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The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 officially begins on Sunday, June 28, marking the start of the tournament’s thrilling knockout stage. With the competition expanding to 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history, fans can expect more high-stakes action than ever before.
This year’s format introduces a Round of 32, replacing the traditional Round of 16. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, have earned a place in the knockout stage. From now on, every match is a do-or-die battle, with winners advancing to the last 16 and losers heading home.
Several blockbuster fixtures headline the opening knockout round, including Netherlands vs Morocco, Portugal vs Croatia, and USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ahead of kickoff, USA TODAY Sports soccer writers have shared their predictions for all 16 Round of 32 matches.
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FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Expert Predictions
South Africa vs Canada
All four USA TODAY experts back Canada to reach the Round of 16, making them the unanimous favorite in this matchup.
Prediction: Canada (4-0)
Brazil vs Japan
Five-time world champions Brazil are expected to continue their title charge, with every expert predicting a comfortable victory over Japan.
Prediction: Brazil (4-0)
Germany vs Paraguay
Germany enters the knockout stage in impressive form, and the panel unanimously believes they will eliminate Paraguay.
Prediction: Germany (4-0)
Netherlands vs Morocco
One of the standout fixtures of the Round of 32 features two talented sides. Despite Morocco’s recent rise on the world stage, every expert favors the Netherlands.
Prediction: Netherlands (4-0)
Ivory Coast vs Norway
This is one of the closest contests in the knockout round. Two experts picked Ivory Coast, while the other two selected Norway, making this a true toss-up.
Prediction: Evenly split (2-2)
Mexico vs Ecuador
Mexico has earned the confidence of every USA TODAY analyst and is expected to edge Ecuador in a competitive encounter.
Prediction: Mexico (4-0)
Belgium vs Senegal
Belgium receives three votes, while Senegal earns one, suggesting a competitive match but with Belgium holding the advantage.
Prediction: Belgium (3-1)
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USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States enters the knockout stage with strong momentum. All four experts predict the Americans will advance to the Round of 16.
Prediction: USA (4-0)
Spain vs Austria
Spain is another unanimous selection, with the panel expecting the European giants to comfortably defeat Austria.
Prediction: Spain (4-0)
Portugal vs Croatia
This matchup divides opinions more than most. Portugal receives two votes, while Croatia also earns two, highlighting how evenly matched these European powers are.
Prediction: Evenly split (2-2)
Switzerland vs Algeria
Switzerland earns three expert picks compared to one for Algeria, making the Swiss the slight favorites.
Prediction: Switzerland (3-1)
Australia vs Egypt
Experts are split once again, with Australia and Egypt each receiving two predictions to advance.
Prediction: Evenly split (2-2)
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Defending powerhouse Argentina is unanimously predicted to move into the next round against tournament newcomers Cape Verde.
Prediction: Argentina (4-0)
Colombia vs Ghana
Another difficult contest to predict, Colombia and Ghana each receive two votes from the expert panel.
Prediction: Evenly split (2-2)
Biggest Favorites to Advance
Based on the expert consensus, the strongest favorites in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 are:
- Canada
- Brazil
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Mexico
- United States
- Spain
- Argentina
Each received unanimous support from all four USA TODAY soccer experts.
The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 promises drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments. While traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are heavily favored, evenly split predictions for matches like Portugal vs Croatia, Australia vs Egypt, Ivory Coast vs Norway, and Colombia vs Ghana show that several knockout ties could go either way.
As the win-or-go-home phase begins, fans around the world can expect intense competition, emotional moments, and plenty of potential upsets on the road to the World Cup final.
