2026 World Cup Matchday Predictions – Round of 32

The Seleção is back in full swing! With Vinicius Junior in top form (four goals in the group stage), Brazil advanced as the winner of Group C. But beware: In a preseason match, Japan stunned the record-holding world champions 3–2 for the first time in its history. The Asian team plays with tactical discipline and is always capable of launching a counterattack. In the end, though, Ancelotti’s concentrated offensive firepower is likely to prove too much.

Prediction: 1

For the first time since winning the 2014 World Cup, Germany is back in the knockout stage of a World Cup—and a win against Paraguay should secure their spot in the Round of 16. The DFB squad won Group E with strong attacking soccer, but Paraguay will sit deep and look to counterattack. The South Americans defeated both Brazil and Argentina in qualifying. Without the injured Schlotterbeck, the defense remains a question mark, but Germany has more quality up front.

Prediction: 1

The Netherlands are heading into the Round of 32 with their heads held high: they won Group F and are unbeaten in 11 consecutive competitive matches under Koeman. But Morocco is anything but an easy opponent; the Atlas Lions drew 1-1 with Brazil in their opener and are traveling to Monterrey on the back of eight games without a loss. The Moroccan defense has been World Cup-tested for years. The Oranje have the greater individual talent, but it won’t be easy.

Prediction: 1

France stormed through Group I with three wins, ten goals scored, and only two goals conceded. Deschamps’ team is entering the knockout stage in top form. Sweden, on the other hand, advanced to the Round of 32 only as the third-place finisher in its group, suffered a lopsided 1-5 loss to the Netherlands, and displayed significant defensive weaknesses. Up front, however, the Scandinavians can also be dangerous, as their five goals against Tunisia prove.

Prediction: 1

Mexico swept through Group A without dropping a single point or conceding a single goal—three wins, nine points, and a flawless defense. At Estadio Azteca, El Tri now hosts Ecuador, which—in its final group stage match—defeated none other than group winner Germany 2–1, thereby advancing to the knockout round for only the second time in its history. The Ecuadorians are brimming with confidence, while Mexico has home-field advantage. It will be a closely contested match.

Prediction: 2

World Cup debut for the Democratic Republic of the Congo: For the first time in history, the country has advanced to the knockout stage, led by Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa, who scored three of the team’s five group-stage goals. England won Group L with seven points; Harry Kane has already scored three goals and remains England’s all-time World Cup leading scorer. The Three Lions clearly have the stronger individual talent, while the underdog has nothing to lose—but in the end, England’s individual class is likely to make the difference.

Prediction: 1

The U.S. team won Group D in commanding fashion, losing only their final match—with a changed lineup—by a narrow margin to Turkey. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever, led by veteran Edin Dzeko. The Bosnians rely on tenacity and set pieces, but the U.S. brings more pace, more class, and the support of its home crowd in Santa Clara. The U.S. is therefore the favorite for this match.

Prediction: 1

For the first time since 1982, the Austrian national team has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup, thanks to a spectacular last-minute 3-3 draw against Algeria in their final group stage match. But now they face none other than European champions Spain, who finished Group H without conceding a goal and with wins over Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0). The roles in this match are clearly defined: Austria is the underdog against the powerful Spanish team.

Prediction: 1

Cristiano Ronaldo will face Luka Modrić at BMO Field; both are over 40, yet both continue to be instrumental to their teams. Portugal finished second in Group K, with the highlight being their 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, in which Ronaldo became the first player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Croatia (second in Group L) lost 2-4 to England but fought their way through afterward. The Portuguese enter the match as favorites, but the Croatians could deliver some dangerous jabs.

Prediction: X

Murat Yakin will face his immediate predecessor, Vladimir Petkovic, who now coaches Algeria. Switzerland comfortably won Group B with 7 points, while Algeria advanced as the third-place team only after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Austria. Stars like Mahrez and Belghali are capable of scoring at any moment, but Switzerland has proven itself in knockout matches, having reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and the quarterfinals at the 2024 European Championship.

Prediction: X

Argentina cruised through Group J without dropping a single point, and Lionel Messi scored goal after goal. Cape Verde, on the other hand, is writing the ultimate tournament fairy tale: a World Cup debutant, undefeated, finishing second in Group H behind Spain, with goalkeeper Vozinha emerging as a national hero. Having conceded only two goals in three games, Cape Verde is surprisingly strong defensively, but it simply lacks the experience to match the caliber of the reigning world champions.

Prediction: 1

Colombia advanced to the knockout stage as the winner of Group K—two wins and a 0–0 draw against Portugal secured first place, without a single loss. Ghana advanced from Group L (along with England, Croatia, and Panama) as the best third-place team, having earned, among other results, a scoreless draw against England. The Colombians have more pace and individual talent—Ghana will counterattack with passion. But that likely won’t be enough to advance.

Prediction: 1