Internation Friendly Games before the Soccer World Championship: schedule, top games and betting

Betting on friendly matches is one of the most toxic markets in football. Even experienced bettors regularly "break" here: you can perfectly analyze the form and line-ups, but the match can still fall apart due to substitutions, coach's experiments, and lack of real tournament motivation.

But it is in this chaos that a paradox arises: the market often makes mistakes in assessing such games. Bookmakers factor in uncertainty, and most players bet on name and reputation. As a result, where randomness is seen, value can be found - if you know how to read the context, not just the odds.

Regulations and timelines for friendly matches before the World Cup

Friendly matches of national teams before the World Cup are held in specially designated FIFA international windows. Usually, this is a period of two to three weeks before the team's start at the World Cup.

There are restrictions: teams cannot play an unlimited number of matches, as the schedule is strictly regulated. Before the World Cup, a team plays from one to four friendly matches, gradually changing the level of opponents and intensity, to peak in form by the start of the tournament.

Looking at May-June 2026, it can be noticed that top teams play two announced matches, less top teams - from one to three.

Main friendly matches before the World Cup

Spain

The main favorite to win the 2026 World Cup according to bookmakers (odds 5.80* on the Spaniards' trophy) will play two friendly matches with far from the most star-studded teams before the tournament.

Luis De la Fuente probably chose opponents based on the tasks of the group stage. Iraq is a team from the Arabian region, similar in style and manner of play to Saudi Arabia, Peru is a Latin American team with dynamic and sometimes chaotic football - obviously will be considered as a less star-studded copy of Uruguay.

Spain's friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup:

• Spain – Iraq (June 4, 21:00, hereinafter - CET time, La Coruna)
• Peru – Spain (June 9, 4:00, Puebla, Mexico)

France

The French team's quest for a third consecutive World Cup final began in March, when they chose Brazil (2:1) and Colombia (3:1) as opponents for friendly matches. We analyzed the French team and its chances to fight for the trophy for the third tournament in a row in the preview France National Team at the 2026 World Cup: squad, prediction, and statistics.

In June, Didier Deschamps will test the team with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele against less renowned teams. As with the Spaniards, the coaching staff likely sees Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland as the main competitors in the group stage - Senegal and Norway. However, unlike their geographical neighbors, the French will play both games in front of their own fans without adapting to the North American time zone.

France's friendly matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup:

• France – Ivory Coast (June 4, 21:10, Nantes)
• France – Northern Ireland (June 8, 21:10, Lille)

England

Thomas Tuchel upset the English public with his World Cup squad, leaving out Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and several other top-level footballers. The decision seems controversial, but the logic of the staff is clear - especially since there are no doubts about the English overcoming the group stage.

The founders of football definitely cannot be considered favorites even in friendly games - the English have only won one of the last five control matches. In March, Kane and his team lost to Japan (0:1) and drew with Uruguay (1:1). Ahead are games with New Zealand and Costa Rica. The choice seems strange, but it can only be argued with over time.

England's friendly matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup:

• England – New Zealand (June 6, 22:00, Tampa, USA)
• England – Costa Rica (June 10, 22:00, Orlando, USA)

Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti has assembled a star-studded lineup in each line, even calling up Neymar, who hasn't played for the national team for almost three years. Since October, the Brazilians have been specifically preparing for the World Cup, having already played six friendly matches (three wins, one draw, two losses).

The choice for control meetings is logical. Egypt is a serious opponent of the level and style of Morocco, Panama will obviously play defensively, as will the Haitians and Scots in matches against the five-time champions.

Brazil's friendly matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup:

• Brazil – Panama (May 31, 23:30, Rio de Janeiro)
• Brazil – Egypt (June 6, 22:00, Cleveland, USA)

Argentina

The most serious opponent of the Argentinians after their triumph at the 2022 World Cup at the friendly match level was... the Ecuadorian national team. Lionel Scaloni seems to deliberately choose not the brightest marquees: over the past year, the World Cup holders have played against Venezuela, Angola, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Mauritania. The five victories over such opponents neither warm nor cold.

The preparation for the 2026 World Cup will be no exception. Argentina will again play against teams outside the top 60 of the world ranking - with Honduras and Iceland. Whether such an approach will bring a second consecutive trophy is still a mystery, but the plan looks workable, considering that the team prepared for the 2022 World Cup with the UAE, Jamaica, Estonia, and the same lucky Honduras.

Argentina's friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup:

• Argentina – Honduras (June 7, 02:00, College Station, USA)
• Argentina – Iceland (June 10, 02:30, Auburn, USA)

Portugal

The Portuguese began their preparation for the World Cup with games against two of the three tournament hosts, beating the USA (2:0) in March and drawing with Mexico (0:0). Roberto Martinez's team, unlike the Argentine national team, pleases its fans with games against more star-studded teams.

In June, Ronaldo and company will test their strength in matches against teams that could well have been on the tournament list, but ended up outside the 48 teams that will compete for the trophy - Nigeria and Chile. Both games will take place on Portuguese territory - this has already become a tradition before preparing for major international tournaments.

Portugal's friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup:

• Portugal – Chile (June 6, 19:45, Lisbon)
• Portugal – Nigeria (June 10, 21:45, Leiria)

Germany

Germany is one of the first top teams to start game preparation for the World Cup matches with a game in May. Julian Nagelsmann's team will approach the meeting with the Finns with a series of seven consecutive victories. The Germans have not lost in friendly matches for six games in a row.

The second opponent is the US team, which surprisingly has beaten the Germans twice in friendly matches over the last 15 years. However, the key game for the Germans seems to be the friendly match with the Finns, who will spend most of the match in destruction, not creation. Likely, all three of Germany's group stage opponents will act in the same way.

Germany's friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup:

• Germany - Finland (May 31, 20:45, Mainz)
• USA - Germany (June 6, 20:30, Chicago)

Netherlands

The team's preparation under Ronald Koeman will be a crucial stage. The Dutch group is balanced, and they only appear as favorites on paper. However, 14 matches without defeat in regular time should not be underestimated.

The choice of opponents for friendly matches seems accessible and understandable. Algeria is almost a complete match for Tunisia's style of play, while Uzbekistan is a team capable of confidently playing on counter-attacks (which is likely how each of their three opponents will act). An interesting fact - in the 21st century, the Netherlands have not lost in the window of friendly games before the World Cup (eight victories with four draws).

Netherlands' friendly matches before the 2026 World Cup:

• Netherlands - Algeria (June 3, 20:45, Rotterdam)
• Netherlands - Uzbekistan (June 8, 20:45, New York, USA)

Schedule of all friendly matches before the World Cup

World Cup hosts

Canada – Uzbekistan, Ireland

Mexico – Ghana, Australia, Serbia

USA – Senegal, Germany

European national teams (UEFA)

Austria – Tunisia, Guatemala

Belgium – Croatia, Tunisia

Bosnia and Herzegovina – North Macedonia, Panama

Croatia - Belgium, Slovenia

Czech Republic - Kosovo, Guatemala

England – New Zealand, Costa Rica

France - Cote d'Ivoire, Northern Ireland

Germany – Finland, USA

Netherlands – Algeria, Uzbekistan

Norway – Sweden, Morocco

Portugal – Chile, Nigeria

Scotland - Curacao, Bolivia

Spain – Iraq, Peru

Sweden - Norway, Greece

Switzerland - Jordan, Australia

Turkey – North Macedonia, Venezuela

South American national teams (CONMEBOL)

Argentina - Honduras, Iceland

Brazil - Panama, Egypt

Colombia - Costa Rica, Jordan

Ecuador - Saudi Arabia, Guatemala

Paraguay - Nicaragua

North American national teams (CONCACAF)

Curacao - Scotland, Aruba

Haiti – New Zealand, Peru

Panama - Brazil, Dominican Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Asian national teams (AFC)

Australia - Mexico, Switzerland

Japan - Iceland

Jordan - Switzerland, Colombia

Iraq - Andorra, Spain, Venezuela

Iran - Gambia

Qatar - Ireland, El Salvador

Saudi Arabia - Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Senegal

South Korea - Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador

Uzbekistan - Canada, Netherlands

African national teams (CAF)

Algeria - Netherlands

Cape Verde - Serbia, Bermuda

DR Congo - Denmark, Chile

Egypt - Russia, Brazil

Ghana - Wales

Ivory Coast - France

Morocco - Burundi, Madagascar, Norway

Senegal - USA, Saudi Arabia

South Africa - Nicaragua

Tunisia - Austria, Belgium

Oceania national team (OFC)

New Zealand - Haiti, England

The most interesting friendly matches before the World Cup

The most interest in the window for friendly matches before the World Cup will be games of top teams, as well as meetings of principal rivals in recent years. Below is a top-10 of games that will attract the attention of fans.

It includes not only matches between the participants of the 2026 World Cup, but also games of teams that did not make it to the tournament, but will play bright control matches against a serious opponent.

• Mexico - Australia (May 30)
• Poland - Ukraine (May 31)
• Norway - Sweden (June 1)
• Croatia - Belgium (June 2)
• Netherlands - Algeria (June 3)
• France - Ivory Coast (June 4)
• Portugal - Chile (June 6)
• USA - Germany (June 6)
• Brazil - Egypt (June 6)
• Greece - Italy (June 7)

Which footballers to watch in friendly matches

The most interest in the upcoming two weeks before the World Cup will be, of course, the actions of world-class stars - Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe. But particular attention will be paid to the games of the Brazilian national team, which sees the return of Neymar – a footballer who has not played for the national team for almost three years.

It will also be interesting to watch the young footballers for whom the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico will be their first serious test as a player in the main squad of their national team: Desire Doue, Joao Neves, Jude Bellingham and Pau Cubarsi.

Finally, it's worth keeping an eye on every move of the living legends for whom the preparation for the World Cup will be the last in their career – besides Ronaldo and Messi, this list includes names like Manuel Neuer, Luka Modric, N’Golo Kante.

Where to watch friendly matches before the World Cup

You can find broadcasts of national team games before the 2026 World Cup in the Friendly Games section – each match includes a live broadcast, full team statistics, trends, and game predictions.

How to properly place bets on friendly matches

Friendly matches before the World Cup are one of the most difficult betting markets. The main mistake most players make is that they evaluate these games the same way as official tournaments. In practice, the logic here is completely different.

Formally, the result is always important, but in reality, its significance is greatly limited, as before the World Cup, coaches are in tests and searches, giving playing time to reserves and minimizing the risk of injury to leaders.

What friendly matches really show

The main value of friendly games is not the score, but the context. Through such matches, you can trace form, tactics, coach's work, bench depth, and readiness of leaders. Many games should be treated as a "draft" to better prepare for betting on the 2026 World Cup matches.

Here are some recommendations from professional bettors:

• analyze the starting lineup,
• keep track of the number and timing of substitutions,
• study the structure of the game, intensity, and speed,
• pay attention to the interaction of players in a single line and across the entire field.

Why the score doesn't matter

The final result in friendly matches often misleads. A strong team dominates but loses due to dozens of substitutions, experiments in the lineup and combinations. Under such conditions, betting on the outcome of the match becomes extremely risky.

The correct logic of betting on friendly matches

A more professional approach looks like this:

• evaluate not the winner, but the style and form of the team;
• consider totals and individual indicators, not just the pure outcome;
• take into account the lineup and coach's motivation;
• analyze the level of experiments in a specific match;
• avoid overestimating favorites.

Why live bets are more important than pre-match?

Games without tournament significance definitely carry hidden value in the live format. Considering that matches will be held at night, day, and evening times, experienced bettors who use advanced analysis methods will be able to track a large number of games. And it's important to remember that during matches you can find undervalued options based on the actions of coaches and players, analysis of the situation.

Only during the game does it become clear how seriously teams take the match, what lineup they play with, whether there is high intensity and how deep the rotation will be. Before the starting whistle, the market operates almost blindly, while in live you can quickly see the true scenario of the meeting and catch odds that have not yet managed to adjust to what is happening on the field.

Follow the predictions for all international friendly games in May-June in a special section. The Scores24 editorial team takes into account not only bookmaker odds, but also context, motivation, level of resistance, and the likelihood of experiments. Study detailed predictions and recommendations from the authors to stay informed about potentially profitable bets.

*odds are given approximately, may vary in different bookmakers and are current at the time of publication