The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular so far and with the first knockout round almost up, we can look forward to a mouthwatering round of 16 fixture list.
The World Cup changed its format to include 48 teams for the first time, which brought forth an inaugural round of 32.
The FIFA World Cup Round of 16 is shaping up to be one of the strongest knockout rounds in recent history, with several heavyweight clashes already confirmed.
Thirteen Round of 32 matches have been completed, while three final places will be decided after Argentina vs Cape Verde, Australia vs Egypt, and Colombia vs Ghana.
Heavyweights such as Germany and Netherlands were the biggest upsets of the knockout round, being dumped out by minnows Paraguay and Morocco respectively.
ALSO READ: Canada vs Morocco prediction: World Cup round of 16 preview, team news, key stats & h2h
There are a couple of favorites still left in the tournament with 2018 winners France and Spain headlining the list of potential finalists. With a few upsets already shaking up the tournament, there a few betting angles that can be explored in the round of 16.
2010 winners Spain will battle it out against Portugal who are seeking a first ever title, in one of the heavyweight fixtures of the next knockout stage. Picking an outright winner here may be difficult, hence looking into other betting options for the game.
With eight mouthwatering matches to look forward to in the round of 16, we assess different betting angles for the different array of matches lined up.
Home / Draw / Away (1 X 2)
From the confirmed round of 16 matches, none provide an obvious option for an outright winner.
France have been the most in-form side in the competition, winning all of their matches – scoring 13 goals and conceding just two so far. Kylian Mbappe leads the scoring charts alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi with six goals.
They face a Paraguay side who are unbeaten in their last three games since losing their opening game 4-1 to co-hosts USA.
Despite them knocking heavyweights Germany out of the tournament, their journey is likely to end here. France are favorites to win and book a place in the quarterfinals for a third successive tournament.
Over 1.5 goals
Only one game in the round of 32 has produced less than two goals so far, when co-hosts Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the first match. Every other game has had over 1.5 goals, and this trend is likely to continue through to the last 16.
Spain and Belgium both scored three goals in their victories against Austria and Senegal.
Brazil, Portugal, Switzerland and Mexico each scored two goals in their wins and are likely to continue their scoring streaks in their selective knockout games.
Erling Haaland’s Norway have scored an impressive 13 goals in four games but face an uphill battle when they play five-time winners Brazil in their selective knockout round of 32.
The odds favor these games to produce over 1.5 goals.
Both teams to score (GG)
Despite scoring 13 goals, Norway have also let in eight goals and against Brazil they are tipped to concede as well. This game is more than likely to see both teams getting on the scoresheet.
England also come into the round of 16 unbeaten and have conceded three goals in the tournament so far. They are up against co-hosts Mexico who have not conceded a goal in this summers’ edition.
The Three Lions have been dependent on talisman Harry Kane, who became England’s all-time goalscorer in the World Cup. The Captain’s brace was enough to eliminate Congo in the round of 32.
Mexico have scored eight goals in their four games and are tipped as favorites to get at least one goal in this match.
The match between Portugal and Spain is also a hot option for both teams to score, with either side averaging two goals a game at the World Cup.
Another unbeaten side in Belgium will take on co-hosts USA in another match that is expected to produce goals. The Americans have scored in every match they have played in the competition but have also let in four.
The Belgians only failed to score in a barren draw against Egypt but have managed eight goals in the competition. They are tipped to score at least once against the host nation.
Round of 16 confirmed fixtures:
Saturday, July 4
- Canada vs Morocco – 8PM – NRG Stadium
Sunday, July 5
- Paraguay vs France – 12AM – Lincoln Financial Field
- Brazil vs Norway – 11PM – MetLife Stadium
Monday, July 6
- Mexico vs England – 3AM – Estadio Banorte
- Portugal vs Spain – 10PM – AT&T Stadium
Tuesday, July 7
- USA vs Belgium – 3AM – Lumen Field