Free FIFA World Cup Picks Today for Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022

Millions around the world will be glued to their TV screens when the action heats up at the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup is regarded as the most popular event in the world, and only takes place every four years. The action so far has been gripping, and we are certain to be in store for some more excitement today!

There is so much action to be had over the Group Stage, as 32 teams fight for the chance to make it to the Round of 16. There are eight groups in total with four teams in each group, and only the top two will make it through to the next round. Which teams will put their best foot forward and make it through to the next round?

Look below to find our free soccer picks for all the games on today’s FIFA World Cup schedule!

Morocco vs Croatia – 5AM ET

It’s another early start for soccer fans as Morocco takes on Croatia at 5am on Wednesday morning. Morocco is close to the bottom of teams in the World Cup, in terms of odds to win the tournament, and their odds currently stand at +20000, while Croatia’s odds to win the whole thing currently stand at +5000. Morocco and Croatia are in Group F, and the other two teams in this group include Belgium and Canada.

Tony Battalio

Morocco comes into this game looking to grab a huge win in their opening clash of the 2022 World Cup. They have had a lot of ups and downs over the last few years and this is their chance at a correction course against a solid Croatian team. They are currently ranked 22nd in the world as of the latest FIFA world rankings and with an opening win here, they would put themselves in a great position to get through this group. 

The Croatian national team isn’t long removed from appearing in a Semi Final matchup for the World Cup. Now they will be looking to make another magical run and it all starts with this opening Group Stage game. They come into this year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup sitting at 12th in the rankings. I expect this to be a close game but in the end I have Morocco to pull the upset. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

The national team of Morocco has been in quite a turmoil in the past few years. Their best player Hakim Ziyech and a few other senior players were in a quarrel with the national team manager and refused to play for their country. Morocco decided to sack the manager, and now they are back in the team. Because of that, I am not sure what to expect of this Morocco squad in the World Cup. With Hakimi and Ziyech they have a lot of quality on the ball, and they could score a lot of goals, but has the chemistry in the team recovered? Who knows.

Croatia is coming up in Qatar as runners-up and finalist of the last World Cup. Led by Luka Modric, they are a well-respected and feared side. However, many key players of the last World Cup have moved on and now there is a period of transition in the team. This will probably be the final World Cup for the 37-year-old – Luka Modric, so the motivation of the team has never been higher. Croatia against Morocco should be a close and tactical match, and my prediction is for under 2.5 goals. 

Marko Nadin

Croatia is going into the 2022 World Cup as the runner-up from the previous edition of the tournament. Luka Modric won the Golden Ball for the best player at the 2018 World Cup and he is still the leader of the team. The feeling is that Croatia is not as good as they were in Russia and do not have that striking power like four years ago. They are in pretty good shape winning in the last five games which included games against France and Denmark. Croatia is definitely an experienced team who has been through a lot and will be patient at the start at the competition.

Morocco is also going to Qatar after a good series. They have won 4 of the last 6 games but the quality of their opponents is questionable, especially considering it has been more than three years since their last game against an European team. Hakim Ziyech is having a good season with Chelsea and will be the main danger for the Croatian goal. Achraf Hakimi from PSG will make a difference in this game with his ability to hold the ball and be efficient in every aspect of the game. Croatia is a slight favorite but even if they win, this will be a low-scoring game.

Germany vs Japan – 8AM ET

Things continue to heat up on this Wednesday, when we see Germany and Japan play each other. Germany are considered one of the top teams to win the World Cup, with odds currently standing at +1000, while Japan are in the bottom half of teams, with odds at +25000. This is a game between two teams in Group E, which also includes Spain and Costa Rica.

Tony Battalio

The Germans aren’t long removed from bringing home a title and now they will be looking to make another deep run in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Their journey in this year’s edition starts with an opening group stage game against Japan. They come into the World Cup ranked 11th in the world as they are just outside of the top 10 in the latest FIFA rankings. 

The Japanese are coming into this game fresh off of a win over the United States in a tune up game prior to the World Cup. They are currently ranked 24 in the FIFA men’s world rankings coming into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This game is likely going to be a back and forth masterclass between two solid teams and in the end I’m expecting a draw. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

Germany is World Cup royalty. They have won the tournament four times, lagging behind only Brazil. Led by the magnificent manager Hansi Flick who came to manage Germany after winning every trophy possible with Bayern Munich. Germany will play vertical, exciting soccer and should be a pleasure to watch for all the neutral fans. They’re a team with a mix of experience and young exciting players, and are easily one of the favorites to win it all. Kimmich, Gundogan, and Goretzka will dominate any midfield in the world, and they have lots of quality in the attack to make it count.

Japan has a decent team, with international players who play in the toughest leagues in the world, but the draw was tough on them. In any other group, I would have them advancing to the next round, but in a group with the European powerhouses: Germany and Spain, I can’t give them the vote of confidence. I expect Germany to take control of the game from the first minute, and suffocate the Japanese. They are a disciplined team, but they won’t be able to hold out for the entire match. Close game, but Germany wins it.

Marko Nadin

Germany is the second-best team in World Cup history but this squad is not as experienced as their former teams. However, Germany has a system that provides results and they are always a team that needs to be taken seriously. The German manager Hansi Flick is the highest paid among his colleagues at the World Cup and he definitely knows how to get the maximum out of his team. Thomas Muller is a top 10 scorer in World Cup history with 10 goals and he is efficient when his team needs him the most.

Japan is a team who fights hard during all 90 minutes and they are very good at the defensive end. In 5 of the last 6 games, Japan has kept a clean sheet and will be focused to do the same in the match against Germany. It is hard to believe that they will be capable of doing that since Germany has many players who can finish and that is exactly what will make the difference in this game. Germany will convert one of their chances and win the three points at the start.

Spain vs Costa Rica – 11AM ET

Another Group E matchup, but this time we will see Spain take on Costa Rica. Spain are considered one of the best teams in the World Cup, and their odds are currently listed at +900. While Costa Rica are at the other end of things, with their odds at +60000. The other two teams in Group E include Germany and Japan.

Tony Battalio

Spain comes into this tournament as one of potential favorites to bring home the title. However, it is still fair to say they are a long shot after most of their golden generation has left the game and moved into managerial or other roles within the football world. Spain comes into this game sitting at seventh in the world rankings. In the 2018 World Cup they made it to the Round of 16. 

Costa Rica comes into this game as a longshot to win the tournament. They are currently ranked 31st in the FIFA men’s world rankings. They will be looking to do something that no CONCACAF team has done over the first two days and grab the win. In their last World Cup appearance they finished as one of the worst three teams and they will be looking to improve. However, I think Spain gets the clear win in this game. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

The Spain national team has been on the decline for years after Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos, Puyol, and the other magnificent players who made them champions in the 2010 World Cup left. The ex-Barcelona player and manager Luis Enrique got the managerial job, and now he’s presented with a huge task at hand to create the next golden generation. Barcelona’s young phenoms – Pedri and Gavi, will play a huge part in that. Combined with Manchester City’s Rodri, this is a midfield three who is the engine of the team and gives them their identity. Spain loves to control the ball in games and create a lot of chances. They will have to find a striker or someone to spearhead their attack and score goals if they want to have a successful tournament.

Costa Rica is probably the biggest underdog in any group in this World Cup. Qualifying for the tournament is a huge achievement for the country, but the chances of advancing to the further rounds are almost non-existent. Spain will have a lot of control of the ball in this match, and Costa Rica will try to stay disciplined and defend their goal. If Spain scores an early goal, this could end up being an embarrassing result for Costa Rica. The total goals should easily be over 2.5. 

Marko Nadin

Spain is one of the favorites to win Group E and in order to do that, they will need to start strong against Costa Rica. Manager Luis Enrique made a lot of noise leaving some big names out of the roster for the 2022 World Cup and whether or not he made the right decision will be visible after this game. Spain is going to Qatar after winning 7 of the last 10 games. They are still the team that plays with a lot of passing, winning the space on the pitch and they are doing it at high speed which sets them apart from the rest of the competition. 

Costa Rica is a team that barely made it to the World Cup and now since they are here, they will try to repeat the success this team had in 2014. The fact is that this is one of the weakest teams in the competition and they couldn’t have a more difficult start. Spain has a positive record in the previous three games against Costa Rica and that trend will continue in Qatar. Spain will own the possession and win this game pretty easily.

Belgium vs Canada – 2PM ET

The final game on Wednesday will see Belgium face off against Canada. Belgium’s odds to win the World Cup currently stand at +1800, while Canada’s odds are listed at +25000, which puts them near the bottom of the pack. Belgium and Canada are in Group F, which also include Morocco and Croatia, who also play today.

Tony Battalio

Belgium comes into this one having one last ride with their golden generation and they have a solid shot at winning the whole thing. They are currently ranked as the second best team in the world according to the last FIFA rankings. In 2018 they made it to the Semi Finals and finished in third place of the World Cup. They also placed at the top of their European qualifiers group as well. 

The Canadian national team is coming into their first World Cup after nearly two decades. They are currently ranked 41st in the world according to the last FIFA men’s world rankings. They have a ton of talent on this team and they are very capable of making a deep run in this year’s edition of the tournament. I have them getting the draw in this game. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

Belgium’s golden generation is probably featuring in their last World Cup together. The squad is aging, and they would surely love to go out with a bang. Belgium has been having a tough time this year, but it’s hard to write off a team with the best midfielder in the world, Kevin De Bruyne among their ranks. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard have been struggling for the last few years and are out of form. However, international games are entirely different. If Hazard and Lukaku grow as the tournament advances, Belgian can be one of the dark horses to win it all. 

Canada comes to the World Cup having topped the North American qualifiers, beating USA and Mexico for the first spot. Canada is a well-drilled, disciplined side that is hard to break down and relies on individual quality to create chances and score. However, the hamstring injury of their best player Alphonso Davies leaves them with more questions than answers. I can see Canada finishing 2nd in this group behind Belgium, but I can also see them being at the bottom, having lost all three games. However, barring a miracle, Belgium wins this game. Canada, Croatia, and Morocco can fight it out for second place.

Marko Nadin

Belgium is going to Qatar as one of the favorites to win the title, even though many are doubting they have the quality to do so. Romelu Lukaku, who is the leading scorer in Belgium history, will miss the competition due to an injury. Most of the load will be carried by the highest-paid player in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne. He is one of the best midfielders in the world, capable of creating for his teammates and scoring on his own. Belgium also have the best goalkeeper at the moment in Thibaut Courtois and that is all they need for a good start to the competition.

Canada is making their second appearance at the World Cup and the first one since 1986. They failed to win a point or to score a goal in Mexico back then and are hoping to at least do that in Qatar. They were very successful in the qualifiers finishing on top of the CONCACAF zone. Canada has two players who play for the Belgium champion Club Brugge and that gives them hope to a certain point. However, Belgium is a powerful force and they will showcase that against Canada winning the game with at least three goals in the Canada’s net. 

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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.