FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions: Full group stage & knockout bracket breakdown

There are not expected to be any surprises in the Germany XI for this match, with Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala set to continue as the front three. Nathaniel Brown was not involved against Ecuador last time out due to a muscular problem, but the left-back is expected to be cleared to feature from the first whistle here. This is the sort of information to consider if you are thinking of betting on the World Cup, and we have included it in our World Cup betting guide. Paraguay are through as one of the best third-placed finishers at the competition, while Germany finished at the head of Group E to secure a spot in the round of 32.

Brazil have been improving with every match, defeating Scotland and Haiti before sharing the spoils with Morocco. The Yanks sacrificed their 100% group-stage record with a 3-2 defeat to Turkey, but Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to rotate the entire s… Our predictor lets you override any forecast and compete with friends.

South Africa and Egypt also reached the knockouts for the first time, while pre-tournament hopefuls Turkiye and Uruguay both went home early. 1960Tips.com has been the trusted destination for free football predictions, expert VIP picks, and sports betting analysis since 2017. Established in the UK — serving a global audience across Africa, Asia, and beyond.

The USMNT appointed Pochettino after of a humiliating group-stage exit as Copa América hosts last year, and things did not immediately improve as the Argentine lost five of his first 10 matches at the helm. France became the sixth team to win the World Cup as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. One recurring issue in recent years has been their lack of a true centre-forward. But Memphis Depay remains a talisman for his nation, becoming their all-time leading scorer when he netted his 51st international goal in September. The Oranje’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – losing late on to England – was their best at any tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup.

Surely we can’t write off Brazil?

Given the huge gap in quality between the two teams, we predict a routine 2-0 home win. England secured top spot in Group L with victories over Panama and Croatia, while sharing the spoils with Ghana. Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions, four years on from Lionel Messi’s long-awaited crowning moment, and as the all-time great prepares for his last dance on this stage. Ronald Koeman’s side won 47.6 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Morocco progressed in 25.0 percent.

World Cup Day 10 What to Watch: Germany aims to clinch a spot in the Round of 32

Few nations in football history have possessed such an embarrassment of attacking riches. Yet there remains a nagging doubt over whether the France manager can truly maximise what he has at his disposal. He’s a winner and with the squad he’s picked, he obviously has a plan. Gareth Southgate did a fabulous job, reaching back-to-back Euros finals with England, but his in-game management was called into question as he failed to get England over the line. That is where Tuchel excels and it could prove to be the difference maker for the Three Lions. All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world.

Who Will Win the World Cup 2026?

France became the sixth team to win as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. Netherlands (3.6%) and Norway (3.5%) rank highest in terms of possible World Cup winners. The issue for both is they will first have to negotiate their way through difficult groups and, if they don’t finish top in the initial stage, that could hinder them with a tougher path to the final. Despite sitting a little below the top four nations, these sides are also contenders. If any of them capture form and momentum at the right time, they will prove tough to stop.

France 3-0 Sweden Stats: Mbappé Breaks Another World Cup Record as Deschamps’ Men Dazzle

Canada finished second behind Switzerland and chase a first men’s World Cup knockout win against South Africa in the opening tie. Six host nations have won the World Cup, most recently France in 1998. Simulating, playing Prono, and following live results are all free. Create a free account only when you want to save your bracket or join the prediction league. The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams — the largest in tournament history. Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket.

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• Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent of simulations, while the draw was given a 25.2 percent probability.
• This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
• Ahead of this week’s draw, we have taken a deep dive into the Opta supercomputer’s first set of World Cup predictions to assess who is most likely to lift the trophy.
• England’s golden generation finally has tournament experience after consecutive deep runs.
• Then, in the United States, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle will be host cities.
• France vs Morocco – Another semi-final appearance is likely to elude Morocco, with Les Bleus expected to prevail on sheer firepower.
• Norway came through the toughest group in their first World Cup since 1998, Colombia won Group K, Morocco backed up their 2022 run, and Japan again showed they can beat anyone.
• All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world.
• Right now, though, France appears to have the edge in most departments.
• The favoured teams, however, are France and Spain, with England deemed to have a strong chance as well.

Who Are the Favourites to Win the 2026 World Cup?

Furthermore, play-off spots will also feature teams from these continents too. Our site ensures you have the latest predictions for the World Cup 2026, including qualifiers, and encourages you to make smarter betting decisions with analytical research going into each and every projection we provide. But even I can not confidently say Colombia will beat France, the most impressive team of the group stage, in a final scenario.

France (+500) and England (+650) round out the top three in the 2026 World Cup odds, while Brazil (+850) are the biggest World Cup favorites outside of Europe. Outright odds for the World Cup are decided based on numerous factors and considerations from bookmakers, such as team strength, form through qualifiers, performance against big nations, among other things. Moreover, with international tournaments and matches being played so sparingly, being able to get over the line and win trophies can play a huge role in deciding the winners of major tournaments like the World Cup. While powerhouse nations like France, Argentina and Spain remain favorites, the expanded format creates more room for upsets, dark horses and unexpected runs that can completely reshape the bracket. For Lionel Messi and company, this is the start of their title defence in earnest.

And while the U.S. doesn’t have a star the caliber of those players, Christian Pulisic stands out as a player to watch on the team. He delivered a gutsy performance in shaking off an injury to help the Americans reach the knockout round at the 2022 World Cup, becoming a household name. Then, in the final round of group play, there will be six games each day, with the teams in each group kicking off at the same time. Below is a daily World Cup game schedule so you can plan accordingly. In terms of winning the tournament, USA’s chances are more remote but still respectable at 1.2%. That puts them close to Switzerland, two-time winners Uruguay and Ecuador in our overall projections.

Messi has shown no signs of slowing down, helping Inter Miami reach the Major League Soccer Cup final while contributing a staggering 35 goals and providing 21 assists in MLS action this year. There should be plenty of service for Harry Kane, who is Europe’s most in-form striker, netting 24 goals in 20 matches for Bayern Munich since the start of the season in August. But there is a competitive race for the positions behind the England skipper after Tuchel suggested Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could not both start, while Cole Palmer’s season has barely got going due to injuries. Messi (13) is one goal ahead of Mbappé, who will surely take possession of the record eventually.

• It is Argentina who go into the World Cup as defending champions after Lionel Messi helped to guide La Albiceleste to a famous triumph in Qatar towards the end of 2022.
• Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark.
• Cape Verde’s three World Cup draws are a creditable return against Spain and Uruguay in particular, and their disciplined defensive structure has been central to that.
• Neymar is no longer the first name on the team sheet but whatever squad the now 34-year-old is part of will still be lifted by his presence.
• Brazil have rebuilt impressively since their disappointing 2022 quarter-final exit, with a generation of attacking talent led by Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and the teenage prodigy Endrick.
• Germany and Paraguay meet in the knockout stage having faced each other only twice before.
• All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime.
• The 2026 World Cup is the first men’s World Cup in the United States since the 1994 tournament, and it’ll be unlike any World Cup ever played.
• The Brazilians are priced at -300 to advance to the next round, with the Japanese at +235.
• Expect a thrilling atmosphere when Canada and Morocco face each other in the World Cup last 16, with both teams dreaming of a place in the quarter-finals.

Supercomputer Predicts 2026 World Cup Winner After Group Stage Concludes

France opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal and a 3-0 win over Iraq, then sealed Group I with a 4-1 win over Norway featuring an Ousmane Dembele hat-trick. With Mbappe in his prime, their knockout ceiling is the highest of any contender. Select a team above to see its group result and Round of 32 tie. Tap a contender to see its group run and knockout path, then lock in your pick. Get 2–4 premium picks daily with odds averaging 3.05 and our loss replacement guarantee.

England’s game control and defense will be hard to beat, but scoring on bigger stages has always been iffy. Then again, Harry Kane scored freely across Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at times playing in a deeper role than usual. Group A is a difficult group, with three teams capable of advancing.

Furthermore, it can simply lead to a drop in motivation levels, especially if they face a team needing to win to earn a place in the World Cup Finals. Data-driven betting decisions always give you a better chance of placing winning bets, which demonstrates why it is so crucial which FIFA World Cup predictions that you decide to use, or opt against using. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any intriguing games in the group stage.

As Spain faced no difficulties in the group stages, we predict a routine 2-0 home win. La Roja cruised through the group stage without conceding a single goal, underlining their status as genuine title contenders. World Cup 2026 Outright – Argentina @ 4/1Argentina sit second in the World Cup 2026 outright winner market at 4/1.

Morocco asked plenty of questions of Brazil during their first game and Japan can present a similar sort of technically proficient, front-footed challenge. But this is knockout soccer, and Carlo Ancelotti will find a way. Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts missed out on top spot in Group B after defeat to Switzerland and must decamp to L.A. But they should have too much for South Africa, even if their often erratic finishing threatens to leave the game in the balance. 48 teams compete at the 2026 World Cup — expanded from 32 at Qatar 2022.

France vs. Sweden

Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar. Colombia were not even at the last World Cup but are a team to watch out for this time. They were Copa America runners-up on U.S. soil in 2024, only losing the final to Argentina in extra-time, and they also finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying. But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States. Five-time winners Brazil are the only side to qualify for every edition of the World Cup, though the Seleção cut things a little too fine this time around, finishing fifth in CONMEBOL’s qualifiers.

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accused FIFA of failing to address logistical problems facing his team at the World Cup after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt. Colombia will become just the third South American team Portugal have faced at the World Cup, following previous meetings with Brazil and Uruguay. Despite sitting a point behind Ghana in Group L, Croatia are clear favourites to claim victory, according to the Opta supercomputer. With the FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams in total, this is how teams from each continent qualify for the Finals. The tournament has three different hosts, which are Canada, Mexico, and the USA, all three of which will feature in the tournament due to hosting. Yahoo users are largely united about how the group stage will play out.

• All three teams have a chance greater than 5% of winning the tournament, and of at least 10% to reach the final.
• Canada also just make it into the top half of the 48 teams (they rank joint 22nd, level with Paraguay and Austria).
• So who will win the World Cup 2026, and which longshot could stun the soccer world?
• Moreover, with international tournaments and matches being played so sparingly, being able to get over the line and win trophies can play a huge role in deciding the winners of major tournaments like the World Cup.
• There are many nations from Africa that could have a huge impact on the 2026 World Cup, just like Morocco who managed to make it all the way to the semi-final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
• It’s not a big surprise to see leading European nations join traditional World Cup heavyweights Argentina and Brazil as the top 10 teams tipped to challenge this summer.
• Haaland struck 16 of those goals, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.
• The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
• France are the favorites to win the World Cup 2026 after a perfect group stage.
• On top of that, online bookmakers may offer special promotions and an extensive range of markets for every game at the World Cup Finals.

Belgium vs Senegal Picks, Tips, Odds & Best Bets: 2026 World Cup Round of 32

• Along with the Gold Cup run, a 5-1 win over Uruguay last time out put Pochettino’s critics on notice, and the USA should feel good about their chances of being competitive in the knockout stages.
• Ivory Coast vs Senegal – Senegal’s impressive results in recent tournaments point towards an emphatic victory in this all-African knockout tie.
• DR Congo clinched its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and with that, the nation was rewarded with England.
• He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc.
• France can power clear as Argentina’s exertions against Portugal and Brazil catch up with them, and Messi runs out of fairy-tales.
• As los Cafeteros are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in the final group game, we predict a 1-1 draw.
• But they should have too much for South Africa, even if their often erratic finishing threatens to leave the game in the balance.
• They are given a 47.8% chance of topping Group A, which also contains South Korea and Czechia.
• But even I can not confidently say Colombia will beat France, the most impressive team of the group stage, in a final scenario.
• If Norway advance through the group stage, Haaland’s clinical finishing and aerial ability make him the most likely top scorer.
• Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), while Norway are flying having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with 37 goals – the most of any team.
• Morocco, meanwhile, picked up seven points from their three games in Group C to finish second, only behind Brazil on goal difference.
• The 48-team format’s wider R32 bracket creates more upset opportunities than the 32-team era.

Make sure you stick to your research and utilise World Cup predictions when placing bets on the biggest tournament in world football. So, it’s very important to keep up with any injury setbacks for players, or checking whether players will return in time to feature at the tournament. Similarly, during the tournament you may need to keep up with suspensions, with players potentially missing matches due to an accumulation of yellow cards or a red card. Compare World Cup betting odds now with our recommended betting sites and find the latest prices for teams to win the tournament.

Team News

• They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else.
• He delivered a gutsy performance in shaking off an injury to help the Americans reach the knockout round at the 2022 World Cup, becoming a household name.
• The Yahoo Sports soccer team has its picks for Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, biggest disappointments and more right here.
• And the 38-year-old has continued to post stunning MLS numbers for Inter Miami over recent seasons as he prepares to lead his nation.
• Brobbey is expected to continue through the middle for Koeman’s team, with Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert and Crysencio Summerville set to be kept in reserve.
• The Sporting News is tracking the favourites to win and best betting offers including 50/1 for a goal to be scored in England vs. Congo and 40/1 for Harry Kane to have a shot in the match.
• Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with the pair battling to reach the final 16 of the tournament.

Along with the Gold Cup run, a 5-1 win over Uruguay last time out put Pochettino’s critics on notice, and the USA should feel good about their chances of being competitive in the knockout stages. While our model doesn’t deviate too much from the conventional wisdom, we don’t have teams in quite the same order. There are charts showing each team’s chance of winning it all, their most likely opponents at each stage, and precise odds for each game, including the likelihood of particular scores (e.g., Brazil 2-1). France are the favorites to win the World Cup 2026 after a perfect group stage. They swept Group I, the toughest group in the draw, ahead of defending champions Argentina. We are calling a France vs Argentina final, with France lifting the trophy 2-1 on July 19.

Anchored by a veteran Casemiro, who can cap off a trophy-laden career with the holy grail of international football. At the back, a Champions League final defensive duo of Gabriel and Marquinhos will be difficult to top throughout the tournament. The World Cup kicks off on June 11 – but who will lift the trophy after the final on July 19? Thomas Tuchel’s England among favourites, but Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, France, Spain, Brazil and more in the mix; Our writers make their predictions… Both sides are still chasing a place in the knockout stage, with DR Congo also seeking their first-ever World Cup victory after drawing with Portugal and narrowly losing to Colombia.

The 2026 World Cup continues with three more Round of 32 matchups on Tuesday. ET with Norway vs. Ivory Coast, followed by France vs. Sweden at 5 p.m. The action wraps up with Mexico hosting Ecuador at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and Mexico is the only team remaining in the tournament that hasn’t yet conceded a goal. The latest 2026 World Cup betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Mexico as -182 favorites to advance to the Round of 16, while Ecuador are +148 underdogs. However, SportsLine soccer expert Matt Severance is looking for a little added security by playing Mexico (tie no bet) for a -215 payout.

Our Top 5 Picks

Messi also led all players in Qatar for shots (32), chances created from open play (17) and fouls won (22), becoming the second player to top all three metrics at a single World Cup. Maradona in 1986 (30 shots, 19 open-play chances created, 53 fouls won). Southgate’s England teams were also solid at the back but rarely free-flowing. At Euro 2024, they recorded just 5.4 xG – Turkey, Austria and Switzerland were among the teams to better that tally. Tuchel’s task is simple – get international football’s nearly men over the line. He could become only the third manager to win both the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup, after Marcello Lippi (Juventus, Italy) and Del Bosque (Real Madrid, Spain).

Team News And Predicted Lineups

Paraguay will be aiming to claim yet another major scalp when they face France in the World Cup last 16. However, we predict a 3-0 away win as les Tricolores look unstoppable at the moment. Paraguay produced a disciplined display to eliminate Germany after a dramatic penalty shootout, proving once again how difficult they are to break down in knockout football. England and DR Congo will be vying for a spot in the World Cup last 16 when they lock horns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.

Morocco have never won the World Cup, but they did reach the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament, which represented their best-ever run in the competition. Of the teams in the bottom quarter of our projections, there are a few standout nations who the system thinks could spring a surprise. In a five-week knockout competition there is massive variance. Just one shock exit from a tournament favourite can cause other dominos to fall and the draw can suddenly open up for an unexpected team to challenge.

World Cup 2026 group stage

Haaland has led from the front, while Ødegaard continues to dictate play from midfield. According to Opta, Norway boasts the tournament’s highest expected goals (xG) per shot at 0.18, highlighting the quality of chances they have consistently created. The latest Brazil vs. Japan odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Brazil at -135 (risk $135 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Japan at +410 and a draw at +260.

Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent of simulations, while the draw was given a 25.2 percent probability. A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K. Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of recording their first-ever World Cup victory, while the probability of them earning a maiden World Cup point stands at 12.6 percent. Six World Cup games, knockout places on the line, Cape Verde make history and Iran wait for a place in the Round of 32. England are another nation with a strong squad, and they will be seeking to avenge their heartache in recent major competitions where they have fallen at the final hurdle or close to it. A total of 18 spots are earnt for these three different qualification processes in Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF) and Oceania (OFC).

• Ready to put your World Cup knowledge to the test this summer?
• Given the number of top-class players in Roberto Martinez’s team, our prediction leans toward a 2-1 home win.
• Semi-finalists in both 2018 and 2022, they are assigned a 1.1% chance of glory – lower than Mexico and Uruguay (1.7%), whose coach Bielsa recently went on a rant in a press conference following speculation over his position.
• A battle of the veterans as Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, both into their fifth decade, face off for the last time on the big stage.
• In addition to co-hosts Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar will also be vying for a top-two spot in this group, with all three nations seeking a maiden knockout appearance on the grandest international stage.
• France are seen as having the most difficult group of the leading teams, as they face Norway, Senegal and Iraq in Group I.
• Green has studied the 2026 World Cup draw and locked in his best bets and predictions, including his outright winner.
• (via FanDuel Sportsbook, subject to change)See full World Cup picks at SportsLine.
• Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind.
• With history on the line, I see France growing complacent, allowing Portugal to seize the moment with a historic 1–0 victory, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career with ultimate glory.
• Colombia also deserve their lofty status in our projections, as they come in the tournament off the back of a run to the final of the 2024 Copa América, having outscored all other teams at that tournament with 12 goals.
• Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of recording their first-ever World Cup victory, while the probability of them earning a maiden World Cup point stands at 12.6 percent.

We’ve lost big names like Uruguay, Scotland and Türkiye, but all the pre-tournament favorites are still alive and kicking in pursuit of glory across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The teams that can solve different tactical puzzles, manage their energy levels and thrive in hostile conditions usually find themselves going deepest into the competition. Luis de la Fuente and his squad of stars will want to change that and with Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to come in Group H this summer, reaching the knockouts is unlikely to be a problem. Spain often have a who’s who of title winners from across Europe, and this summer is no different.

However, history is unlikely to repeat itself this time around, at least for the back-to-back World Cup finalists. Tunisia’s unenviable record of failing to advance from the group stage in each of their six previous World Cup campaigns suggests they could struggle to keep pace with the rest of the pack. Football’s biggest stage returns this summer as a stacked line-up of global contenders collide in pursuit of 2026 FIFA World Cup glory. Sweden (in 1958) and Czechia (in 1934 and 1962) have both been World Cup finalists previously (the latter as Czechoslovakia) but could still miss the tournament, as could former European champions Denmark. Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia.

David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up. There are eight LaLiga winners from Barcelona – but, tellingly, none from Real Madrid. If you’re after a free-flowing side, stick to the Spains of this world. Led by Carlo Ancelotti, who gets over the line in knockout games by placing importance on defensive shape but allowing individual quality to shine through. The Opta supercomputer gives DR Congo the edge, with the Leopards winning 48.9 percent of its 25,000 pre-match simulations.

The likes of Vinicius Jr and Raphinha will be looking forward to leaving a mark on a World Cup in a way they haven’t before. Neymar is no longer the first name on the team sheet but whatever squad the now 34-year-old is part of will still be lifted by his presence. The trend continues a shift away from the traditional black-and-white football boot, following the colourful designs that first gained popularity at the 1998 World Cup. The comments came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran https://worldcup2026sea.com//forecasts-group/ and the US following recent military attacks and a fragile ceasefire. Taremi urged FIFA to resolve the issues, saying the governing body had failed to provide the support promised before the tournament.

Here’s the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. It will be Mexico next in the Azteca if England beat DR Congo, while France are shorter than 2/1 to win the tournament with many UK bookmakers after crushing Sweden. Germany’s recent World Cup campaigns have fallen short since their 2014 triumph. While they showed promise at UEFA EURO 2024, France enter with superior depth and balance. Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through.

La Roja swept all before them, winning six of their seven matches inside 90 minutes and only requiring extra-time to eliminate hosts Germany in the quarter-final. They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest tournament in football history. For the first time, 48 nations compete across 104 matches spread over 39 days in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June 2026 to the Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on 19 July 2026, this page is your complete prediction hub. France lead our World Cup 2026 predictions after winning the toughest group in the tournament, and we are calling a France vs Argentina final on July 19, a rematch of the 2022 showpiece.

BMO Field will be packed when Portugal and Croatia go head to head in the World Cup last 32. Given the number of top-class players in Roberto Martinez’s team, our prediction leans toward a 2-1 home win. Portugal had an inconsistent group campaign, crushing Uzbekistan 5-0 but being held to draws by both DR Congo and Colombia. Les Éléphants have reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group E behind Germany on goal difference. Emerse Faé’s side has impressed with its energy, athleticism and attacking balance, and now has the chance to script another memorable chapter.

Tuesday’s tie, however, will be their first knockout match against an African nation. Looking beyond this match, Germany have a 78.6 percent chance of reaching the round of 16 and a 4.4 percent probability of winning the World Cup. Brazil won 57.3 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Japan were victorious in 19.7 percent. The remaining 23.0 percent of simulations ended level after 90 minutes, meaning the tie would be decided in extra time or a penalty shootout.

Mexico vs South Africa Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets

Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +1000 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962. Meanwhile, the USMNT are +6000 longshots to win on home soil, with co-host Mexico also at +6000 and Canada longshots at +17500. Before making any 2026 World Cup picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Green has to say. He just scores goals – 61 of them to be precise this season – and this summer he looks to be heading into the tournament in peak physical condition. He finally has that winning feeling at Bayern and maybe, just maybe, he’s ready to fire England to glory too. The Opta supercomputer gave the reigning world champions a 77.9 percent chance of victory across 25,000 pre-match simulations.

Switzerland enjoyed a solid group campaign, beating Bosnia and Canada while drawing 1-1 with Qatar in a match they arguably deserved more from. Group-by-group odds, knockout stage forecasts, and tapados watch — all powered by FIFA rankings, ELO ratings, and past tournament performance. Stephen Eustaquio’s late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the co-hosts, with head coach Jesse Marsch telling his players they had become “Canadian heroes” and inspired the next generation of footballers. Canada reached the men’s World Cup last 16 for the first time after a dramatic stoppage-time victory over South Africa, marking the nation’s first knockout win at the tournament. Historically, the Netherlands have enjoyed a strong record against African opposition at the World Cup. They are unbeaten in six such matches, scoring at least twice in each of their victories.

• Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on topping Group E after surrendering a lead against Germany, but their overall performances have underlined why they are being tipped as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
• Gustavo Alfaro’s team will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Australia, while their one success this summer was a 1-0 victory over Turkey.
• Teams with statistically underrated odds given their ELO momentum and recent tournament form.
• The last time that happened, between Argentina and West Germany in 1990, the European nation gained its revenge.
• Two of the most talented squads, if not the top two, meet in the tournament semi-final.
• Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament.
• The 2026 World Cup continues with three more Round of 32 matchups on Tuesday.
• Argentina are right behind them, on the opposite side of the bracket.
• Their previous tournament encounter came in the 1994 group stage, when the Dutch claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy.

As reigning champions with Messi in this sort of form and a full squad at Scaloni’s disposal, they remain a serious title contender. This Round of 32 tie should not test them, and a straightforward progression keeps them well-positioned in the World Cup 2026 bracket for the knockout rounds ahead. Cape Verde’s three World Cup draws are a creditable return against Spain and Uruguay in particular, and their disciplined defensive structure has been central to that. Their friendly results tell a more mixed story, with a heavy defeat to Bermuda sandwiched around a comfortable win over Serbia. The group-stage achievements are genuine, but their attacking output of two goals in three competitive matches underlines the challenge ahead.

• As both sides are likely to adopt a cautious approach, we predict a 1-1 draw.
• As the two teams seem to be evenly matched ahead of this round 32 clash, our prediction leans toward a 1-1 draw.
• While our model doesn’t deviate too much from the conventional wisdom, we don’t have teams in quite the same order.
• But a rampant 5-0 victory in Serbia in September showcased the Three Lions’ potential, and the emergence of Elliot Anderson seems to have finally ended their search for a central midfield partner for Declan Rice.
• Our World Cup 2026 betting guide has all of the latest information on the match.
• Check out the FIFA World Cup predictions with SoccerVista through this page and choose your next bet for the biggest international tournament in the sport.
• Portugal are slight favourites according to the Opta supercomputer, winning 51.6 percent of its 25,000 pre-match simulations.
• Tunisia’s unenviable record of failing to advance from the group stage in each of their six previous World Cup campaigns suggests they could struggle to keep pace with the rest of the pack.
• Many members of the Red Devils’ ‘Golden Generation’ remain in the fold, even if the years are starting to catch up with them.
• With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again.
• I’m taking a risk on Jordan to claim a knockout place and Algeria edging out Austria in an upset as one of the top third-place teams to advance to the Round of 32.

Sparkles will be flying when USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina square off in the World Cup last 32 at Levi’s Stadium. As USA have been producing excellent performances in front of home fans, our prediction points toward a 2-1 home win. Here’s exactly how we compute championship odds, group probabilities, and knockout forecasts. The 2026 knockout format starts with Round of 32 — a new round created by the 48-team expansion. 8 third-placed teams join the 24 automatic qualifiers (1st + 2nd from each of 12 groups), making the R32 path unprecedented. FIFA Annex C determines R32 pairings based on which groups the third-placed teams come from.

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As for Paraguay, Diego Gomez will miss the match through suspension, having picked up a second yellow card of the tournament against Australia last time out. The White and Reds picked up four points from their three Group D matches to finish third, only behind second-placed Australia on goal difference. Die Mannschaft actually locked horns with Paraguay in the last-16 stage of the 2002 World Cup, recording a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late effort from Oliver Neuville. Germany are four-time world champions, but they were knocked out in the group stage of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Their route to this World Cup was not completely smooth, either, as they were left needing victory over Slovakia in their final Group A game to avoid the play-offs. But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals. Germany are the supercomputer’s fifth favourites with a 7.1% chance of winning a record-equalling fifth World Cup. The only one other team assigned more than a one-in-10 chance of becoming world champions is England, who are out to end 60 years of hurt at major tournaments. With a 14.1% chance, France are the supercomputer’s second favourites, just behind Spain, who beat them 5-4 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in June. Ahead of this week’s draw, we have taken a deep dive into the Opta supercomputer’s first set of World Cup predictions to assess who is most likely to lift the trophy.

With William Pacho and Moises Caicedo forming the spine of the team, they have the foundations required to frustrate even the elite nations. They conceded just eight goals across their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches, shutting out both Brazil and Argentina along the way. Pink boots have also become one of the biggest trends at the tournament.

Canada also just make it into the top half of the 48 teams (they rank joint 22nd, level with Paraguay and Austria). They are more likely than not (52.0%) to get as far as the last 16 and have a healthy 24.2% chance of making the last eight. There are two other potentially pivotal group clashes to circle on your calendar by the time we reach MD3, as France take on Norway in Foxborough on 26 June, while Colombia battle Portugal in Miami a day later. They won’t have the same surprise factor this time around but still made it to what proved to be a chaotic AFCON final this year and started the month of June sitting a lofty eighth in the FIFA world rankings. Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Colombia and Morocco should all realistically target a long run and are dark horses to go the distance. Germany are overdue a strong result, and the supercomputer gives them a decent chance of achieving that, as they were finalists in 10.6% of sims.

Belgium vs. Senegal

Build your bracket, play the prediction league, and follow every match — all in one place. Gillette Stadium will host an intriguing World Cup last-32 clash between Germany and Paraguay. As Germany are eager to make amends for a shocking 2-1 loss to Ecuador, we predict a 2-1 home win. Germany failed to impress in their final group match, but with qualification already secured, the result had little significance. Expect a thrilling atmosphere at Estadio Banorte (Azteca) in Mexico City when Mexico and Ecuador square off in the World Cup last 32.