World Cup Goal Scoring Picks, Odds, Predictions for Saturday, June 20, 2026
Following the U.S. and Australia highlighting a Friday of World Cup action, Saturday brings four matches and teams that are quite capable of scoring — including Sweden, which put up five goals on Tunisia in its opener, and Germany, which impressed with seven goals after being momentarily surprised with a Curaçao equalizer before scoring six in the final 53 minutes to show what they’re capable of doing.
Netherlands and Japan, which played a thrilling opener with all four goals in the draw scoring after halftime, will also be in action on Saturday, with some of the better goalscorers who will feature on the day. Ecuador, meanwhile, has a stingy defense but an offense that was challenged to get it going against Ivory Coast; it’s possible that its match against Curaçao could be a 0-0 affair, though the gap between the two teams in world rankings suggests Ecuador will ultimately triumph.
Here are three goal scorers to keep on your radar on Saturday. Make sure to check out our World Cup match trends page for daily odds, insights, and betting data for each game.
Saturday’s Best 2026 World Cup Goal Scoring Picks
- Cody Gakpo, Netherlands
- Jamal Musiala, Germany
- Ayase Ueda, Japan
Cody Gakpo, Netherlands
Against Japan, center forward Donyell Malen was able to secure some chances in front of goal but couldn’t convert; credit Japan’s steady defense or curse bad luck. Netherlands did eventually get their goals, though not through players you’d automatically expect, despite Virgil van Dijk’s inherent star power and Crysencio Summerville’s rising star.
One thing that Netherlands showed it could do is have Cody Gakpo run at defenses, and he’s shown up for the Oranje in past tournaments, having won the 2024 Euros Golden Boot and scoring in three straight group stage games the last time his team was in the World Cup. Look for him to get a goal in what could be another back-and-forth group stage match.
Jamal Musiala, Germany
Who didn’t score against Curaçao in Germany’s first match of this World Cup? Six different Die Mannschaft players got on the scoresheet in the opener, with Jamal Musiala among them, getting his within two minutes of the restart after halftime.
Ivory Coast got a late winner against Ecuador, but there have been questions about whether striker Elye Wahi will be able to make it in to Canada to play — he’s currently under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses stemming from a yellow card he was given in a club match involving his team Nice against Metz last month.
The fallout may not impact the Ivorians at all, though it’s not optimal to have a distraction and a player possibly unavailable against what should be their toughest test of the group stage. Look for Germany to put up a few goals, and for Musiala to once again be among those celebrating.
Ayase Ueda, Japan
Like his Donyell Malen counterpart, Ueda was expected to score in the opener, and instead, it was less likely teammates who got in enough scoring for Japan to split the points against Netherlands.
Japan will have an easier opponent on Saturday, facing a Tunisia that lost its opener so decisively – 5-1 against Sweden — that its federation fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi and brought in the very handsome Hervé Renard to take over mid-tournament. It’s not even the first time Tunisia’s made this move in a tournament — they swapped out a coach two matches into the ‘98 edition — but it may be too late for any coach to help stop the downward slide. Given that landscape, expect Japan to score, with Ueda among those benefiting.
Photo Credit: AP/Karen Warren
