World Cup 2026 Tips & Predictions

A genuine last-32 heavyweight. Belgium still carry serious quality in the final third, while Senegal have the athleticism and power to go toe to toe. Both sides can hurt the other, and with a knockout place on the line neither will want to over-commit early. Belgium edge the quality but Senegal are more than capable of dragging this to extra time, so both teams scoring is the standout angle.

Co-hosts USA have the crowd behind them in Santa Clara and the legs to press high. Bosnia, still leaning on Edin Džeko’s know-how, will look to slow the game down and frustrate. Home advantage and energy in midfield make the USA the pick, though Bosnia are awkward opponents who carry a set-piece threat.

Spain are many people’s pick to win the tournament and have the individual brilliance to break down any block, with Lamine Yamal the standout. Austria are organised and dangerous from set pieces but a clear level below in attack. Spain should control possession and win with a cushion; the margin depends on how early they find the opener.

A tie between two well-drilled, defence-first sides. Switzerland are typically hard to beat in tournament football, and Algeria have the individual quality to nick a goal on the counter. Neither tends to throw caution to the wind in a knockout, so a cagey, low-scoring affair that could edge towards extra time looks the likeliest outcome.

Egypt, driven by Mohamed Salah, start narrow favourites against an Australia side that is organised, fit and hard to break down. The Socceroos will sit deep and make Egypt work for it, so patience is the theme. Salah is the obvious route into the goals for the side likely to force the issue.

Colombia, built around the creativity of James Rodríguez and the pace of Luis Díaz, are strong favourites against a Ghana side that will compete but is short of the same quality in the final third. Colombia’s edge in class should tell in a game they are expected to control.

Co-hosts Mexico close the weekend at the iconic Estadio Azteca, where altitude and a fervent home crowd are a genuine weapon. Their opponent is the winner of England v DR Congo — most likely England, who would start favourites but find the Azteca a serious test. Our early lean is that Mexico at home are underrated here; a Double Chance or Draw No Bet on Mexico holds appeal. Full pick published once the tie is confirmed on 1 July.

A potential last-16 heavyweight in Dallas. The Portugal/Croatia winner meets the Spain/Austria winner, and on current form a Spain v Portugal blockbuster is the likeliest outcome. If that lands, Spain would rate slight favourites against a Portugal side missing nothing in attack. We will confirm the tie and our pick once the Round of 32 completes on 2 July.

The USA/Bosnia winner faces the Belgium/Senegal winner in Seattle, a tie that could hand the co-hosts a very winnable route to the quarter-finals if the USA come through. Both feeder ties are played on 1 July, so this one is confirmed early — full pick to follow the moment both are settled.

The holders’ likely route. The Argentina/Cape Verde winner meets the Australia/Egypt winner, with an Argentina v Egypt tie the strong probability. Argentina would start clear favourites, though Egypt with Salah always carry a threat. Confirmed once both feeder ties are played on 3 July.

The Switzerland/Algeria winner meets the Colombia/Ghana winner in Vancouver, one of the more open ties in the bracket with no obvious heavyweight. Colombia are the highest-rated side across the four and would fancy their route through. Full pick once the Round of 32 completes on 3 July.