World Cup bracket predictions 2026: Expert picks for Round of 32 and every FIFA knockout game

The first 48–team field in World Cup history has been filed down to 32 for the knockout stages.

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All the tournament favorites have come through the group stage largely unscathed.

Lionel Messi is now the highest scorer of all time at World Cups and Kylian Mbappe isn’t far behind him, with Argentina and France each looking strong.

There have also been stirring underdog stories, with minnow Cape Verde qualifying as Group H runners-up behind European champions Spain, and Iran similarly going through the round-robin phase undefeated against the odds.

So, how will it all shake out? For better or worse, we’ve had a go at predicting the entire road to the final in New Jersey on July 19.

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World Cup 2026 bracket

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World Cup 2026 Round of 32 predictions

Round of 32 fixtures

South Africa vs. Canada

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.

SN Prediction: South Africa 0-1 Canada

Germany vs. Paraguay

Since teeing off on Curacao during their opening match, Germany have not done a great deal to convince. The question is whether Paraguay have enough in their locker to test Die Mannschaft, having recovered in an unflashy and pragmatic fashion from their opening thrashing by the United States.

SN Prediction: Germany 3-0 Paraguay

Netherlands vs. Morocco

Maybe the most attractive game of the bunch on paper. The Netherlands have been in free-scoring form so far, plundering 10 in Group F. Ronald Koeman’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet, though, and Morocco’s vibrant attack will play fearlessly as they have all tournament.

SN Prediction: Netherlands 3-3 Morocco (Morocco to win on penalties)

Brazil vs. Japan

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.

SN Prediction: Brazil 2-1 Japan

France vs. Sweden

Both of these teams have enjoyed free-scoring group-stage outingsm but if Sweden enter a 90-minute shootout with Kylian Mbappe and company, they are likely to be outgunned.

SN Prediction: France 5-2 Sweden

Ivory Coast vs. Norway

Ivory Coast arguably should have won all three of their Group E matches after they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose late against Germany, but Emerse Fae’s team have found goals hard to come by. The same cannot be said of Norway and their rested and refreshed talisman Erling Haaland.

SN Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway

Mexico vs. Ecuador

Mexico at the Azteca, backed by a raucous home crowd, has become appointment viewing at this World Cup. Ecuador shocked already-qualified Germany to reach this phase, but expect Javier Aguirre’s men to make it four wins out of four.

SN Prediction: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador

England vs. DR Congo

DR Congo clinched its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and with that, the nation was rewarded with England. Three Lions have had a tumultuous and injury-riddled group stage, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad should still come out on top. 

SN Prediction: England 2-1 DR Congo

USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

European opponents tend to fill the United States with dread, but Bosnia has faded down the stretch in all of their matches, even the win over Qatar. Mauricio Pochettino’s men will overpower them.

SN Prediction: USA 3-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Belgium vs. Senegal

Senegal looked sharp in their final win over Iraq but didn’t impress much against Norway ro France. Belgium’s form is headed in the other direction.

SN Prediction: Belgium 2-0 Senegal

Colombia vs. Ghana

Veteran Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz knows how to navigate World Cup ties as an underdog. The pick is for Colombia to edge this, but don’t expect it to be pretty.

SN Prediction: Colombia 1-0 Ghana (after extra time)

Spain vs. Austria

After the false start of a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde (a result that hasn’t aged terribly), Spain have Lamine Yamal back and are starting to purr.

SN Prediction: Spain 2-0 Austria

Switzerland vs. Algeria

Algeria has improved game by game in unenviable circumstances, but the same can be said for the more serene Swiss, and this will probably be the end of their brave run.

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SN Prediction: Switzerland 2-0 Algeria

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

This is David vs. Goliath, even if the diminutive and eternally brilliant Lionel Messi doesn’t fit too easily into this analogy.

SN Prediction: Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde

Portugal vs. Croatia

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. Ronaldo’s superior supporting cast will be the key.

SN Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Australia vs. Egypt

Egypt, Mohamed Salah and all, should have more than enough to do the job here. But time and again, they flatter to deceive on this stage, and the sight of them hanging on against Iran should give Australia plenty of encouragement.

SN Prediction: Australia 1-0 Egypt

World Cup 2026 Round of 16 knockout bracket predictions

Predicted Round of 16

Germany vs. France

These two traditional European heavyweights have a rich shared history on the international stage. Right now, though, France appears to have the edge in most departments.

SN Prediction: Germany 1-3 France 

Canada vs. Morocco

Houston is a long way from Canada, and this is probably where the co-hosts’ run comes to earth, with 2022 semifinalists Morocco going deep once more.

SN Prediction: Canada 0-2 Morocco

Brazil vs. Norway

Haaland’s father’s generation (Alfie actually didn’t play at the tournament in question) claimed a famous group-stage win over Brazil at France ’98. Norway have nothing to lose and can hurt Brazil, but they have a defence that Vinicius and company can exploit enough times to progress.

SN Prediction: Brazil 3-2 Norway

Mexico vs. England

What an occasion this could be at the Azteca. A host nation with its collective tail up and bleary-eyed fans enduring a 1 a.m. kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe.

SN Prediction: Mexico 2-1 England

Colombia vs. Spain

If Spain plays at the pedestrian pace we witnessed during the group stage, they could run into trouble against a nation that beat them 1-0 in a March 2024 friendly. It might take some time, but this should break out into an entertaining affair where La Roja’s bench is key.

SN Prediction: Colombia 1-3 Spain (after extra time)

USA vs. Belgium

Belgium are coming down the other side of the mountain, with just a few key figures remaining from their «golden generation».  Forever less than the sum of their parts, they feel ripe to be the victims of a banner night for U.S. soccer.

SN Prediction: USA 2-0 Belgium

Argentina vs. Australia

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.

SN Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Australia

Switzerland vs. Portugal

Another 2022 rematch. Switzerland will not suffer a repeat of their brutal 5-1 humiliation from three and a half years ago, but they won’t have enough to progress.

SN Prediction: Switzerland 0-1 Portugal

World Cup 2026 quarterfinal bracket predictions

Quarterfinals

France vs. Morocco

A re-run of the Qatar 2022 quarterfinal. 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.

SN Prediction: France 3-0 Morocco

Spain vs. USA

The anticipation for this one will be incredible, and the USMNT will throw absolutely everything at their illustrious opponents. Spain is a thoroughbred team that will not be denied.

SN Prediction: Spain 2-1 USA

Brazil vs. Mexico

Plenty of Mexico supporters will follow their heroes from their Azteca citadel. This will be some atmosphere in Miami, but it will be a Brazilian victory.

SN Prediction: Brazil 2-0 Mexico

Argentina vs. Portugal

How delicious. What perfect narrative. Can you imagine — at their final World Cups (surely), Messi and Ronaldo putting it all on the line for a place in the semifinals? All of the past two decades end here. Expect them each to score and both to convert their penalties. Not everyone will, though, and Emiliano Martinez loves these occasions.

SN Prediction: Argentina 2-2 Portugal (Argentina to win on penalties)

World Cup semifinal 2026 bracket predictions

Semifinals

France vs. Spain

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.

SN: Prediction: France 3-2 Spain

Brazil vs. Argentina

From the greatest individual rivalry of the 21st century to the greatest international soccer rivalry of all time. This will be tense, brutal and impossible to take your eyes off. Even if Brazil have improved as expected under Ancelotti, they are a rung below their great foes at present.

SN Prediction: Brazil 1-2 Argentina (after extra time)

World Cup 2026 final prediction

France vs. Argentina

A final rematch. The last time that happened, between Argentina and West Germany in 1990, the European nation gained its revenge. That’s the tip here, too. France can power clear as Argentina’s exertions against Portugal and Brazil catch up with them, and Messi runs out of fairy-tales.

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SN Prediction: France 3-0 Argentina