2026 World Cup Round of 32 Predictions!

Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 Predictions

🇿🇦 South Africa vs Canada 🇨🇦

South Africa have exceeded expectations to reach the knockout stages and their organised defence has frustrated opponents throughout the tournament since changing to a 4231.

However, Canada possess more quality in the final third, with Jonathan David capable of changing a game in an instant. Expect South Africa to make life difficult early before Canada's class eventually tells in the second half in front of a huge Canadian crowd in Los Angeles.

Tip: South Africa 1-2 Canada
Goal Scorer Tip - Jonathan David

🇧🇷 Brazil vs Japan 🇯🇵

Arguably the biggest upset prediction of the Round of 32. Brazil will look to control possession and create plenty of opportunities, but Japan have shown incredible discipline, resilience and organisation all tournament.

After 120 minutes of football, the scores remain locked, before Japan hold their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to eliminate one of the tournament favourites.

Tip: Brazil 1-1 Japan (Japan win on penalties)
Goal Scorer Tip - Vinicius Jr

🇩🇪 Germany vs Paraguay 🇵🇾

Germany have quietly gone about their business in the group stage, looking balanced in defence while remaining clinical in attack. Paraguay won't make things easy and will likely sit deep looking to frustrate, but Germany should have enough patience and quality to break through and secure a professional victory.

Tip: Germany 2-0 Paraguay
Goal Scorer Tip - Kai Havertz

🇳🇱 Netherlands vs Morocco 🇲🇦

This could easily be the game of the round. Morocco have proven once again they can compete with the world's best and their pace on the counter-attack will cause problems for the Dutch defence. The Netherlands will score, but Morocco's energy and attacking quality see them pull off a memorable upset in an end-to-end thriller between the two most in form sides.

Tip: Netherlands 2-3 Morocco
Goal Scorer Tip: Brian Brobbey

🇨🇮 Cote D'ivoire vs Norway 🇳🇴

Cote D'ivoire have impressed with their physicality and attacking threat, but Norway's golden generation is beginning to click at the perfect time. Erling Haaland is expected to make the difference in a tightly contested match as Norway edge into the Round of 16.

Tip: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
Goal Scorer Tip - Erling Haaland

🇫🇷 France vs Sweden 🇸🇪

France have looked stronger with every game and enter the knockout rounds as the favourites to lift the trophy. Sweden will compete strongly and could threaten from set pieces and in transition, but France's attacking depth should ultimately prove too much for a decent Sweden side.

Tip: France 3-1 Sweden
Goal Scorer Tip - Ousmane Dembele

🇲🇽 Mexico vs Ecuador 🇪🇨

This has all the ingredients of a classic knockout encounter. Mexico's experience and Ecuador's youthful energy should produce an evenly matched contest, with neither side able to find a winner across 120 minutes. In the penalty shootout, Mexico keep their composure to book their place in the next round in front of a rapturous crowd.

Tip: Mexico 1-1 Ecuador (Mexico win on penalties)
Goal Scorer Tip - Raul Jimenez

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs 🇨🇩 DR Congo

DR Congo have been one of the feel-good stories of the World Cup, but England possess too much quality across the pitch in attack. Thomas Tuchel's side have looked increasingly comfortable throughout the tournament, and another disciplined performance should see them progress without too many scares, with DR Congo likely to put 10 players behind the ball.

Tip: England 2-0 DR Congo
Goal Scorer Tip - Bukayo Saka

🇧🇪 Belgium vs Senegal 🇸🇳

One of the standout fixtures of the Round of 32. Belgium's experienced stars will control long periods of possession, but Senegal's athleticism and pace make them incredibly dangerous on the break. After an entertaining 2-2 draw, Senegal complete another famous World Cup upset by winning the penalty shootout.

Tip: Belgium 2-2 Senegal (Senegal win on penalties)
Goal Scorer Tip - Romelu Lukaku

🇺🇸 United States vs Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦

The United States have impressed with their intensity and organisation throughout the tournament. Bosnia & Herzegovina have enough quality to stay in the contest, but the USA's attacking transitions and home support should prove decisive in a competitive encounter.

Tip: United States 2-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Goal Scorer Tip - Folarin Balogun

🇪🇸 Spain vs Austria 🇦🇹

Austria have surprised many by reaching the knockout stages, but Spain's possession-based style and technical quality should allow them to dictate proceedings. Austria will threaten on the counter and from long range efforts, though Spain are expected to pull away during the second half to win this one.

Tip: Spain 3-1 Austria
Goal Scorer Tip - Lamine Yamal

🇵🇹 Portugal vs Croatia 🇭🇷

A heavyweight European clash that promises plenty of quality. Croatia's experienced midfield will ensure Portugal are tested throughout, but Portugal's depth and attacking talent should eventually make the difference in what could be one of the most entertaining matches of the round.

Tip: Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Goal Scorer Tip - Cristiano Ronaldo

🇨🇭 Switzerland vs Algeria 🇩🇿

Algeria have shown plenty of attacking intent during the group stage and won't be intimidated by Switzerland. Expect an open contest with chances at both ends, but Switzerland's composure and experience in knockout football should see them edge a closely fought battle.

Tip: Switzerland 2-1 Algeria
Goal Scorer Tip - Manuel Akanji

🇦🇺 Australia vs Egypt 🇪🇬

The Socceroos continue to prove the doubters wrong. Egypt have enough attacking quality to threaten, but Australia's disciplined defensive structure and relentless work rate could once again be the difference. A tense encounter is likely to be settled by a single goal.

Tip: Australia 1-0 Egypt
Goal Scorer Tip - Mohamed Toure

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Cape Verde 🇨🇻

Cape Verde have enjoyed a remarkable World Cup campaign and can leave the tournament with their heads held high. Unfortunately for them, Argentina are hitting top form at the perfect time. Expect the reigning world champions to dominate possession and create plenty of opportunities as they comfortably advance.

Tip: Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde
Goal Scorer Tip - Lionel Messi

🇨🇴 Colombia vs Ghana 🇬🇭

A fascinating clash between two exciting sides. Ghana have shown they can trouble anyone going forward, but Colombia have arguably been one of the most balanced teams in the tournament. Their ability to control possession and create chances should be enough to edge an entertaining contest.

Tip: Colombia 3-1 Ghana
Goal Scorer Tip - Jhon Arias

How these results would shape the Round of 16:

🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇲🇦 Morocco
🇩🇪 Germany vs 🇫🇷 France
🇯🇵 Japan vs 🇳🇴 Norway
🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

🇸🇳 Senegal vs 🇺🇸 United States
🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇵🇹 Portugal
🇨🇭 Switzerland vs 🇨🇴 Colombia
🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇦🇺 Australia