Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT is also given great odds of making it through to the next round, sitting at 78.46%. Canada and Mexico, the other two co-hosts, are both expected to advance comfortably as well. No team has greater odds of reaching the round of 16 than Argentina.
- South Korea and Czechia appear to be the likeliest candidates to challenge El Tri for the throne, but the 10-time Gold Cup winners should live up to their billing.
- Despite sitting a point behind Ghana in Group L, Croatia are clear favourites to claim victory, according to the Opta supercomputer.
- That is where Tuchel excels and it could prove to be the difference maker for the Three Lions.
- 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.
- The draw was rated at 13.3 percent, leaving Jordan – who have already been eliminated from the 2026 tournament – with just an 8.8 percent chance of pulling off a famous upset and claiming their first-ever World Cup win.
- Germany are the supercomputer’s fifth favourites with a 7.1% chance of winning a record-equalling fifth World Cup.
- This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
- Ancelotti is armed with attacking talent, having opted to select record goalscorer Neymar in addition to stars like Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.
- 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.
- The placement of each team will affect whom they face in the knockout round.
- 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.
Portugal vs. Argentina
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. Spain and Brazil are the strongest challengers, though Spain would have to get past Argentina in the semifinals to reach the final on July 19. France are the form pick after winning Group I with three wins from three, beating Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
Alexi Lalas’ 2026 FIFA World Cup Bracket Prediction
Ronald Koeman’s team have scored 10 times at the 2026 World Cup and have emerged as a side to watch when it comes to a potential challenge for the trophy. Gillette Stadium will play host to a fascinating last-32 contest at the 2026 World Cup on Monday, as Netherlands and Morocco lock horns in the competition. While our percentages have not proven overly kind to them, we should be clear that just reaching the tournament is a spectacular accomplishment. Elsewhere, the presence of departing Liverpool great Mohamed Salah means Egypt (0.4%) are among the biggest threats from the bottom half of our projections.
There are no major injury concerns for either side, with both managers expected to field their strongest available lineups. 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.
Group K: Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo Target First in Two-Team Race
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. The Brazilians are priced at -300 to advance to the next round, with the Japanese at +235. Goals Market – Over 3 Goals @ 6/5The totals line sits at 3, with over available at 6/5 and under at 4/5.
Thursday, June 18
In the United States, all 104 matches are in English on Fox (70) and FS1 (34), and all are streamed on Fox One. In total, there are 16 stadiums spanning across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that will be used during the month-long tournament. With 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, there’s more disparity across the four-team groups than we’re typically used to.
My Football Facts
Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final. At Euro 2024, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain produced one of the most eye-catching international tournament successes in recent memory. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal should not be discounted, while the three host nations will be desperate to make their mark. These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory. France, with their deeper, lavishly gifted squad, can gain revenge as the fresher of the two over this slog of a tournament.
- In the United States, all 104 matches are in English on Fox (70) and FS1 (34), and all are streamed on Fox One.
- Since Spain’s victory in South Africa, La Roja have not made it past the round of 16, exiting at that stage in the last two editions.
- A more realistic aim might be getting through the groups after impressing in AFC qualification – beating out sides like Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
- This season, 51% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 52% of games.
- With William Pacho and Moises Caicedo forming the spine of the team, they have the foundations required to frustrate even the elite nations.
- The striker is already the record goalscorer for England and has remained a pivotal figure for Tuchel, under whom the early returns have been strong.
- Ghana were victorious in 17.6 percent of simulations, while the draw was rated at 26.2 percent.
- You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s 2026 World Cup picks.
- While Messi inspired his capable but unspectacular team-mates to glory in 2022, Ronaldo arrives in North America with real quality all around him.
- Anchored by a veteran Casemiro, who can cap off a trophy-laden career with the holy grail of international football.
- Below is a daily World Cup game schedule so you can plan accordingly.
Group D: Turkey vs USA Headline Group with Knockout Stakes
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.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Saturday schedule, Round of 32 standings, predictions
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. Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament. Fresh match predictions, betting tips, and analysis updated every day throughout the tournament. Here is each team’s probability of winning the World Cup, and advancing to each stage of the knockout round, using an old-school, FiveThirtyEight heatmap format. France’s flawless group stage made them the favorite, Argentina drew the kinder half of the bracket, Norway are the dark horse, and Messi leads the Golden Boot race as the competition’s all-time top scorer.
Can Euro-World Cup winning history be a good omen for Spain?
Ancelotti was only in charge for the final five games of their campaign, but less than eight months into his reign, he has already overseen surprise defeats to Bolivia and Japan, as well as poor draws with Ecuador and Tunisia. Germany arguably played some of the best football at Euro 2024, ranking second for average possession (62.5%) and goals scored (11), but Nagelsmann has plenty of selection dilemmas to consider. 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.
World Cup 2026 final prediction
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. 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.
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. After winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is eyeing the chance to bounce back from what was, by his extremely high standards, a poor major tournament at Euro 2024, an event he ended without a goal. England finished with eight wins – and eight clean sheets – from as many matches in qualifying, becoming only the second team ever to win all their games in a UEFA campaign without conceding, after Yugoslavia in 1954.
SI GAMES & QUIZZES
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. 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. Here are 10 pivotal matchups you’ll see in group play before 32 teams move on to the knockout rounds. Last time out in 2022, Holland reached the quarter-finals, and a win over Morocco would see them secure a spot in the round of 16 against South Africa and Canada, opening up a route into the final eight of the tournament.
Portugal vs Croatia Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News & Tactical Analysis 2026 World Cup Round of 32
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. 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.
Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite. 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. 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.
- Scotland could pose a threat with players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, but they’re still at a disadvantage against better teams.
- Brazil won 57.3 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Japan were victorious in 19.7 percent.
- Mexico will need an all‑around effort to advance under the new knockout format, relying on far more than home support to reach the next round.
- Curaçao are the smallest nation by both area and population to ever get this far and following their progress is one of many fascinating subplots to look out for in a World Cup that is not to be missed.
- England’s golden generation finally has tournament experience after consecutive deep runs.
- But when the tournament begins, the likelihood is that Ronaldo will hog the headlines, just as he did in Qatar in 2022 and at Euro 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
- This is the first time this stage has ever existed in World Cup history.
- Gabriel Avalos has only scored twice in 25 appearances for his country, but there is again set to be a spot in the final third of the field for the 34-year-old.
World Cup: Knockout stage predictions
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. The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues on Monday with three more round of 32 ties, as Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands bid to join Canada in the last 16 of the tournament. Norway, however, possesses one of the most dangerous forward lines left in the competition.
- Argentina’s World Cup 2026 campaign has been a demonstration of controlled authority.
- David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up.
- 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.
- As the two teams seem to be evenly matched ahead of this round 32 clash, our prediction leans toward a 1-1 draw.
- Use the World Cup 2026 Simulator to pick every tie and build your own bracket.
- A confident victory over Curaçao on Matchday 3 showcased both their defensive organisation and attacking threat.
- MetLife Stadium will host an eagerly-awaited World Cup last-16 showdown as Brazil and Norway battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
- This version of Morocco has the tools to be more proactive against France, but that can be a double-edged sword, facing Les Bleus’ phenomenal attack.
- 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.
- See here for an overview of which teams got luckiest and unluckiest based on where they slotted into the bracket.
Ecuador (1.4%) are potentially tricky opponents who the top teams will want to avoid. They impressively finished second in South American qualifying and conceded just five goals in 18 matches. Jesse Marsch has a 42.7% chance of leading his team to the last 16, which would represent a magnificent performance. They are expected to challenge Switzerland for top spot in Group B. Erling Haaland struck 16 times in just eight games, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Saudi Arabia remain the wildcard, but I’m sticking with the two heavyweights to advance. This season, 51% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 52% of games. All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime. 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.
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. 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. He writes with the perspective of someone who genuinely cares about where the club is heading rather than simply reporting what has already happened.
Friday, June 12
- Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe.
- Our predictor lets you override any forecast and compete with friends.
- Here are Paul Carr’s power rankings of all 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, separated into five distinct tiers.
- He is the third player – alongside Messi and Ronaldo – able to appear at an unprecedented sixth edition of the World Cup and was selected for the Gold Cup, so watch this space.
- We have covered the seven teams who are most likely to win the tournament, but there are also a few other potential winners.
- Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation.
- Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets.
- And there has been no downturn from De la Fuente’s side since.
- Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun have had moments at the club level, but that’s never been extended to the national team.
- 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.
- I expect a tight match, possibly decided in extra time or penalties, with France finding a way through to a third straight final.
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. On top of that, online bookmakers may offer special promotions and an extensive range of markets for every game at the World Cup Finals. Paraguay’s best-ever showing at a World Cup came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals, but the national side missed out on qualification in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
World Cup 2026 Betting Tips
- Mexico will need an all‑around effort to advance under the new knockout format, relying on far more than home support to reach the next round.
- Brazil won 57.3 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Japan were victorious in 19.7 percent.
- Gabriel Avalos has only scored twice in 25 appearances for his country, but there is again set to be a spot in the final third of the field for the 34-year-old.
- Portugal had an inconsistent group campaign, crushing Uzbekistan 5-0 but being held to draws by both DR Congo and Colombia.
- Eight knockout rounds for the eventual winners, compared to seven previously.
- 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.
- We are calling a France vs Argentina final, with France lifting the trophy 2-1 on July 19.
- 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.
- Group-by-group odds, knockout stage forecasts, and tapados watch — all powered by FIFA rankings, ELO ratings, and past tournament performance.
- Don’t be surprised if at least one traditional power exits before the quarter-finals.
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. Similarly in the tournament itself, you might find that teams have already qualified for the knockout stage, or might be eliminated, which could lend itself to valuable FIFA World Cup betting opportunities if analysed correctly. 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.
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. Deschamps also lifted the trophy as a player when he was captain in 1998 and this will be Kylian Mbappé’s first World Cup as France skipper. If Spain are to triumph, it is likely Lamine Yamal will play a key role.
But even I can not confidently say Colombia will beat France, the most impressive team of the group stage, in a final scenario. They’re deep, everyone’s scoring, they’re changing and there is just a wealth of talent to choose from. But it’s at the end of this chapter and moving that things get real, real serious. The bracket is set, and now all 32 teams can start to dream about their path to the final. Ready to put your World Cup knowledge to the test this summer? 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.
From the oldest coach in World Cup history to Lionel Messi’s and Kylian Mbappé’s chase for the all-time World Cup scoring record, history will likely be made this summer. Tactics and managerial decision-making can be the difference between winning and losing a World Cup game, and there are plenty of skippers in the tournament that have had success coaching around the globe. While the field is a bit more watered-down than in previous iterations of the tournament, it’ll still be a challenge for most teams looking to advance to the Round of 32. The Yahoo Sports soccer team has its picks for Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, biggest disappointments and more right here. The World Cup draw took place on Dec. 5 and the 48 teams were slotted into 12 groups of four. The teams were given a final roster deadline of June 1, so we already know who will be representing each country (click on the teams below to see each roster).
So who will win the World Cup 2026, and which longshot could stun the soccer world? Check out the soccer odds below and then visit SportsLine to see Martin Green’s best bets for the 2026 World Cup, all from the proven expert who has crushed his soccer picks, and find out. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer betting picks, including the Champions League (+211.25) and Bundesliga (+100). He’s also been red-hot in 2026, posting an 18-8 record over his last 26 UCL picks, returning nearly $1,000 in profit. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday 5 December, the Opta supercomputer has produced its early predictions for this summer’s tournament in North America. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
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. Coming closest to Spain in the pre-tournament predictions are France (13.0%), who have contested the last two finals, long-suffering England (11.2%) and defending champions Argentina (10.4%). Among La Liga players, only Kylian Mbappé world cup 2026 draw (48) had more goal involvements in all competitions this season than the winger’s 41 (24 goals and 17 assists). Teams will battle it out to emerge from 12 different groups and reach a knockout stage that now features a round of 32 – a new addition at international football’s showpiece event. France are the big favourites to win the World Cup ahead of Argentina, with Spain and England the only others given a greater than 10% chance at current odds. Brazil come next after beating Japan and Portugal are just outside the top five, while Mexico and Morocco are the big market movers at 28/1.
- In his current role as a freelance content producer for The Sporting News, he writes betting content mostly for football but also tennis, golf, rugby union and Formula 1.
- The Opta supercomputer gave the reigning world champions a 77.9 percent chance of victory across 25,000 pre-match simulations.
- They made it to the UEFA Nations League final – where it took a penalty shootout for Portugal to beat them – and eased through qualification, topping Türkiye to go unbeaten across six games.
- There is currently a combined 3.7% chance of any of those sides going all the way, with Italy surely the most likely candidates if they can end their World Cup exile.
- Our World Cup betting analysis draws on data from recent editions of the tournament to highlight consistent patterns and team performance metrics.
- Brilliant Bernardo Silva and the livewire Rafael Leao are in Roberto Martinez’s squad too.
- If he carries them past Iran and New Zealand, advancement is realistic.
- The midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez has functioned well throughout the group stage, and Scaloni has few, if any, selection headaches at this stage of the tournament.
- A battle for second place ought to be far more exciting, with Iran likely to put Egypt’s credentials to the test after a decent group-stage campaign in Qatar.
- As Belgium have been raising their form game by game, our prediction points toward a 2-1 home win.
- 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.
- England are overwhelming favourites to claim all three points in New Jersey.
- Tuchel’s task is simple – get international football’s nearly men over the line.
- 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.
- France became the sixth team to win as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then.
- Emerse Faé’s side has impressed with its energy, athleticism and attacking balance, and now has the chance to script another memorable chapter.
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. A confident victory over Curaçao on Matchday 3 showcased both their defensive organisation and attacking threat. The match result market is heavily skewed toward Argentina, who are available at the best price of 1/6 across nine leading operators.
World Cup Group Previews: Lineups, Odds, Predictions and Tactics for All 12 Groups
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will present the winning country with the trophy in East Rutherford, New Jersey when the competition concludes with the World Cup final on 19 July. Peter Fitzpatrick is an experienced sports journalist, having worked in the industry since August 2022 following a mid-pandemic career change. 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. In his current role as a freelance content producer for The Sporting News, he writes betting content mostly for football but also tennis, golf, rugby union and Formula 1. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in a breathtaking final that ended 3-3 after extra time before the Albiceleste won on penalties.
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. 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.
