nine World Cup qualification runouts for Czechia, also averaged 1.26 fouls per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season for relegated Wolves.
Krejci’s tackling can be awkward against attackers with pace and Mexico have plenty of that on the flanks. Bet builder odds are favourable here and Krejci is fancied to land 2+ fouls for the third game running.
Recommended bet: Ladislav Krejci (Czech Republic) to concede over 1.5 fouls
Curacao vs Ivory Coast
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) to have over 1.5 shots on target
Ivory Coast only need a point to book their place in the World Cup’s knockout phase, however, they are likely to go full throttle for three against a weak Curacao outfit, and winger Amad Diallo will be expected to shoulder plenty of responsibility in the final third.
The Manchester United winger came off the bench to excellent effect on matchday one against Ecuador, registering two shots on target and scoring a late winner to deservedly earn a starting spot for Ivory Coast’s second game against Germany.
The 23-year-old has less success against the Germans, but did have a goal-bound effort cleared off the line and the diminutive forward has the right attributes to be an even greater menace on Thursday.
World Cup debutants Curacao somehow escaped with a point against Ecuador last time out, despite conceding 27 shots and 15 shots on target, while they also shipped seven goals and conceded 26 attempts (12 on target) against Germany before that.
In fact, only Qatar have been conceding more shots per game at the World Cup than the Blue Wave, so expect Ivory Coast to flood forward in search of goals at Lincoln Financial Field. Our free football tips anticipate plenty of involvement for Amad Diallo there, and backing him to hit over 1.5 shots on target is an easy inclusion.
Recommended bet: Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) to have over 1.5 shots on target
Ecuador vs Germany
Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) to have 0.5 shots on target
Ecuador need to beat Germany (and Ivory Coast to slip up against Curacao) to secure a top-two finish in the Group E World Cup 2026 standings on Thursday, and they will be looking to Gonzalo Plata for inspiration at the MetLife Stadium.
Plata was good for one shot on target against Ivory Coast on matchday one, though the winger was even more effective against Curacao, racking up five attempts in total, three of which hit the target.
The attacker is an established force at club level, hitting 3.52 shots and 1.92 shots on target per 90minutes for Flamengo in Brazil’s Serie A last season, and he has the talent to threaten what is likely to be a shuffled German XI. Plata offers buckets of value to test Die Mannschaft’s keeper with just one effort here.
Recommended bet: Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) to have 0.5 shots on target
