World Cup Qualifying: Player Props to Spice up the Qualifiers
by Bradley Gibbs | by Bradley Gibbs
When will the next lot of World Cup qualifiers take place?
In Europe, the World Cup qualifiers continue this week, with the next round of games beginning on Thursday, October 13th. The first lot of fixtures will kick off at 12:00 EST, with more games due to begin at 14:45 EST. In total, there will be eight games kicking off on Thursday, featuring teams in Group D, Group F, Group I and Group K.
More action will follow on Friday, when six games are set to take place, featuring teams in Group A, Group G and Group L. On Saturday, the action kicks off even earlier, with three different start times, and we’ll have no fewer than ten games to enjoy. Saturday’s games will include teams from Group B, Group C, Group E, Group H and Group J.
Some of the teams from all of the groups mentioned above will then play again on Sunday and Monday, and at that point, we’ll start to get a very clear idea of who will and who won’t be heading for the US, Canada and Mexico during the summer of 2026.
It’s now time to talk about some interesting player-betting opportunities ahead of the upcoming qualifiers. If you’re interested in sinking your teeth into a few player props, then feast on your eyes below and don't forget to check out the best odds from our top sportsbooks.
Azerbaijan vs Iceland: Albert Gudmunsson to Score (+188)
I’m going to start by saying that Iceland’s game against Azerbaijan represents not only a massive chance for the men nicknamed Strákarnir okkar to pick up a much-needed three points, but is also a fabulous opportunity for the lively Albert Gudmunsson to continue positioning himself as the main man.
The Fiorentina forward didn’t feature too much during the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign, but in World Cup qualifying, he’s forced his way in and is fast-becoming the key offensive player for Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s men.
Averaging 1.12 goals per 90 minutes, the 28-year-old has notched three goals in the campaign so far, including at home to Azerbaijan, while he comes into this game in hot form having scored two in his last four in Serie A, including away to Genoa last weekend.
Against a weak home team that has so far conceded 11 goals in four games, Gudmundsson looks a likely scorer, so much so that odds of +188 should be taken.
Azerbaijan vs Iceland: Toral Bayramov to Score (+700)
In the same game, I also cannot resist a bet on home-team forward Toral Bayramov to notch at chunky odds. Sure, this is a game that the visitors should win, but the hosts do tend to offer something in the final third at home, while the Qarabag forward, who scored in the UEFA Champions League not too long ago, is certainly capable of hurting mid-level teams.
In the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, Bayramov notched twice, including against Slovakia, which tells us that he shouldn’t be written off against an Iceland team that does possess quality but that also struggles defensively.
Bayramov hasn’t scored in World Cup qualifying yet, but he has taken more shots than any other Azerbaijani player, while he arrives in form having scored at club level last time out.
Armenia vs Hungary: Dominik Szoboszlai to Score (+195)
Quite simply, at odds of +195, Dominik Szboszlai is a must-bet away to Armenia. The hosts have been awful defensively, and if the Liverpool player wants a clear and obvious opportunity to bag at least one goal, then this is it.
Szboszlai may not be the most regular scorer for Liverpool, but as the talismanic figure in his national side, the Hungarian offers a sizable offensive threat, scoring five goals in his last 12 appearances.
Hungary’s most prolific shot taker in qualifying so far, Szboszlai scored against Portugal last month, taking four shots, hitting the target with three of those. With that effort under his belt, he can do some serious damage against an Armenia defense that has shipped nine goals in four games.
Armenia vs Hungary: Eduard Spertsyan to Score (+400)
For all their defensive struggles, and there have been many, the Armenians can hurt teams at home, as the Republic of Ireland found out back in September. Eduard Spertsyan was on the scoresheet that day, and at odds of +400, I’m betting on the Krasnodar man to notch against a Hungary team that will leave space in behind.
Capable of scoring from range, and as a runner in behind, Spertsyan is also Armenia’s penalty taker, while he’ll go into this game in fine shape, scoring last time out at club level
His one goal in qualifying so far came at home, and we are talking about a player who is far from an infrequent scorer when the Armenians take to the field, notching five goals in his last seven national-team appearances.
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland: Isaac Price 1+ Shots on Target (+125)
On Friday, both Slovakia and Northern Ireland will be hoping to secure what would be a huge win in relation to qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup. As these two go at it, at odds of +125 it’s worth betting that the visiting Isaac Price tests the home keeper.
A real livewire out wide, Price has really enjoyed himself in a Northern Ireland shirt over the last couple of years, scoring four goals in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, before scoring three goals in four friendlies during 2025.
In qualifying so far, Price has one goal to his name, plus he’s Northern Ireland’s top man in terms of shots taken. A threat on the break, the youngster will also head to Slovakia off the back of registering nine shots on target in his last six games for West Brom. Ignore such a stat at your peril.
Switzerland vs Sweden: Ruben Vargas 1+ Shots on Target (+100)
Moving on to Saturday’s games and as Swiss take on Sweden in front of a home crowd, speedy winger Ruben Vargas is worth betting on to register a shot on target, especially at odds of +100, which look too juicy to turn down.
The Sevilla man has enjoyed himself at club level recently, scoring the winner against Osasuna last weekend, while he also scored against Mallorca recently. He’ll be keen to go for goal in a Switzerland shirt, which is not exactly something he often fails to do.
Vargas registered a shot on target when the pair met back in Stockholm back in October, with him hitting four shots on target in his last six games for club and country. In qualifying so far, he also averages a hefty 1.32 shots on target per 90 minutes, and with that in mind, I cannot turn down odds of +100.
