Soccer lovers have just under 3 weeks to wait for the biggest ever competition in global football to kick off. The World Cup is here and surely, the excitement is through the roof. Although there are feisty matches to anticipate, the action can only get better with friendlies between international teams.
One of those friendlies is the game between England and New Zealand, taking place at the Raymond James Stadium in Florida. This exciting match up is exactly what it is: a test between one of the competition’s favorites and the least favorites, based on rankings. Now, the match is also crucial for World Cup betting odds for 2026, simply because it exposes strengths and weaknesses before the main competition.
Three things are clear in this friendly match: England are clear favorites, the game, while a friendly, is a chance to finalize strategies and team selection ahead of the World Cup, and finally, it will help boost the confidence of the winning team. That is to say, the two countries will play friendly with some competitive spirit.
Historical facts: why is this game important?
When the Three Lions attack the All Whites on June 6 at Tampa, it will be a match for the history books. Why? Firstly, this is only the third time that both teams will play against each other; the other two matches came in 1991 during England’s tour of New Zealand! Now, that is a long time! Secondly, they have never met in a competition, just friends. Lastly, this is the first time that both countries will play against each other on neutral grounds.
But that is not all. The friendly means one of the highest-rated national teams will play the lowest-ranked team before the World Cup kicks off. So, no doubts, sportsbooks will be as eager as the players and coaches to see how their strengths match up!
England are clear favorites
Clearly, the English are out hunting their first major trophy since 1966 and there is no better opportunity to state that intent than their upcoming friendlies. The Three Lions step onto the grass at Raymond James knowing they are favorites and that the odds favor them. Now that does not mean they will see New Zealand as a walkover. Far from it.
Every football fan knows that the beautiful game is just as surprising as it is entertaining. Over the years, underdogs have staged some of the biggest upsets that made the odds. Remember when New Zealand held Italy to a 1-all draw at the 2010 World Cup and went undefeated in that tournament with a team that had a banker?
Now that the Three Lions have called up a strong squad with multiple winners and a winning coach, from England to Germany and France, the players know they need to perform strongly to get a chance. They have one of the best attacks in the competition, with top goalscorers and playmakers. That is why Thomas Tuchel will choose a strong team in the main event.
New Zealand want to build confidence
There is no other way around it for the All White; the World Cup is as difficult as it comes. The Oceanic country goes to the competition as the least-ranked globally at No. 85, far from England’s No.4 position. But if their skills are not as showy as the top-ranked guys, they more than make up for it with a tenacious spirit.
The All Whites have lost three in a row in their last five games, with a record LLLWD. Now it is clear they are not favorites but they have the ability to compress space and frustrate any team with a mid-low defensive block.
New Zealand also has an England-proven striking talisman who can decide games with few opportunities. The All Whites will need him to up their winning odds.
Sportsbooks roll out steep prices for England
It is totally logical to expect that sportsbooks expect England to win against New Zealand. The standards and quality of football between them is wide and that is why the odds of a Three Lions’ win is smaller, at around -1400 (American). The All White, on the other hand, have much higher odds at about +1800. For a draw, the odds are more modest at +750.
This step price for England reflects the general expectation for the game. Sportsbooks offer other markets, like the goal line odds for under 2.5 at -110, and over/under 3.5 at -120 and +100, respectively.
Conclusion
The celebrations are here, and in no time, the first opening games of the 2026 World Cup will take off. But first, the friendly between England’s Three Lions and New Zealand’s All Whites in Tampa will show a glimpse of what viewers can expect.