2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 17
66 group stage games complete, 6 to go in our World Cup Predictor!
28 of the 32 teams to make the knockout stage are confirmed, so there are 4 places to be decided tonight, as well as the order in which some teams are qualifying.
Here's your daily World Cup Predictor round-up, beginning with what happened yesterday.
Considering how excited many were for this one, it was a bit of a non-event once Norway decided to almost entirely rotate their team. That's fair enough and makes sense for a few reasons, but they never stood a chance against a full strength French side.
Ousmane Dembele stole the show with a magnificent hat-trick and it means France have come through a tough group with a perfect record. Norway were seemingly happy to settle for a clash with the Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 but that looks set to be a close one and I'm not totally convinced Norway will win it..
I said yesterday that I wasn't convinced that Senegal could get this kind of high-scoring win that they needed, but fair play to them, they took full advantage of an early red card for Iraq. This just became an exhibition in absolutely smashing the ball into the net; Pape Gueye had a particularly powerful strike. Goals like that are always fun to watch and Senegal have since had their place in the Round of 32 confirmed after the day's later results.
History for Cape Verde who become the smallest nation in history to reach the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup. Incredible. I don't think anyone would have predicted pre-tournament that Cape Verde were getting through this group unbeaten, but they've been inspired ever since that miraculous draw with Spain in the opening round.
For Saudi Arabia, a big disappointment as this was also a big opportunity for them since Uruguay lost, but Cape Verde looked the more likely to score if there was to be a goal.
A disaster confirmed for Uruguay as for the second World Cup in a row, they get grouped. Predictably, this all got a bit ugly by the end and there were some bad tackles flying in. However, Uruguay only have themselves to blame, even in this game where the only goal was a bad error from goalkeeper Fernando Muslera who let Alex Baena's strike straight through him.
Predicting that this group would be the one where a 3rd-placed side doesn't progress would have been quite fair ahead of the tournament, it's just you'd have thought Uruguay would be advancing in 2nd rather than Cape Verde.
This was thrilling end to Group G which has been very competitive (if a bit low on quality) throughout. The drama is reduced slightly by the fact that Iran may well progress anyway as a 3rd-placed side, but that's not a guarantee and there were jubilant scenes in injury time of this game where it seemed they'd found a last minute winner to claim the runners-up spot, only to be denied by a VAR offside call.
I'll be honest and say I was absolutely delighted because I predicted 1-1 and desperately needed an Exact with what was a slightly risky pick since most people backed Egypt, but I did quite quickly feel bad for the Iran squad as celebrating a huge moment like that only to take have it taken away is one of the worst (of many) things about VAR.
Egypt just about clung on despite Iran then hitting the bar shortly afterwards, but that lack of composure and control from Egypt is a bit of a worry heading into the knockout stage.
Belgium finally decided to turn up at this World Cup and the lack of goals in almost all other matches in this group means they've somehow won it with this thrashing! It was nice that Elijah Just got another goal for New Zealand in what has been a great tournament for him but this was one-way traffic otherwise and more of what we'd been expecting to see from Belgium this whole time.
Can they take this kind of form into the knockouts? I have my doubts.
Today's schedule:
Group K should be more entertaining. Colombia vs. Portugal has the potential to be a cracker and then Congo DR are chasing a win, which I think they'll get, that would see them through with 4 points as a 3rd-placed side. Portugal are probably favourites to win the group, but I've been impressed with Colombia and think they can get at least a point to stay top.
Finally, Jordan will at least be spared Lionel Messi for most of their final match in this tournament as Lionel Scaloni has confirmed he won't be starting his main man, but that's going to be an Argentina win.
Algeria vs. Austria feels a bit Paraguay vs. Australia, doesn't it?
For full match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
Good luck to all with your final group stage predictions. Remember, we're straight into the knockout stage tomorrow so make sure you and your league mates have got predictions in for the first few ties!
We posted this article yesterday to explain the rules around extra time and penalties.
28 of the 32 teams to make the knockout stage are confirmed, so there are 4 places to be decided tonight, as well as the order in which some teams are qualifying.
Here's your daily World Cup Predictor round-up, beginning with what happened yesterday.
🇳🇴 Norway 1-4 France 🇫🇷
Outcome predicted by 81% of users | Scoreline predicted by 1.4% of usersConsidering how excited many were for this one, it was a bit of a non-event once Norway decided to almost entirely rotate their team. That's fair enough and makes sense for a few reasons, but they never stood a chance against a full strength French side.
Ousmane Dembele stole the show with a magnificent hat-trick and it means France have come through a tough group with a perfect record. Norway were seemingly happy to settle for a clash with the Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 but that looks set to be a close one and I'm not totally convinced Norway will win it..
🇸🇳 Senegal 5-0 Iraq 🇮🇶
Outcome predicted by 85% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.08% of usersI said yesterday that I wasn't convinced that Senegal could get this kind of high-scoring win that they needed, but fair play to them, they took full advantage of an early red card for Iraq. This just became an exhibition in absolutely smashing the ball into the net; Pape Gueye had a particularly powerful strike. Goals like that are always fun to watch and Senegal have since had their place in the Round of 32 confirmed after the day's later results.
🇨🇻 Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Outcome predicted by 34% of users | Scoreline predicted by 4.8% of usersHistory for Cape Verde who become the smallest nation in history to reach the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup. Incredible. I don't think anyone would have predicted pre-tournament that Cape Verde were getting through this group unbeaten, but they've been inspired ever since that miraculous draw with Spain in the opening round.
For Saudi Arabia, a big disappointment as this was also a big opportunity for them since Uruguay lost, but Cape Verde looked the more likely to score if there was to be a goal.
🇺🇾 Uruguay 0-1 Spain 🇪🇸
Outcome predicted by 91.1% of users | Scoreline predicted by 3.3% of usersA disaster confirmed for Uruguay as for the second World Cup in a row, they get grouped. Predictably, this all got a bit ugly by the end and there were some bad tackles flying in. However, Uruguay only have themselves to blame, even in this game where the only goal was a bad error from goalkeeper Fernando Muslera who let Alex Baena's strike straight through him.
Predicting that this group would be the one where a 3rd-placed side doesn't progress would have been quite fair ahead of the tournament, it's just you'd have thought Uruguay would be advancing in 2nd rather than Cape Verde.
🇪🇬 Egypt 1-1 Iran 🇮🇷
Outcome predicted by 21.1% of users | Scoreline predicted by 16.2% of usersThis was thrilling end to Group G which has been very competitive (if a bit low on quality) throughout. The drama is reduced slightly by the fact that Iran may well progress anyway as a 3rd-placed side, but that's not a guarantee and there were jubilant scenes in injury time of this game where it seemed they'd found a last minute winner to claim the runners-up spot, only to be denied by a VAR offside call.
I'll be honest and say I was absolutely delighted because I predicted 1-1 and desperately needed an Exact with what was a slightly risky pick since most people backed Egypt, but I did quite quickly feel bad for the Iran squad as celebrating a huge moment like that only to take have it taken away is one of the worst (of many) things about VAR.
Egypt just about clung on despite Iran then hitting the bar shortly afterwards, but that lack of composure and control from Egypt is a bit of a worry heading into the knockout stage.
🇳🇿 New Zealand 1-5 Belgium 🇧🇪
Outcome predicted by 89% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.1% of usersBelgium finally decided to turn up at this World Cup and the lack of goals in almost all other matches in this group means they've somehow won it with this thrashing! It was nice that Elijah Just got another goal for New Zealand in what has been a great tournament for him but this was one-way traffic otherwise and more of what we'd been expecting to see from Belgium this whole time.
Can they take this kind of form into the knockouts? I have my doubts.
Today
The final day of group stage action. There are a couple of notable matches where I'm hoping we don't see draws being settled for as a result of the format.Today's schedule:
- 🇭🇷 Croatia vs. Ghana 🇬🇭 (Group L) | Kick-off 17:00 local, 22:00 UK, 23:00 CET/CAT
- 🇵🇦 Panama vs. England 🏴 (Group L) | Kick-off 17:00 local, 22:00 UK, 23:00 CET/CAT
- 🇨🇴 Colombia vs. Portugal 🇵🇹 (Group K) | Kick-off 19:30 local, 00:30 UK, 01:30 CET/CAT
- 🇨🇩 Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 (Group K) | Kick-off 19:30 local, 00:30 UK, 01:30 CET/CAT
- 🇩🇿 Algeria vs. Austria 🇦🇹 (Group J) | Kick-off 21:00 local, 03:00 UK, 04:00 CET/CAT
- 🇯🇴 Jordan vs. Argentina 🇦🇷 (Group J) | Kick-off 21:00 local, 03:00 UK, 04:00 CET/CAT
Group K should be more entertaining. Colombia vs. Portugal has the potential to be a cracker and then Congo DR are chasing a win, which I think they'll get, that would see them through with 4 points as a 3rd-placed side. Portugal are probably favourites to win the group, but I've been impressed with Colombia and think they can get at least a point to stay top.
Finally, Jordan will at least be spared Lionel Messi for most of their final match in this tournament as Lionel Scaloni has confirmed he won't be starting his main man, but that's going to be an Argentina win.
Algeria vs. Austria feels a bit Paraguay vs. Australia, doesn't it?
For full match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
Good luck to all with your final group stage predictions. Remember, we're straight into the knockout stage tomorrow so make sure you and your league mates have got predictions in for the first few ties!
We posted this article yesterday to explain the rules around extra time and penalties.
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I dropped a bit overnight as I lost my France exact with Doue's goal, and I backed Cape Verde and Egypt. However, still doing well.
Here's my predictions for tonight, as it stands. Might change a few. No games til 10pm here in UK as you know so I guess if we wanna watch all the games we really need a nap later.
Croatia 1-1 Ghana
Panama 0-3 England
Congo DR 2-1 Uzbekistan
Algeria 1-1 Austria
Jordan 0-2 Argentina
As for Colombia v Portugal. As I said yesterday and as you said here, it could be a cracker and game of the round, with both teams needing something to top the group. We will see what happens. I am thinking of just saying screw it, and playing aggressively and backing Portugal. In football tactics terms, I don't really wanna play defensively and park the bus. It might be a good idea though to go with the likely consensus and back Portugal just to keep pace whatever outcome. Then look to attack the knockout rounds. But we will see.
I also agree wi
The round of 32 is taking shape now. 27 Jun 09:55
Yeah I think those are all decent picks by you. Croatia-Ghana could be any of the three results. In general terms I'd back Austria to beat Algeria, but with a draw suiting both, it's throwing me off. Good point - if Ronaldo starts on the bench they have a better chance. Though the worry with backing Colombia or the draw is that even though he's a statue he still gets 2-3 chances per game with off ball movement.
Let's see what happens anyway. Gotta try to get through this last group stage day with a good amount of points to be in good shape for the elimination rounds.
Thanks for your comment, Phil. Enjoyed reading it. 27 Jun 18:18
About this, don't forget 1982's Disgrace of Gijon. Yes, a draw suits both, but Algeria have never forgotten that. Might be an extra wrinkle to consider.
Dr Congo ruining everyone's exact too lol.
Brazil might be able to do something, we will see. 28 Jun 12:52
Also, Matteo, you and I had an identical record in round 3, lol. Different games but exact same score and number of results, closes and exacts. 28 Jun 12:51