The 2026 World Cup knockout stage is here with the last 32 teams now in the mix for glory at this summer's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The group stage has largely gone to plan for the major nations, with Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay the most surprising casualty, while minnows Cape Verde produced a major shock in reaching the last 32.
Co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada have all progressed to the second stage, though Jesse Marsch's Maple Leafs have lost home advantage and must travel to Los Angeles to face South Africa.
The USA will tackle Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the next round, while Mexico's path is blocked by Ecuador.
As the round of 32 gets under way here are our picks, predictions, & best bets for this phase of the 23rd edition of soccer's biggest international showcase.
Round of 32 betting picks and predictions
Netherlands to beat Morocco & both teams to score (+375)
Perhaps the standout game of this round, the Netherlands face Morocco in Monterrey, with both nations currently ranked inside FIFA's top 10.
Ronald Koeman saw his Dutch side score 10 goals in three games but the Oranje are without a clean sheet in seven attempts.
Morocco have played six games since late May, scoring 16 goals, and their opening game showed they can cope with the best as they drew 1-1 with Brazil.
The Atlas Lions were semi-finalists in 2022 but the Netherlands have won five of six World Cup games against African opponents and they can outscore Morocco.
Norway to beat Ivory Coast (+100)
Norway won their first two games before opting to rest many of their stars for the 4-1 defeat to France as they had secured a top-two finish in any scenario.
Stale Solbakken will reinstate the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth now and the Vikings can take care of Ivory Coast in Texas.
Only a late Amad Diallo goal won the day against Ecuador and, after losing to Germany, the Ivorians took care of business against minnows Curacao.
Haaland hit four goals in the games against Iraq and Senegal and the Manchester City marksman can pave the way for a Norwegian victory.
Mexico to beat Ecuador (+120)
Mexico cruised through the group stage with three wins, scoring six goals without conceding. Javier Aguirre's team are in a good place and face an Ecuador side that may find it hard to follow up their shock win over Germany in New Jersey.
The Germans had one eye already on the knockouts and Ecuador's lack of goals from their qualifying run was in evidence again as they failed to find the net against Ivory Coast or Curacao.
Mexico are defending well themselves and one goal might be more than enough to seal their progress to a meeting with either England or Senegal in the last 16.
Croatia to beat Portugal (+375)
Portugal are heavy favorites to beat Croatia but it might not pay to underestimate the 2018 runners-up.
Croatia made the last four in Qatar and for all of Portugal's star quality, manager Roberto Martinez is leaning excessively on 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo – who played every minute in the group stage.
They thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in between draws with DR Congo and Colombia and there is little doubt that Croatia have guile and experience to make life very tough for Portugal.
Zlatko Dalic's side appear overpriced for an upset victory in Toronto, especially with Ronaldo seemingly set to hold his place in the side no matter what.
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Switzerland to beat Algeria (-118)
Switzerland have the hallmarks of a team getting better with each game. They were caught cold by Qatar in their opening 1-1 draw but responded with wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as co-hosts Canada in Vancouver.
They now face an Algerian side that progressed despite conceding seven goals in three games and having had to come from behind to beat Jordan.
The excellent Breel Embolo has two goals and two assists in his last four games for the Swiss and they have a great chance to progress as they face a side that collapsed in their Africa Cup of Nations knockout game against Nigeria in January.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
