Five wins from five across all competitions, with ten goals scored and just one conceded in that run. Three of those victories came in competitive World Cup fixtures against varied opposition, and the only goal shipped was against Jordan in a dead-rubber group finale. Argentina are in clinical form and showing no signs of complacency heading into the knockout rounds.
Ronaldo and his great rival Messi will make history this summer when they appear, becoming the first players to participate in six separate World Cups. 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.
Germany vs. Paraguay
It was Spain’s victory over England in the Euro 2024 final that heralded the end of Gareth Southgate’s time leading the Three Lions, ushering in Thomas Tuchel’s reign. Germany are given a 54.7 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes, while Paraguay’s chances stand at 23.1 percent. The remaining 22.3 percent of simulations ended level after normal time, sending the tie to extra time and possibly penalties. Scorer Market – Lautaro Martinez to Score AnytimeLautaro Martinez has scored once in the tournament and registered five goals across Argentina’s last five matches in all competitions. With Messi drawing defensive attention and Julian Alvarez providing the running, Martinez is regularly afforded space inside the area and is one of the most reliable penalty-box finishers in this Argentina squad. He is worth including in any anytime scorer selections at the best available price.
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Prediction
- Brazil vs Senegal – There’s little doubt that Senegal possess the quality and confidence to push this tie into extra time.
- As Uzbekistan have been struggling defensively at the 2026 World Cup finals, we predict a 1-0 home win.
- Canada also just make it into the top half of the 48 teams (they rank joint 22nd, level with Paraguay and Austria).
- Brazil won Group C to advance to the knockout round, while Japan were runners-up in Group F. Both squads were undefeated in the 2026 World Cup group stage, with Brazil having 7 points, while the Japanese notched 5 points.
- Germany are rebuilding under fresh management and remain ever-dangerous.
- Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar.
- 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.
- As the round of 32 prepares to get underway on Sunday, the cogs of the Opta supercomputer have been whirring to rate every team’s chances of glory.
- Dive deeper into the tournament with our guides, analysis, and complete team profiles.
- Colombia were not even at the last World Cup but are a team to watch out for this time.
Both sides arrived at this summer’s tournament expecting to reach the later stages and the supercomputer does not predict any early obstacles. They also won last summer’s Nations League, getting the better of both Germany and Spain in the semi-finals and finals, with largely the same group of players. France will naturally sit near the top of most betting markets but they are easier to oppose than the odds suggest.
Spain vs Austria Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News & Tactical Analysis 2026 World Cup Round of 32
Compare World Cup betting odds now with our recommended betting sites and find the latest prices for teams to win the tournament. Three teams earn qualification for the FIFA World Cup, and two will bank their spots in the play-off tournament, with Canada, Mexico and the USA automatically entering due to being hosts. With so much on the line in each and every game with players playing for pride and their nation, it means there are various different betting angles to target.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions – Betting Insights & Tips
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. For Cape Verde and manager Rui Aguas, simply reaching this stage has already rewritten what is possible for African football’s smaller nations, and anything further would be a genuine shock to the tournament bracket. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 nations and the first hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format introduces 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage, making it the biggest World Cup in history with 104 total matches played across 16 iconic venues. DR Congo head into their final Group K match against Uzbekistan knowing that a win should be enough to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stages.
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.
Switzerland vs. Colombia
Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32. Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.
World Cup Day 10 What to Watch: Germany aims to clinch a spot in the Round of 32
The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format used from 1998 through 2022. This change significantly alters both the group stage and the knockout bracket. On this page you can view World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions. Statistical data, team form, and recent match history are taken into account, and predictions are automatically generated by AI with an accuracy of over 71.9%.
Colombia remain a threat thanks to Luis Diaz playing some of the best football of his career. Congo DR and Uzbekistan are unlikely to factor heavily, making this a high‑stakes, two‑team race. 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. Spain vs England – A repeat of the 2024 Euro final may produce the same heartbreaking outcome for the 1966 World Cup winners.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated football events and commands enormous betting interest from players. Played every four years, teams battle it out for the Jules Rimet trophy and to have their name etched in history as World Cup winners. They are in an evenly matched pool, and while seen as the least likely team to win Group D, they still have a decent 17.9% hope of topping the table. The Socceroos are more likely than not to progress to the knockouts (59.2%) and have a 26.3% chance of reaching the last 16 to match their best-ever performance. All three teams have a chance greater than 5% of winning the tournament, and of at least 10% to reach the final.
Goals Market – Over 3 Goals @ 6/5The totals line sits at 3, with over available at 6/5 and under at 4/5. Argentina scored at least three goals in each of their three group games, and Cape Verde’s forward line managed only two goals across theirs. The most likely route to over 3 is Argentina scoring freely rather than a high-scoring exchange, and Scaloni’s side have the firepower to deliver that in a knockout tie against a side with limited attacking threat. Main Pick – Argentina to Win @ 1/6Argentina have won all five of their recent matches and scored nine goals in three World Cup group fixtures. Cape Verde’s resilient defensive record is notable but was built against opposition that did not carry the same individual quality Argentina bring.
- 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.
- France appear primed for another title push, led by the world’s top goal scorer Kylian Mbappe and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
- None of the South American powerhouses have been overly convincing in recent times, but you’d have to guess that if the winner were to come from outside Europe, Argentina and Brazil would be favourites.
- Netherlands could meet a Germany or a France in the final eight, and their performances thus far have suggested that a potential challenge for the trophy is possible.
- Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run.
- Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup.
- Group-by-group odds, knockout stage forecasts, and tapados watch — all powered by FIFA rankings, ELO ratings, and past tournament performance.
- 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One is a new free-to-play Yahoo Fantasy game where fans make picks each round, earn points and climb the leaderboard.
- Messi (13) is one goal ahead of Mbappé, who will surely take possession of the record eventually.
- Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket.
- 1960Tips.com has been the trusted destination for free football predictions, expert VIP picks, and sports betting analysis since 2017.
- The first 48–team field in World Cup history has been filed down to 32 for the knockout stages.
- We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases.
The first U.S. game is the following day, as the Americans will host Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title. 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. Germany were impressive in their opening two matches of the 2026 World Cup against Curacao and Ivory Coast, scoring nine times in two successes, and those six points saw them secure a spot in the round of 32 with a game to spare. 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.
Norway, meanwhile, is making its first World Cup appearance since France 1998 and has looked every bit like a dangerous dark horse. Both nations are chasing a place in the last 16, but only one will keep their World Cup dream alive. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site. Leading the way is France with a chance of 18.66%, putting Les Bleus marginally ahead of Argentina’s 16.26%.
Brazil vs. Mexico
France beat Sweden 3-0 in a match that the model thought could get really out of hand, and it did. They’ve been excellent in this tournament, and Sweden’s attack-oriented mindset is generally a less effective strategy for pulling off an upset than Paraguay’s more defensive stance. Indeed, because Paraguay beat Germany on penalties yesterday, France will now face them in the R16. Norway, Morocco, Colombia and Japan are the dark horses, and all four reached the Round of 32.
He was in the squad that swept all before them to win Euro 2024 in such impressive style just two summers ago. That is helpful to coach Luis de la Fuente given there are doubts over the fitness of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal for their initial games as he recovers from a hamstring injury. 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.
Canada vs Morocco Prediction
- Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández give them genuine quality even without Messi at his peak.
- Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario.
- 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.
- But the likes of Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez have kicked on in the last two years, and any team which has Messi has a chance of going all the way – a creditable 8.7% chance, according to the supercomputer.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams and they are split into 12 different groups, with winners, runners up, and even some third placed teams qualifying into the knockout rounds of the Finals.
- With Mbappe in his prime, their knockout ceiling is the highest of any contender.
- Mexico, who will play South Africa in the opening game at Estadio Azteca, also fare reasonably well in our sims.
- Debutants Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of two-time champions Uruguay, who were eliminated.
- Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat.
- In the time since, he has worked for a wide range of well-known publications including the Evening Standard, FourFourTwo, Football365, GOAL and TNT Sports.
- Portugal, who arrive in the US, Canada and Mexico ranked fifth in the world and fourth favourites for the tournament, are in a favourable-looking Group K alongside the likes of Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
- As such a wide range of countries with very different World Cup histories fight it out, the 23rd edition may well prove to be the most compelling.
- 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.
A complete Python pipeline for predicting match outcomes, generatingexpected goals, and running Monte Carlo tournament simulations.Built for YouTube creators who want AI-powered soccer analysis. Behind the top three, a cluster of European nations all carry realistic hopes. England’s golden generation finally has tournament experience after consecutive deep runs. Spain’s young core, led by Lamine Yamal and Pedri, looked devastating en route to Euro 2024.
Here are Paul Carr’s power rankings of all 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, separated into five distinct tiers. 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. We have mapped out the full World Cup picture, from the group-stage battles through to the knockout phase, outlining how the tournament could unfold from start to finish. 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.
Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun have had moments at the club level, but that’s never been extended to the national team. Argentina, meanwhile, remain built for high-pressure knockout matches and possess an edge in composure and quality. Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario. They’ve consistently found ways to advance deep into tournaments, and that experience matters. England’s talent makes them a serious contender, but I’m backing Croatia to finish first based on their recent World Cup success under Luka Modric.
FAQ About World Cup 2026 Predictions
All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime. Julian Nagelsmann’s side were beaten in the quarter-finals on home soil at Euro 2024, marking the first time Germany have appeared at four major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) in a row without reaching a semi-final at any of them. 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.
World Cup 2026: Guardian writers’ predictions for the tournament
World Cup 2026 Outright – Argentina @ 4/1Argentina sit second in the World Cup 2026 outright winner market at 4/1. As reigning champions with Messi in this sort of form and a full squad at Scaloni’s disposal, they remain a serious title https://worldcup2026sea.com 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.
World Cup 2026 final prediction
If previous World Cups are anything to go by, shocks and surprises should be a given, so all those teams will still be dreaming of a deep run. They must get past Northern Ireland and potentially Wales to make it, with both of those sides hoping to join fellow home nations England and Scotland. Inspirational Croatia captain Luka Modrić is hoping to appear at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, and no team will want to see Croatia drawn into their group from Pot 2. The Netherlands may lack the star power of the other main favourites and are slipping under the radar with many, but the supercomputer thinks they are worthy of consideration. Then, in Germany, Ronaldo broke down in tears after seeing a penalty saved in Portugal’s last-16 tie against Slovenia, which they eventually won on spot-kicks. 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.
As Uzbekistan have been struggling defensively at the 2026 World Cup finals, we predict a 1-0 home win. The Leopards, meanwhile, have produced encouraging displays so far, drawing 1-1 with Portugal before suffering a narrow 1… A true David vs Goliath clash awaits as already-eliminated Jordan take on tournament favourites Argentina in their final Group J fixture, with 0-3 our predicted outcome. While Jordan are playing only for pride, Argentina will be looking to maintain their perfect record and head into the knockout stages with maximum confidence. Arrowhead Stadium will host a compelling World Cup last-32 clash between Colombia and Ghana, with both sides arriving after contrasting group-stage performances. Los Cafeteros come into the knockout stage unbeaten in their last group games, beating Uzbekistan and DR Congo while drawing 0-0 with Portugal, a match in which they produced 24 shots on goal.
Deschamps’ reign has comprised 175 games, so if they reach the first knockout round, he will have overseen 100 games more than France’s next-longest serving boss (Raymond Domenech, 79). Yamal created the most chances at the tournament, with 19, while only teammate Nico Williams (2.1) had more expected assists (xA) than his 2.0. Six of the teams appearing at the tournament are still to be decided, with four qualifying via the UEFA play-offs and another two via the inter-confederation playoffs. On 5 December, allowing fans of all nations to start plotting their routes to a possible coronation at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
The trio are closely matched and have regularly traded ranking positions leading up to the summer. This knockout matchup is a close one, but Morocco hold the edge. Their continued success on the international stage has carried momentum into this tournament, supported by a young and exciting group of players. Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation. Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest. This season, 51% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 52% of games.
Czechia holds a narrow edge thanks to their combination of veterans like Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick, as well as somewhat newcomers in Ladislav Krejci and Pavel Sulc. Mexico’s consistency makes them a reliable choice, as well as playing at home, while South Korea’s speed can be dangerous on the counterattack. South Africa faces the steepest challenge in this group and seems unlikely to get past their first three games.
The same cannot be said of Norway and their rested and refreshed talisman Erling Haaland. Get expert predictions for every match, updated daily throughout the tournament. They face Ghana and could reach the quarterfinals without meeting a top seed. Debutants Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of two-time champions Uruguay, who went home. South Africa and Egypt both reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, while Turkiye finished bottom of Group D. All 72 group stage matches covered with win probability data, banker tips, accumulator strategy, and African kick-off times.
The Opta supercomputer makes Germany the clear favourites to progress. Brazil have dominated this fixture over the years, winning 11 of their 14 previous meetings with Japan and losing only once. If you’re looking for a simple way to watch the World Cup in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, Xfinity makes it easy to follow the World Cup and stay connected to global soccer year‑round.
Belgium vs Senegal Picks, Tips, Odds & Best Bets: 2026 World Cup Round of 32
The top spot could come down to goal difference, with both teams likely taking advantage of Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia remain the wildcard, but I’m sticking with the two heavyweights to advance. The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces the most dramatic format change in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams and creating a brand-new bracket structure that reshapes how every round unfolds. With more nations, an added knockout round, and third-place teams advancing, predicting the full tournament path is more complex, and more intriguing, than ever. Our free AI tip for Belgium vs Senegal — home team wins or draw, with 89% confidence.
With nations playing so infrequently, head-to-head results can have a much larger impact than it does for club teams. It can be important to look at historical matchups like England vs Germany for example, and where the results over the years may indicate which team might win the upcoming game. Perhaps none has had more recent success on the international stage as France’s Didier Deschamps. He’s guided Les Bleus to two consecutive finals in FIFA’s quadrennial tournament, winning it all in 2018 and coming up heartbreakingly short four years ago in a penalty-shootout loss to Argentina.
How far will England and Scotland get?
When the smart-money crowd converges on a Top 4, history suggests a team NOT in that group wins the tournament about 25% of the time. Watch Portugal, Germany, and Netherlands as potential disruptors. Top 5 (Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil) most likely to reach this stage. Historical data suggests 5 of 8 QF teams will be from Europe + South America. Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally). Below you’ll find our expert tips for the World Cup across the most popular football betting markets, including Match Result, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), Over/Under 2.5 Goals, Total Goals, and Correct Score.
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. 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. European teams face off in group stages to earn qualification from the World Cup, in what is considered to be the most competitive qualification process of them all. 16 teams qualify in total from the UEFA qualifiers, with 54 teams split into 12 groups. The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Finals, whilst a 16-team play-off competition then decides the final four spots.
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. It is 24 years since Brazil last prevailed and only once before have they endured a drought of that length since first winning in 1958, which was between 1970 and 1994.
Germany and Paraguay meet in the knockout stage having faced each other only twice before. The Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup is upon us, and there are some brilliant games coming up in the first knockout round at the tournament. The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues with a fascinating Round of 32 encounter as Ivory Coast take on Norway at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. At Juve FC, Luca covers match analysis, squad news, and the longer threads that run through a Juventus season.
A German Mathematician Has Correctly Predicted The Last 3 World Cup Winners, And His 2026 Pick Has The Internet Divided
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 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.
- Senegal remain a dangerous dark horse, while Norway and Erling Haaland could disrupt the group.
- Arrowhead Stadium will host a compelling World Cup last-32 clash between Colombia and Ghana, with both sides arriving after contrasting group-stage performances.
- Our World Cup 2026 betting guide has all of the latest information on the match.
- We asked the supercomputer to simulate the 2026 World Cup 25,000 times, and it has produced some fascinating conclusions in its official pre-tournament predictions.
- During World Cup qualification, you may notice that certain teams have already qualified for the main tournament which may mean that they use some squad players or experiment with their lineup.
- 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 (3.6%) and Norway (3.5%) rank highest in terms of possible World Cup winners.
- 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.
- Build a bracket, make your picks, or just check today’s scores.
- Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.
- The FIFA World Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated football events and commands enormous betting interest from players.
World Cup 2026 Bracket
For the first time, 48 nations will compete to lift the World Cup trophy in an expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada across 16 stadiums. Portugal enter the tournament as legitimate title contenders for good reason. Their roster is stacked with talent from back to front, and the possibility of Ronaldo’s final World Cup only sharpens the focus. Bosnia’s effort and organization should not be overlooked, but overcoming a Portuguese side featuring players like Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes would require something exceptional.
However, the model does simulate extra time and penalties, which generally favor the stronger side, in projecting which team advances. We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases. 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.
- Messi has scored six goals in three World Cup 2026 group matches, meaning Cape Verde’s centre-backs Logan Costa and Roberto Lopes must track him constantly, which in turn creates space for Martinez and Alvarez to exploit.
- Argentina head into this tie with a fully fit and settled squad.
- Looking ahead all the way to the final, two teams stand out from the crowd.
- Tuchel’s task is simple – get international football’s nearly men over the line.
- Norway, Morocco, Colombia and Japan are the dark horses, and all four reached the Round of 32.
- There are quite often, and unfortunately, major injuries that rule out certain players from the World Cup Finals, much to the devastation of the players themselves and their nations.
- Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets.
- Germany and Paraguay meet in the knockout stage having faced each other only twice before.
- 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 top spot could come down to goal difference, with both teams likely taking advantage of Cape Verde.
- The group-stage achievements are genuine, but their attacking output of two goals in three competitive matches underlines the challenge ahead.
- Debutants Uzbekistan are seen as having a slightly better chance of impressing than the other new nations, as they have a 0.2% chance of going all the way.
Predict, Compete, Follow the2026 FIFA World Cup
Switzerland enjoyed a solid group campaign, beating Bosnia and Canada while drawing 1-1 with Qatar in a match they arguably deserved more from. 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.
- Argentina are in clinical form and showing no signs of complacency heading into the knockout rounds.
- Eight knockout rounds for the eventual winners, compared to seven previously.
- But most of the favourites are set, with Lionel Messi hoping to help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown.
- Before locking in your 2026 World Cup picks and other World Cup bets on betting sites like FanDuel, be sure to check out top picks from the team of experts at SportsLine.
- Bosnia’s effort and organization should not be overlooked, but overcoming a Portuguese side featuring players like Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes would require something exceptional.
- Meanwhile, France bring Championship pedigree, combining 2018 winners Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele with a new generation led by Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki.
- As USA have been producing excellent performances in front of home fans, our prediction points toward a 2-1 home win.
- Rui Aguas guided his side to three draws in Group H against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, which proved enough to advance, making them one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
- However, we predict a 3-0 away win as les Tricolores look unstoppable at the moment.
- They were the only contender to come through the group stage with a perfect record, and they did it in the toughest group in the draw.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces the most dramatic format change in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams and creating a brand-new bracket structure that reshapes how every round unfolds.
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. For example, if Netherlands finish second in Group F – not inconceivable as they face decent opposition in Japan, Sweden and Tunisia – they would then have to play the winners of Group C – most likely Brazil – in the round of 32. 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. But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States.
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. With FIFA World Cup betting, it is key not to make silly mistakes which can immediately harm your chances of placing winning bets. 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).
With the Round of 32 underway and this 48-team field wide open, we will update these picks after every round. Our World Cup 2026 predictions land on France beating Argentina 2-1 in the July 19 final at New York New Jersey Stadium, a rematch of 2022. France and Argentina are the most likely finalists, sitting on opposite halves of the bracket.
The heat to ruin chances for European nations
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. As Morocco have been producing excellent displays at the showpiece tournament, we predict a 1-0 away win. Canada reached the last 16 thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Africa, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring the dec… The favoured teams, however, are France and Spain, with England deemed to have a strong chance as well. France will pursue a third straight final and third title overall, while past winners Spain enter as European champions.
At the former tournament, Ronaldo was dropped for a last-16 tie against Switzerland after a series of ineffective displays, and his replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win. Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps. These teams met in the last 16 in Qatar and Argentina had to endure some nervy moments. Lionel Scaloni’s men have two major tournament successes in their back pocket since then and can make easy work of this game. You can get daily World Cup 2026 match tips and predictions right here on 1960Tips.
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. The remaining 27.4 percent of simulations were level after 90 minutes, sending the match to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
Our World Cup betting insights are based on extensive historical data, team form leading into the tournament, and performance trends from recent editions, providing a reliable foundation for informed betting strategies. There will be fireworks when Algeria and Austria face each other in a crucial World Cup Group J showdown, with both sides knowing that a point could be enough to help them achieve their knockout-stage ambitions. Algeria showed great character in their second group game, coming from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1, and Vladimir Petkovic has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this … South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following his side’s group-stage elimination from the World Cup, after coming under heavy criticism from President Lee Jae-myung.
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. 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.
Looking ahead all the way to the final, two teams stand out from the crowd. No team has greater odds of reaching the round of 16 than Argentina. Standing in its way is underdog Cabo Verde, whose spirited journey is expected to come to an emphatic end in the coming days.