2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 21
Yesterday's Round of 32 World Cup action was reasonably predictable, but that didn't make it any less interesting to watch as we saw some fantastic performances.
Today, three more teams will advance to the Round of 16.
Here's your overview of yesterday, as well as a look ahead to today's ties.
This was always going to be a fairly even contest and so it proved, with Norway's goal machine Erling Haaland predictably scoring the winner. The Ivory Coast played some good football and deserved their equaliser which was a really special individual effort from Amad Diallo, but Norway responded well to that setback and ensured even extra time wasn't required.
As I mentioned yesterday, I decided to take a risk with an Ivory Coast pick knowing full well that basically everyone was going to 1-2 Norway. 41.7% is mad though! It feels like everyone I'm in a league with are among that 41.7% so I'm going to have to try even harder to find future upsets now.
Norway will face Brazil next. Tasty.
This was a terrifying statement from France to all other nations left in this World Cup. They were excellent. Graham Potter admitted post-match that his Sweden side were unlikely to win this game even if absolutely perfect, and I think he was spot on. It feels like we're watching Kylian Mbappe have a Pele/Maradona/R9 type World Cup.
Of course, Mbappe is also being supplied by genuinely world class players. Michael Olise was fantastic once again and he's going to absolutely smash the World Cup assist records. I'm already super impressed by Paraguay eliminating Germany from this tournament but it's fair to say their next tie against this French side will be 10x harder.
Again, it was always likely, but this was a great performance from Mexico. All they had to do to earn their first World Cup knockout win in 40 years was return to the Azteca.
I caught up with this match this morning and wow, it's always just quite something watching Mexico play in that arena. They were brilliant in the first half and both goals were so well taken. It's going to be extremely difficult for either England or Congo DR to take Mexico down on home soil in the Round of 16; they're now unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca.
For Ecuador, a disappointment but that opening half an hour from Mexico was just too much. It's rare to see them so stretched at the back. They did create some chances just before half time and then across the second half, but coming from behind has never been their forte and coach Sebastian Beccacece has already announced he will leave his role today.
Today's schedule:
I think (and desperately hope) England will get the job done this afternoon, but they need a convincing performance if we're to head to Mexico City with some hope. Thomas Tuchel was hired because he's an excellent knockouts coach, so now is the time to begin showing that.
Belgium vs. Senegal is tough. I haven't been hugely impressed with either. There are some similarities in the sense that both are sort of caught between generations at the moment, and I think it's just going to be a question of which individual can stand up and win it on the day.
I'm a bit scared to go with Senegal after the Ivory Coast let me down yesterday, but Belgium really haven't been great? I'm going to wait and check lineups - great as he's been for Senegal for so many years, Kalidou Koulibaly has had a poor tournament and was rightly dropped for Round 3 so I think they should stick with that side.
Finally, I think the USA will win reasonably comfortably despite Bosnia being a decent side. In the two games they've had that weren't a dead rubber, Mauricio Pochettino's team have been a fantastic watch.
Best of luck to all and come on England!
Today, three more teams will advance to the Round of 16.
Here's your overview of yesterday, as well as a look ahead to today's ties.
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway 🇳🇴
Outcome predicted by 73.8% of users | Scoreline predicted by 41.7% of usersThis was always going to be a fairly even contest and so it proved, with Norway's goal machine Erling Haaland predictably scoring the winner. The Ivory Coast played some good football and deserved their equaliser which was a really special individual effort from Amad Diallo, but Norway responded well to that setback and ensured even extra time wasn't required.
As I mentioned yesterday, I decided to take a risk with an Ivory Coast pick knowing full well that basically everyone was going to 1-2 Norway. 41.7% is mad though! It feels like everyone I'm in a league with are among that 41.7% so I'm going to have to try even harder to find future upsets now.
Norway will face Brazil next. Tasty.
🇫🇷 France 3-0 Sweden 🇸🇪
Outcome predicted by 97.9% of users | Scoreline predicted by 17.8% of usersThis was a terrifying statement from France to all other nations left in this World Cup. They were excellent. Graham Potter admitted post-match that his Sweden side were unlikely to win this game even if absolutely perfect, and I think he was spot on. It feels like we're watching Kylian Mbappe have a Pele/Maradona/R9 type World Cup.
Of course, Mbappe is also being supplied by genuinely world class players. Michael Olise was fantastic once again and he's going to absolutely smash the World Cup assist records. I'm already super impressed by Paraguay eliminating Germany from this tournament but it's fair to say their next tie against this French side will be 10x harder.
🇲🇽 Mexico 2-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨
Outcome predicted by 82% of users | Scoreline predicted by 20.9% of usersAgain, it was always likely, but this was a great performance from Mexico. All they had to do to earn their first World Cup knockout win in 40 years was return to the Azteca.
I caught up with this match this morning and wow, it's always just quite something watching Mexico play in that arena. They were brilliant in the first half and both goals were so well taken. It's going to be extremely difficult for either England or Congo DR to take Mexico down on home soil in the Round of 16; they're now unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca.
For Ecuador, a disappointment but that opening half an hour from Mexico was just too much. It's rare to see them so stretched at the back. They did create some chances just before half time and then across the second half, but coming from behind has never been their forte and coach Sebastian Beccacece has already announced he will leave his role today.
Today
England and co-hosts USA are both carrying big favourites tags, while there's a tough pick in Seattle where Belgium face Senegal.Today's schedule:
- 🏴 England vs. Congo DR 🇨🇩 | Kick-off 12:00 local, 17:00 UK, 18:00 CET/CAT
- 🇧🇪 Belgium vs. Senegal 🇸🇳 | Kick-off 13:00 local, 21:00 UK, 22:00 CET/CAT
- 🇺🇸 USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 | Kick-off 17:00 local, 01:00 UK, 02:00 CET/CAT
I think (and desperately hope) England will get the job done this afternoon, but they need a convincing performance if we're to head to Mexico City with some hope. Thomas Tuchel was hired because he's an excellent knockouts coach, so now is the time to begin showing that.
Belgium vs. Senegal is tough. I haven't been hugely impressed with either. There are some similarities in the sense that both are sort of caught between generations at the moment, and I think it's just going to be a question of which individual can stand up and win it on the day.
I'm a bit scared to go with Senegal after the Ivory Coast let me down yesterday, but Belgium really haven't been great? I'm going to wait and check lineups - great as he's been for Senegal for so many years, Kalidou Koulibaly has had a poor tournament and was rightly dropped for Round 3 so I think they should stick with that side.
Finally, I think the USA will win reasonably comfortably despite Bosnia being a decent side. In the two games they've had that weren't a dead rubber, Mauricio Pochettino's team have been a fantastic watch.
Best of luck to all and come on England!
Superbru on X
I am thinking:
England 2-1 DR Congo
Belgium 1-1 Senegal
USA 2-1 Bosnia
But not sure.
I will likely just keep it what it is now. I will check the lineups, but I expect all 6 teams to go with their strongest lineups. 1 Jul 13:21
Can Congo DR keep this up? We will see. They have been great.
It's such a random stat.
Poor performance but we will see if they're better against Mexico. Everything against them.
Exact for me.
Cristian - Belgium could definitely win, yes, if you think so stick with it. I am just sticking with 1-1 myself and penalties as sticking with my original pick is working well so far for me in round of 32. 1 Jul 18:21
Yeah he is a brilliant player. 1 Jul 18:22
I know I predicted 1-1 but kinda hope Senegal win this - I always liked them. Good team and good players. Beautiful to watch so far. Plus other than Morocco they other African teams have started to tumble. Hence, want more to progress.
I would be delighted with a 1-1 and penalties too, though, Lol.
Extra time should be good. I am hoping for penalties now to get 1.5 points, lol. 1 Jul 22:05
Feel bad for Senegal. They had that won and imploded. 1 Jul 22:51
More to the point I'd rather watch Senegal in the next round than Belgium.
Brilliant game though and congrats to Belgium for showing grit. 1 Jul 23:13