2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 8
It was a bit of a marathon, but Round 1 of the World Cup is officially complete.
Well done to those of you that managed a Yellow Cap in your private leagues! It was a frustrating end to the round for me with those injury time goals. I was afraid Ghana were going to grab a late winner as I'd risked a Panama pick while knowing most would go with Ghana, and then Colombia greedily scored a third to ruin my 1-2 pick there 😁
There's a very long way to go though! Here's your overview of everything that unfolded yesterday and what's coming up at the start of Round 2 today.
A fantastic result for DRC at the start of this World Cup. They absolutely deserved this point too. Yoane Wissa will brilliant, but Congo DR defended so well generally as a collective too and they've given themselves a fantastic chance of progressing to the knockout stage.
For Portugal, the criticism has rightly been heavy because they were dreadful and it feels like they'll need to make changes fast with an awkward clash with Colombia still to come. As I said in my group preview, I have my doubts over Roberto Martinez as the man to lead such a talented squad. It felt a bit muddled yesterday - if you're playing Cristiano Ronaldo, you need the whole team built around supplying his more limited game these days. Equally, if you want that ridiculously good midfield three to excel, you need more movement in front of them.
As always with Ronaldo, the hype, or in this case criticism, is overblown because people either love or hate him so much. It's certainly true that his desire to be the man scoring the goals negatively affected Portugal at times yesterday, as Thierry Henry spoke about well, but he can still be of great use to Portugal in my opinion. I personally think it should be from the bench rather than starting given how impactful and intimidating he could be as a fresh option later on in a match, but if he's not happy with that kind of role, Martinez isn't going to do it.
I had this down as a nervy, quite boring, 1-0 win for England and was worried about everyone becoming negative about the style of play during the group stage, so this was a very pleasant surprise. After a fairly poor first half display from both teams, which resulted in 4 goals, England were excellent in the second half. Croatia gave away some poor goals, but I think the pace and intensity of the four wingers that Tuchel will rotate between will lead a lot of opponents into doing that.
Harry Kane is the key and it was good to see him getting off to a strong start. We're set for quite a golden boot race this tournament as the majority of the star forwards have really hit the ground running in these past few days.
I doubt the Ghana fans on here will care one bit, and nor should they, but this was not an easy watch. Panama can feel aggrieved not to have earned a point from this game as they were the side playing with a bit more control throughout, but there was a lack of quality across the board and Ghana were always the side with the stronger forwards capable of finding a goal if the chance came, it's just that they usually only commit about two players forward at once.
Antoine Semenyo put a shift in for what must be a very difficult team to play in after becoming used to Manchester City, but it was Brandon Thomas-Asante from the bench who provided the big moment, setting up Caleb Yirenkyi for an injury time winner.
The worst thing about this match was of course the hydration breaks taken during pouring rain in Toronto. I'm enjoying the crowds starting to make their feelings heard each time the match is stopped for them.
Here's how Group L now looks. England should be in full control, as neither Ghana nor Panama looked like being capable of challenging them.
This was a fun match to finish Round 1 and it was great to see Colombia's attack living up to it's potential at times. The first goal from Daniel Munoz was excellent and then, while I was annoyed it cost me my Exact, the assist from Cucho Hernandez for their third was fantastic. Great work rate shown to scrap for the ball out on the touchline initially and then an excellent cross to Jaminton Campaz.
It was good to see Uzbekistan put in a reasonable performance on their World Cup debut too. They levelled things up on the hour mark, albeit thanks to some questionable goalkeeping, but ultimately fell behind again too quickly after that equaliser. It will be fascinating to see how they go against Portugal in Round 2 now that Portugal are under such huge pressure.
Make sure you've made your predictions and encouraged everyone else in your league to do so too! As much as you want to win your league, it's much more fun when everyone has made a pick.
Also, if you're new to Superbru and enjoying the Predictor, it's not too late to create a league and get others involved for the remainder of the tournament.
On the Superbru Football app, when creating a league you can set things up so that it starts from Round 2, meaning in that specific league everyone will start on 0 points heading into today's matches.
Today's schedule:
Switzerland have put themselves under pressure and that looks like a tough game for them against Bosnia, whereas I think we might see Canada find the kind of result that the Swiss should have done against Qatar.
Mexico vs. South Korea looks like the best game of the round so it's a a shame for those of us in Europe that it's in the time slot where we're starting to fade a bit! That said, Lionel Messi kept me very awake in that kick-off slot the other night so if the game is as entertaining as I'm hoping, it won't be a problem.
For match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
Go well in Round 2!
Well done to those of you that managed a Yellow Cap in your private leagues! It was a frustrating end to the round for me with those injury time goals. I was afraid Ghana were going to grab a late winner as I'd risked a Panama pick while knowing most would go with Ghana, and then Colombia greedily scored a third to ruin my 1-2 pick there 😁
There's a very long way to go though! Here's your overview of everything that unfolded yesterday and what's coming up at the start of Round 2 today.
🇵🇹 Portugal 1-1 Congo DR 🇨🇩
Outcome predicted by 2% of users | Scoreline predicted by 1% of usersA fantastic result for DRC at the start of this World Cup. They absolutely deserved this point too. Yoane Wissa will brilliant, but Congo DR defended so well generally as a collective too and they've given themselves a fantastic chance of progressing to the knockout stage.
For Portugal, the criticism has rightly been heavy because they were dreadful and it feels like they'll need to make changes fast with an awkward clash with Colombia still to come. As I said in my group preview, I have my doubts over Roberto Martinez as the man to lead such a talented squad. It felt a bit muddled yesterday - if you're playing Cristiano Ronaldo, you need the whole team built around supplying his more limited game these days. Equally, if you want that ridiculously good midfield three to excel, you need more movement in front of them.
As always with Ronaldo, the hype, or in this case criticism, is overblown because people either love or hate him so much. It's certainly true that his desire to be the man scoring the goals negatively affected Portugal at times yesterday, as Thierry Henry spoke about well, but he can still be of great use to Portugal in my opinion. I personally think it should be from the bench rather than starting given how impactful and intimidating he could be as a fresh option later on in a match, but if he's not happy with that kind of role, Martinez isn't going to do it.
🏴 England 4-2 Croatia 🇭🇷
Outcome predicted by 67% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.5% of usersI had this down as a nervy, quite boring, 1-0 win for England and was worried about everyone becoming negative about the style of play during the group stage, so this was a very pleasant surprise. After a fairly poor first half display from both teams, which resulted in 4 goals, England were excellent in the second half. Croatia gave away some poor goals, but I think the pace and intensity of the four wingers that Tuchel will rotate between will lead a lot of opponents into doing that.
Harry Kane is the key and it was good to see him getting off to a strong start. We're set for quite a golden boot race this tournament as the majority of the star forwards have really hit the ground running in these past few days.
🇬🇭 Ghana 1-0 Panama 🇵🇦
Outcome predicted by 63% of users | Scoreline predicted by 15.6% of usersI doubt the Ghana fans on here will care one bit, and nor should they, but this was not an easy watch. Panama can feel aggrieved not to have earned a point from this game as they were the side playing with a bit more control throughout, but there was a lack of quality across the board and Ghana were always the side with the stronger forwards capable of finding a goal if the chance came, it's just that they usually only commit about two players forward at once.
Antoine Semenyo put a shift in for what must be a very difficult team to play in after becoming used to Manchester City, but it was Brandon Thomas-Asante from the bench who provided the big moment, setting up Caleb Yirenkyi for an injury time winner.
The worst thing about this match was of course the hydration breaks taken during pouring rain in Toronto. I'm enjoying the crowds starting to make their feelings heard each time the match is stopped for them.
Here's how Group L now looks. England should be in full control, as neither Ghana nor Panama looked like being capable of challenging them.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia 🇨🇴
Outcome predicted by 91% of users | Scoreline predicted by 10.8% of usersThis was a fun match to finish Round 1 and it was great to see Colombia's attack living up to it's potential at times. The first goal from Daniel Munoz was excellent and then, while I was annoyed it cost me my Exact, the assist from Cucho Hernandez for their third was fantastic. Great work rate shown to scrap for the ball out on the touchline initially and then an excellent cross to Jaminton Campaz.
It was good to see Uzbekistan put in a reasonable performance on their World Cup debut too. They levelled things up on the hour mark, albeit thanks to some questionable goalkeeping, but ultimately fell behind again too quickly after that equaliser. It will be fascinating to see how they go against Portugal in Round 2 now that Portugal are under such huge pressure.
Today
Round 2 begins.Make sure you've made your predictions and encouraged everyone else in your league to do so too! As much as you want to win your league, it's much more fun when everyone has made a pick.
Also, if you're new to Superbru and enjoying the Predictor, it's not too late to create a league and get others involved for the remainder of the tournament.
On the Superbru Football app, when creating a league you can set things up so that it starts from Round 2, meaning in that specific league everyone will start on 0 points heading into today's matches.
Today's schedule:
- 🇨🇿 Czechia vs. South Africa 🇿🇦 (Group A) | Kick-off 12:00 local, 17:00 UK, 18:00 CET/CAT
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 (Group B) | Kick-off 12:00 local, 20:00 UK, 21:00 CET/CAT
- 🇨🇦 Canada vs. Qatar 🇶🇦 (Group B) | Kick-off 15:00 local, 23:00 UK, 00:00 CET/CAT
- 🇲🇽 Mexico vs. South Korea 🇰🇷 (Group A) | Kick-off 19:00 local, 02:00 UK, 03:00 CET/CAT
Switzerland have put themselves under pressure and that looks like a tough game for them against Bosnia, whereas I think we might see Canada find the kind of result that the Swiss should have done against Qatar.
Mexico vs. South Korea looks like the best game of the round so it's a a shame for those of us in Europe that it's in the time slot where we're starting to fade a bit! That said, Lionel Messi kept me very awake in that kick-off slot the other night so if the game is as entertaining as I'm hoping, it won't be a problem.
For match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
Go well in Round 2!
Superbru on X
I will take a top 10% finish.
Swiss 2-1 Bosnia
Canada 2-0 Qatar
Mexico 2-1 South Korea
A few I am unsure of but as Fleeto and other said, changing picks never works, so gonna stick with them.
I actually think I am starting to struggle more. However, if you are interested in my thoughts, or advice, you can always send me a private message on here.
I think you're always better to go with your own hunches rather than listen to me or anyone else, but if you want me to help I will man. 18 Jun 18:34
After seeing Switzerland first game I am not sure they will beat a dogged Bosnia team - especially if Dzeko is back (not sure if he is) - but will give them the benefit of the doubt one more time.
Canada actually looked good to me against Bosnia and I think they were unlucky not to win (though glad they didn't as got me an exact). I think they will beat Qatar, but Qatar will have their moments.
Czechia didn't seem good in their first game, but I think with the set piece threat they carry they'll win, though I was tempted to give RSA a goal.
Tbh, the Colombian cross should never have been allowed to be delivered for the third goal. It was really determined play but the Uzbek player should have been stronger.
FPL related who would you guys go for?
Vini JR or Kane? Or someone else?
You mean the FIFA game? I am not playing it this time, but both of those are very good picks, though I don't think Vini will have an easy time as I think Haiti will be stubborn, but you never know how things pan out.
I know it's unoriginal but Messi is still a great pick, too. Austria are decent but they didn't look great in the first game against Jordan whereas I was impressed with Argentina - not just Messi but them as a collective - against Algeria.
As you mentioned Vini and Kane I assume you're looking for a premium pick, so Mbappe against Iraq, Vini, Kane and Messi all seem top picks. They all have decent games on paper, too, as I say, even if I think Haiti will be stubborn. I'd personally avoid Haaland this round - obviously he is capable of scoring against anyone, but Senegal are a tough nut to crack. 18 Jun 14:35
I also have a theory that a lot of people know their squad has holes, and are saying it's brilliant as they hate him so much (not you, others I mean). That way, if they fail, they can blame him and make him the fall guy.
Obviously I am no fan of him, but they have more problems than just him. I really don't think they're magically gonna be brilliant just by playing Ramos in place of him. As you said, Martinez is a big issue too and the gaps in their squad
Yeah it's the FIFA game.
Think Brazil win Haiti yeah we're good but they won't stop Brazil who need a win!
Lastly Switzerland or Canada to win? It's for my LMS game can't decide between the 2?….
Yeah Brazil should win.
If you mean who wins between Swiss and Canada final game, or who tops group, then that's tough to say before these fixtures. If you mean today then I agree with Fleeto that Canada are more likely winners, though both are favourites in their games. Bosnia and Qatar did well first round, though, in results. As I said though, Canada did impress me against the Bosnians. 18 Jun 15:21
Goal was beautifully worked. A long throw down the line, cut back into the box, then a beautiful little touch that set up the chance. Great finish,
Like the commentators are saying, the hydration breaks are boring for me when they do them. If the conditions need them then of course, but plenty games haven't needed one. I also think the coaching team shouldn't be allowed to talk to the players during them.
Schick miss that was bad lighting probably was an issue
Obviously there's been a lot of discussion of it already, but in the first round of games there were changes in momentum or tactics after the hydration breaks. It did play a big part in goals being scored and conceded. 18 Jun 17:03
South Africa had no real ideas for most of the game, but fair play to them for trying to make the play and having more of the ball. It was certainly a penalty, though a little harsh, and was dispatched very well.
The Czechs, on the other hand, got exactly what they deserved in my opinion. They scored a beautiful early goal and I was expecting them to build on it, but they were ultra-negative, let South Africa have the ball, and just ceded possession and hoped to sit on their lead.
It doesn't help either team really with their final hard game each to come and really them both needing to win to qualify, but at least South Africa gave it a go in the last 10 minutes.
We weren't expecting much from these two teams anyway, but congratulations to our South African players here on getting a point. Czechs were horrendous, though.
well done also to those who