The surprising elimination of giants such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Croatia has already set the stage for the 2026 World Cup, but the main course is yet to come: the Round of 16 promises breathtaking matches and some genuine battles of giants. The eight matchups are already set, with clashes that will have the football world buzzing — and others where the odds seem to clearly favor one side, at least on paper.
Among the favorites still in the competition, the French national team stands out, as they take to the field this Saturday against Paraguay. Betting houses give France an overwhelming favoritism, with odds of -525, while Paraguay comes in at a distant +1300. However, it is worth not counting out the Paraguayan team just yet, as they arrive with boosted morale after eliminating Germany. The French attack has been, by far, the most lethal in the tournament, with Kylian Mbappé just one goal behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. With a luxury attacking quartet — Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Bradley Barcola — France seems to have more than enough firepower for Paraguay, but anything can happen in a World Cup.
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Another clash that promises excitement is the match between Morocco and Canada. Morocco, the sensation of the last World Cup after reaching the semi-finals, is one step away from being able to repeat the duel with France from that stage. After eliminating the Netherlands on penalties thanks to a late goal from Issa Diop, the Moroccan team is presented as the favorite in the betting houses (-110 against +320 for Canada). Canada will finally be able to count on Alphonso Davies as a starter, after he was a substitute in the victory over South Africa. Possession is expected to belong mostly to the Africans, who completely dominated the last game, but the speed and verticality of the Canadians could surprise.
Switzerland faces Colombia in a match that is expected to be evenly matched and could swing either way. The Swiss secured their qualification by defeating Algeria 2-0, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the Round of 16. An additional advantage: they are playing in Vancouver, where they also played their last match, unlike Colombia, which was forced to make a quick trip from Kansas City. Colombia, for its part, has exceeded all expectations by winning their group, beating Portugal and frustrating the long-awaited Messi-Ronaldo showdown. Against Ghana, the South American team created eight clear chances and confirmed their status as a dangerous outsider.
The match between Argentina and Egypt gains extra shine with the presence of Lionel Messi, who continues to score in every game and now has seven goals, having netted twice against Cape Verde in an epic duel decided only in extra time. The Argentines have shown some defensive vulnerability, allowing late recoveries by opponents, as seen with Cape Verde and previously with the Netherlands and France in 2022. Egypt arrives motivated after eliminating Australia on penalties, with Mohamed Salah proving he can still make a difference in any game. “We cannot underestimate Egypt; they have quality and belief,” Messi warned at the press conference following the last match.
In the knockout match between Belgium and the United States, the main question is how the American team will react to the absence of Folarin Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun has been the driving force of the US attack, and the squad will need to find solutions to compensate for his absence. Belgium, on the other hand, had to work hard against Senegal, securing victory only in extra time thanks to a penalty converted by Youri Tielemans. Despite the aging of some of their stars, such as Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, and their physical irregularity, experience and individual quality could prove decisive. With Thibaut Courtois in goal, the Belgians maintain a slight favoritism.
The clash between Brazil and Norway brings to the pitch two of the most feared forwards in the world: Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior. Haaland has already scored five of Norway’s nine goals and is the focus of all attention from the opposing defense. On the Brazilian side, Vinícius Júnior has taken on increased responsibilities due to Raphinha’s injury, with Matheus Cunha seizing the opportunity to make his mark. Brazil faced difficulties against Japan in the previous round, so Norway could be an even more demanding test for a Brazilian midfield that sometimes appears vulnerable.
The Iberian clash between Spain and Portugal is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated matches. Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke his scoring drought in knockout games, netting a goal in the victory against Croatia. For many, this could be the Portuguese captain’s last World Cup. Spain arrives in high spirits after defeating Austria 3-0 and scoring eight goals in their last three matches, even without Lamine Yamal at his best. Portugal, despite an inconsistent group stage, has appeared more dangerous in attack with Rafael Leão in the starting eleven. However, the Ronaldo dilemma persists: does the team become predictable by constantly seeking the veteran forward?
Finally, the clash between England and Mexico is shrouded in controversy. The English national team is unhappy about playing at the Estadio Azteca, over 2,000 meters above sea level, against a Mexico side that knows the conditions well. Both teams have protested against the possibility of FIFA moving the kickoff to noon to avoid the typical thunderstorms in Mexico City. Mexico boasts four victories and is buoyed by fervent support, while English fans dominated the stands in the matches held in the USA. The pressure is immense for both: Mexico has not reached the quarter-finals since 1986, while England is chasing a title that has eluded them since 1966.
The anticipation for the Round of 16 is extremely high, with a lot at stake for the top national teams. The coming days will determine who stays in the title race and who sees their dream end prematurely. With stars like Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Ronaldo, and Salah still in contention, anything can happen. The outcome of these matches will be decisive for the direction of the 2026 World Cup, and there will certainly be no shortage of surprises and stories to tell.
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