With the 2026 FIFA World Cup a little over two months away, there are just four spots up for grabs for UEFA members. Thursday evening has the first round of fixtures that whittle 16 teams down to eight in a single-game knockout, with the winners advancing to Tuesday’s final qualifiers.
Wales are bidding to make back-to-back World Cup qualifications for the first time in their history with a tricky game at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Republic of Ireland also have their hands full as they travel to the Czech Republic, and Northern Ireland will have to overcome all the odds as they head to four-time winners Italy.
UEFA World Cup Qualifying Acca Tips
BetMGM, one of the best betting sites, are paying out at odds of 5.8/1 for our three-fold. That’s £8 more per £10 wagered than if you were to place the same bet with bet365.
| Game | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Italy vs Northern Ireland | Italy to win by 2+ goals | 4/5 |
| Czech Republic vs Ireland | Troy Parrott 1+ shot on target | 4/5 |
| Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | Harry Wilson to Score or Assist | 27/25 |
| Total Odds | 5.8/1 |
*Odds correct at 11:00 GMT on 24/03/2026. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
Bet 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland – Italy to Win by 2+ Goals
It doesn’t get much tougher than having to beat Italy in Italy for Northern Ireland. Michael O’Neil’s side can take great pride from their qualifying campaign, winning three of their six games to at least get themselves into the mix, but if there was one team that they would have wanted to avoid, it would have been Gli Azzuri.
They’ve not beaten them since 1958, and in the seven meetings since 1961, haven’t even scored a goal. And goals have continued to be an issue, with just seven in six throughout the qualifying campaign.
Italy have played better than the results suggest. They’ve scored 21 times in eight games and have had constant threats from the likes of Francesco Pio Esposito, scoring three in five, and Mateo Retegui, who has notched 15 times in 25 league games this season for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.
We’re getting just shy of even money (4/5) for Italy to win by two or more, and that looks to be where the value lies, unfortunately for Northern Ireland.
Bet 2: Czech Republic vs Ireland – Troy Parrott 1+ Shot on Target
Troy Parrot’s rise within the international ranks has been one of the highlights for Ireland over the last 12 months. He’s scored five goals in four World Cup qualifiers this campaign and is the second-highest-rated player on FotMob behind goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The forwards had a great season domestically as well, with 33 goals total across the Eredivisie, Conference League and KNVB Beker. He’s overtaken Evan Ferguson in the pecking order, and we’re backing him to get a shot on target in a tough fixture against the Czech Republic.
Interestingly, Parrot has already scored in Prague this season for AZ against Sparta Praha, which could be a good omen for this bet. Odds of 4/5 aren’t huge by any means, but if Ireland are to progress, and they have every chance on Thursday, Parrott will be at the focal point of their attacks, so there’s just enough meat on the bone to get excited.
Bet 3: Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina – Harry Wilson to Score or Assist
Out of three home nations, Wales have the best chance of progressing to the final knockout round as they welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Cardiff City Stadium – why they aren’t taking advantage of the Principality Stadium for such a crucial game is anyone’s guess?
Craig Bellamy’s side were so close to taking top spot and automatic qualification, but realistically, if you’d offered them to be here at the start, they’d have probably taken it.
Harry Wilson has been a standout player for Bellamy. The wide-forward has been electric for both club and country, with 16 goals and assists in 29 appearances for Fulham in the Premier League so far. He’ll have a lot of suitors over the summer, given his impressive form.
He’s in red-hot form for Wales, with five goals and two assists in his last five matches, including a hat-trick last time out against Macedonia. With Kieffer Moore still sidelined through injury, he will have to take the attacking mantle to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and we’re backing him to score or assist at generous odds of 27/25.
