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Yes, but only through TAB NZ. Since June 2025, TAB NZ holds the exclusive licence for sports betting in New Zealand under the Racing Industry Act 2020.

When does the 2026 World Cup start in New Zealand time?

The opening match kicks off on 11 June 2026 at Estadio Azteca. For New Zealand viewers, that translates to 12 June at approximately 10:00 NZST due to the 16-hour time difference.

How does the 48-team format affect betting strategies?

The expanded format creates more group stage matches and adds the best third-place qualification route. Match-specific markets on underdogs offer better value than outright qualification bets.

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Third place is the realistic ceiling without major upsets. The opening match against Iran on 16 June represents the best opportunity for a result.

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How do I calculate potential returns on decimal odds?

Multiply your stake by the decimal odd. A $25 bet at 3.40 returns $85 total ($60 profit plus your $25 stake).

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Predict France vs Spain — The Final Before the Final

Updated July 2026

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Best attack against best defence. France, six wins from six and 16 goals scored, meet Spain, who have conceded once in the entire tournament and are unbeaten in a team-record 36 matches. It is only their second-ever World Cup meeting, and both coaches have called it "a final before the final." Kick-off is 07:00 NZST Wednesday 15 July at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Here is how we read it, with the odds, the team news and where the value sits for Kiwi punters.

France’s attack against Spain’s record defence in Dallas — the pick of the last four.

Kick-off: 07:00 NZST Wed 15 Jul, AT&T Stadium, Dallas (roof likely closed, climate-controlled).
Match odds (1X2): France 2.35, Draw 3.10, Spain 3.10 (FanDuel via CBS, 2026-07-13 19:49 ET).
The story: France favourite, but Spain have won the last two meetings — Euro 2024 SF (2–1) and 2025 Nations League SF (5–4).
Our verdict: France to advance, but a tight, low-scoring 90 minutes — we lean under 2.5 goals and the draw as value.

Step 1 — Know the Kick-Off and Conditions

France vs Spain is Semi-final 1, 07:00 NZST on Wednesday 15 July (15:00 ET, 14:00 local Tuesday in Dallas). AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof, and in mid-July Texas heat it is likely to be closed with air-conditioning — so expect climate-controlled conditions on the pitch regardless of the outdoor forecast (mostly sunny, high around 88°F, 40% rain later in the day). One less variable for a game that should be decided on quality.

Step 2 — Read the Match Odds

The freshest line has France as favourite with the draw and Spain level behind:

Selection	Odds (decimal)
France	2.35
Draw	3.10
Spain	3.10

(FanDuel via CBS Sports, as of 2026-07-13 19:49 ET; Sports Illustrated’s earlier FanDuel read had France 2.30 / X 3.20 / Spain 3.20 — the draw and Spain shortened slightly to 3.10 through the rest day, France flat.) Excluded from the table but worth knowing: the "to reach the final" two-way had France around 1.67 and Spain 2.28.

Step 3 — Check the Team News

The big swing is in France’s midfield:

France — Tchouaméni: most outlets now have Aurélien Tchouaméni back in full training and in the predicted XI after a thigh problem, though one tracker still tags him a “major doubt.” If he starts, Manu Koné drops to the bench; confirm on the teamsheet about an hour before kick-off.
France — Mbappé: available and starting. Deschamps says his captain is “100 percent” fit after an ankle knock against Morocco.
Spain — Nico Williams: available and pushing to start after a thigh/groin issue; predicted XIs disagree on whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Suspensions: none for either side — yellow-card counts were wiped after the quarter-finals.

France predicted XI (Yahoo, 14 Jul): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Dembélé, Olise; Doué, Mbappé (C). Spain predicted XI (Sports Mole): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Step 4 — Weigh the Form and History

France arrive perfect: six wins, 16 goals, and only one or two conceded all tournament (sources split on whether it is one or two). Spain arrive with the meanest defence in World Cup history — six consecutive clean sheets before Belgium finally breached them in the quarter-final, and a single goal conceded across the whole tournament.

History leans Spain, though. Across all competitions Spain lead the head-to-head 18–13–7, and crucially they have won the last two meetings that mattered: the Euro 2024 semi-final (2–1) and the 2025 Nations League semi-final (5–4). The only prior World Cup meeting was back in 2006, when France won a last-16 tie 3–1. So France have the tournament form and the favourite’s price; Spain have the recent psychological edge and the defence to frustrate.

Step 5 — Find the Value

The pick — under 2.5 goals / lean draw. Two elite defences, a Spain side that concedes almost nothing, and a France attack that can be patient — this has the shape of a tight, cagey semi rather than a shoot-out. With France 2.35 offering little cushion and Spain and the draw both at 3.10, the draw (3.10) is the value angle over 90 minutes. If you want a result play, France to advance (roughly 1.67 in the two-way “to reach final”) is the safer route than backing them to win inside 90.

Our verdict: France to reach the final, but do not expect a rout. The smart 90-minute plays are the draw at 3.10 and unders — Spain rarely let games open up, and the last time these two met at a major tournament semi, Spain won it. If you fancy an upset, Spain at 3.10 to win the 90 is a live price given their record against France.

[ ] Set an alarm: 07:00 NZST Wednesday 15 July
[ ] Wait for France’s teamsheet (~06:00 NZST) to confirm Tchouaméni
[ ] Compare France, draw and Spain prices across two books
[ ] Check whether you want the 90-minute market or the “to reach final” two-way
[ ] Confirm live decimal odds in NZD before staking

Back Your Semi-Final Pick with WinRolla

Bookmaker for this semi-final — WinRolla. WinRolla lists the full France v Spain card in NZD — 1X2, to-reach-the-final, total goals and both-teams-to-score — with decimal odds. Lock your pick before the 07:00 NZST Wednesday kick-off.