- Team USA — a 2026 co-host — is favored to win Group D and is the betting favorite for Friday’s opener vs. Paraguay (moneyline roughly USA -110, Paraguay +305, Draw +235).
- Much of the wagering is coming from home‑nation support, with big spikes in action expected in the final hour or two before kickoff.
- Caesars says a draw is the bookmaker’s best outcome; interestingly, they’ve taken more wagers on the draw so far than on Paraguay.
The news, distilled into what matters.
- U.S. players erupted watching the Knicks’ historic NBA Finals comeback — Tyler Adams went especially wild (a viral clip even shows him climbing/kicking a couch), a lighthearted moment of team camaraderie before the World Cup.
- Morocco withdrew stars Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd due to injuries; Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane were called up as replacements ahead of their opener against Brazil.
- Austria called up Dejan Ljubicic — his first national-team appearance in nearly three years — to replace injured midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, changing their midfield profile.
- World Cup fever is here — FOX Sports launched a “Friendly Wager” series offering weekly betting picks for sharp and recreational bettors.
- Hot pick: USA to score 3+ goals vs Paraguay (+380), backed by Pulisic, Balogun and Haji Wright (total is 2.5).
- Value plays: Mikel Oyarzabal for Golden Boot (+1600) and Mexico to win Group A (-140) as host favorites.
- The World Cup expands to 48 teams across USA/Canada/Mexico (12 groups of 4) and now sends 32 teams into the knockout rounds — more matches and more chances for upsets.
- Expect new game-flow rules: mandatory three-minute cooling/water breaks each half (around 22' and 67'), plus short timers for throw-ins, goal kicks and subs — and injured players who stop play must leave for one minute.
- VAR’s role is widened: automated goal/offsides tech and reviews to decide last touch (corner vs. goal kick) and second-yellow send-offs — which should fix errors but may still stir controversy.
- Even Shohei Ohtani had an off night — he gave up three runs and was robbed of a would‑be homer, and the Pirates upset the Dodgers as rookie Tyler Callihan belted two homers (one a 427‑foot blast).
- The Giants pulled off a wild comeback, erasing a huge deficit and winning on Bryce Eldridge’s walk‑off grand slam — one of the biggest late rallies you’ll see.
- The surprising White Sox are in first in the AL Central after beating the Braves, with rookies like Braden Montgomery continuing to make clutch impacts.
- The 2026 World Cup runs June 11–July 19 across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., with the final at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) on July 19.
- FOX Sports is the English-language home — all 104 matches will air on FOX and FS1 and stream live/on‑demand via the FOX One and FOX Sports apps.
- The tournament opener (Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11 at 3 p.m. ET) and the U.S. opener vs. Paraguay (June 12 at 9 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi.
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