Ronaldo Out: World Cup Friendlies Weather Best Bets | Weather.com
Search
Advertisement

Sports and Recreation

FIFA's international break brings crucial World Cup tuneups this weekend as Canada faces Iceland in Toronto, Team USA battles Belgium in Atlanta, and Mexico hosts Portugal in Mexico City. Perfect weather conditions across all three matches mean the games will be decided purely by talent on the pitch

ByToby Adeyemi
just nowUpdated: March 28, 2026, 8:35 am EDTPublished: March 28, 2026, 8:35 am EDT


Lock In These World Cup Friendly Bets Now

The FIFA World Cup is around the corner, and you can literally feel it in the air. Rosters are getting finalized for the biggest event in the world, and this weekend will have a lot of say in that. Many of the leagues, including the English Premier League, are on pause for FIFA’s international break, as many players are away from their club teams to play for their country. This weekend will be one of the final tune-ups before World Cup action, so of course, we’ve got some international friendly picks for you all!

Not many sports can say they play regardless of the weather, whether it be rain, sleet, shine, or snow. Soccer doesn’t let the conditions stop the game, and luckily, this weekend, there's fantastic weather across all three of our games on Saturday. The weather won’t have much impact, so these games will be decided by the form of the men on the pitch.

Toronto vs. Iceland - 1 PM

We kick it off with my home nation, Canada, taking on Iceland. I see Canada walking away with the victory, and no, I’m not being a homer, they are just that much better than Iceland. The moneyline won’t net you anything here, so my first pick will be Iceland to score 0 goals (+100). Canada is riding a 4-game unbeaten streak, and hasn’t allowed a goal in each of those games, so expect them to shut out Iceland. Canada doesn’t concede many, but on the opposite side, they struggle to score as well. If you want some bang for your buck, I would take the exact score of Canada 1-0 (+450).

canada_player_16x9.jpg

Alphonso Davies of Canada looks on during the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match between United States and Canada at SoFi Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

(Photo by Alexis Quiroz/Jam Media/Getty Images)

USA vs. Belgium - 3:30 PM

On to the nation I now call home, Team USA, will take on Belgium, right here in Atlanta, Georgia. The two teams will clash in the Mercedes-Benz Dome, so whether the roof is open or not, field conditions will be perfect. Belgium is on fire. Since new head coach Rudi Garcia took over in January 2025, they’ve lost just once, and during this UEFA qualifying run, they’ve scored a blistering 29 goals. Team USA has found its groove lately, but I believe this Belgium attack will be too much for them to handle, especially with star defender Tyler Adams still out with a knee injury. Take Belgium moneyline (+130). I see this being a high-scoring affair, well, the highest out of these three games, so take Folarin Balogun (+200) to score for Team USA. Multiple players will score for Belgium, and I believe one of them will be Kevin De Bruyne (+270).

usa_press_16x9_0.jpg

Folarin Balogun of team United States speaks with the media during a mix zone before an international friendly match against Belgium at Atlanta United FC Training Ground on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Mexico vs. Portugal - 9 PM

The nightcap of this splendid day of soccer will be Mexico vs Portugal. This game will be the first in Mexico City’s newly renovated stadium as well. This game was highly anticipated for another reason as well: Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately, he will not be able to see the pitch due to injury, which is a heartbreaker for Mexican fans. But for Portugal? No Ronaldo, no problem. Take Portugal moneyline (-105), they have never lost to Mexico, and it won’t start today. For the final bet of the day: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals (+120). Mexico consistently finds the net against Portugal, and I believe they’ll do it again here, even if it comes in a losing effort.

All odds are provided by DraftKings

soccer_16x9.jpg

Portugal's forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo (C) trains with teammates in Florham Park, New Jersey. The team will be training at the New York Jets training facility during a stop on their way to the World Cup in Brazil. AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY

(Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)

weather.com content writer Toby Adeyemi bridges the gap between trends and culture, a skill he's honed over years at Yahoo Sports, EBONY, and Essence. Toby's built a career finding where sports, music, and culture intersect, and now he's bringing that same lens to weather, exploring how atmospheric events shape the moments, communities, and conversations that matter most.

Loading comments...

Advertisement