1. South Africa vs. Canada
After a lackluster performance against one of the hosts in their first game South Africa turned it around and achieved the feat of getting to the knockout stage for the first time in its history. They have momentum on their side. And they get an opponent in Canada that missed a big opportunity to win its group and stay in Vancouver in front of their home crowd for its first knockout game in its history.
Other than smacking around a Qatar side that went down to nine men in the second half in their game Canada hasn't really left its mark against any meaningful competition. An uninspiring draw against a bad Bosnia team and a sound defeat at the hands of a beatable Swiss squad does not inspire confidence moving forward. They lack the players to compete at this level. With injuries piling up, a manager out of his depth, and its star striker known for disappearing in big games, Canada still has a lot to prove.
As far as the game goes, I'm expecting fireworks and a lot of goals on Sunday. Matchups involving bad teams with genuine belief they can win produce some of the best games in tournament football.
I'm going with South Africa to take this one in L.A.
Final score: South Africa wins 3-2 in extra time.
2. Brazil vs. Japan
Drawing against Morocco was a positive result for Brazil in its first game. Two of the tournament's favourites were getting their feet wet and were more than happy to get a draw.
Brazil followed that up with back to back 3-0 scorelines against Haiti and Scotland. All these games were scrimmages for Brazil. No sweat football. The tournament for Brazil starts now and the first challenger, Japan, is also undefeated.
Japan's defense is resolute, and its goal scoring prowess was evident last October when it beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly. I think we'll see the same scoreline but in reverse.
Brazil is clicking at the right time, and it has a superstar forward that Japan won't be able to contain.
Final score: Brazil beats Japan 3-2 in regulation.
3. Netherlands vs. Morocco
It's a shame these two great teams are going to meet this early in the competition. They're two of my favourite teams to watch right now. Both have balanced teams with few weaknesses, and a couple of superstars in key positions. I really can't separate them on paper. This is a gut decision. I think the physicality of the Dutch will be too much for Morocco.
This Moroccan team will probably aim for penalties and play a defensive game because they won't be able to keep up with the Netherlands attack if they choose to open it up. Holland has scored 10 goals in this tournament, which ranks first alongside Germany and France.
I believe the Netherlands will continue putting up the goals. Morocco will put up a worthy fight, but it won't be enough.
Final score: Netherlands wins 3-1.
4. USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
I'll keep this one short and sweet. No analysis needed. No background. No stats. Bosnia emerged from the weakest group in World Cup history. In a 32-team World Cup it would have been grouped. America got a very lucky break here. FIFA wants the hosts to have a lovely time this summer. This is a warm up match for the USA. Their tournament will begin in the round of 16.
Final score: USA wins 3-0.
5. Ivory Coast vs. Norway
Of all the games in the round of 32 this is probably the one I'm most looking forward to. We have two very even teams that can score goals and aren't afraid of pushing the pace of the game. There isn't a clear favourite so I'm expecting a back and forth game, with both teams trading chances.
Ivory Coast took Germany down to the wire in extra time before conceding defeat so it knows how to play against a top European team. And Norway defeated the African champions in a thriller, proving they’re more than capable of winning this game.
This game is very tough to call. Norway rested its top players in its last match, a luxury Ivory Coast did not have. That extra rest could prove to be beneficial, but at this level it's about who wants it more. And it will come down to who has the best player.
That's Norway.
Final score: Norway advances on penalties after a 2-2 draw through extra time.
6. Germany vs. Paraguay
What is there to say? Paraguay is a tough, gritty team. No one should expect they’re going to make it easy. But at this stage in the tournament it is about goals, goals, and goals. Paraguay scored twice in three matches. Enough said. Germany might score twice before halftime and then kill the game in the second half.
Final score: Germany 2-0.
7. France vs. Sweden
France should coast through to the round of 16 without a sweat. Sweden might make it interesting in the first half but France will eventually pour it on and come away with a comfortable victory.
Final score: France 4-1.
8. Argentina vs. Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde has done extremely well finishing second in its group. 3 games. 3 draws. Only 2 goals conceded. That's a great accomplishment for the small island nation. They really put their country on the map with these stellar performances. You have to zoom in for ten seconds on Google Maps to find these guys. So good on them.
But Argentina is not Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, or an unimaginative Spain that has trouble scoring goals. The ride ends here.
Final score: Argentina 5-0.
9. Australia vs. Egypt
This game is probably the most even in the round of 32. Both have good defenses. I think the fact that Egypt is undefeated and has scored in every game makes them the favourite. But this game could very well go into extra time and onwards to penalties. I'm not really confident with this pick, but I'm leaning towards Egypt.
Final score: Egypt wins 2-1 in extra time.
10. Mexico vs. Ecuador
This is an intriguing match up. Mexico will have their hands full. Scoring on this Ecuador team won't be easy, but the good thing for Mexico is all that's needed is one goal.
Ecuador would love to end this game tied 0-0 and grab a miracle win at the penalty spot. But I think Mexico is clever enough to score an early goal and then manage the game from there.
I'm expecting a dull, but intense game.
Final score: Mexico 1-0.
11. Portugal vs. Croatia
This game, which will be played in Toronto, is undoubtedly the best game of the round of 32 and has the potential to be one of the best in the entire tournament if both teams show up.
Neither team is playing brilliant football. Aging supertars feature in their starting 11. They're both lacking an identity. Croatia lost 4-2 to England. Portugal drew with Congo and Colombia in two very dry, apathetic, and slow games. But they both can still turn it around and go on a run in the knockouts.
I think this game will go the distance. Penalties will decide it.
Final score: Portugal advances via penalties.
12. Colombia vs. Ghana
Ghana did well to get here. But holding on for a draw against a feeble England, and a late goal against Panama, are not exactly confidence inspiring results.
They're a good team, sure, but Colombia is on a different level. They were robbed in their game against Portugal. They deserved a penalty in that game. They were the better team on Saturday night.
And they'll be the better team next Friday.
Final score: Colombia 3-1.
13. England vs. DR Congo
This might be the least appealing game on the whole docket. I know I picked England to win the World Cup before it started, but it was moreso for sentimental reasons than footballing ones. With the Knicks winning the championship after fifty years I thought we could see something similar with England winning the World Cup after sixty years. But this team just isn't good enough to compete with the best. And they'll probably find it difficult to beat a Congo team that's feeling good about themselves.
Congo are a hard team to break down. Colombia and Portugal only managed to get two past them combined. I think this game will feature a late winner either in regulation or in extra time. Ultimately England will get the job done and advance by the skin of their teeth but it'll be a frustrating watch.
Final score: England 1-0.
14. Belgium vs. Senegal
Now this is a game. Football is fun to watch when two bad teams or two mediocre teams face off against each other. We're getting the latter here. Both teams believe they're better than they are which means goals galore for us fans. Similar to the Ivory Coast-Norway game, both teams will trade chances in this one. And they have enough goalscorers to be threatening in the box.
Senegal conceded six goals in the group stage, three each against Norway and France. I think they'll concede three more in this game. Belgium boasts a better defense and has shown the ability in recent memory to at least make the Quarter Finals of a World Cup.
Final score: Belgium 3-1.
15. Spain vs. Austria
What would a World Cup be without an upset or two?
Hopefully we see one here.
I don't know what it is, I just don't like the way Spain play football. I can't stand this team. I didn't like them in 2010 when they last won the World Cup. I didn't like them in 2024 when they won the Euros. Now at this tournament they've gone ahead and made heroes out of Cabo Verde because of their incompetency.
This isn't a prediction. It's a wish. I just want Austria to kick these guys out as soon as possible.
Final score: Austria advances via penalties after 2-2 draw through extra time.
16. Switzerland vs. Algeria
Switzerland is another team I wouldn't mind packing their bags early in this knockout phase. There's just something about them. They're not fun to watch. And they had the easiest group so they haven't been tested. Algeria has.
I'm a big believer in momentum. Algeria had to dust themselves off after getting beaten by the champs in their first game, winning against Jordan and then securing a great draw against Austria.
What did Switzerland do to get here? Draw against a bad Qatar team, beat a bad Bosnia team, and barely hang on for a win against a Canadian team that's riddled with injuries. That's far from impressive.
I think Algeria will give them a game for the first time this tournament and they'll be shell shocked.
Final score: Algeria 4-2.
