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The FIFA World Cup 2026 has been reduced to just 16 hopefuls. The remaining nations plot to keep their dream alive by booking a spot in the quarter-finals. Which teams will deliver?
The next stage begins on Saturday afternoon UK time, as one of the host nations returns to our screens. Canada play Morocco in Houston, and The Canucks enter with high spirits following a Round of 32 victory over South Africa. Other games of note include Paraguay vs France, Brazil vs Norway, Mexico vs England, and the United States vs Belgium.
The US bookmakers featured on this page offer pre-match betting odds and markets. Flashscore users can predict the winner, pick a player to score first, take aim at the correct score, and much more.
There’s something for everyone, with new customers qualifying for a World Cup 2026 welcome bonus free bet.
Keep reading as trusted soccer betting analyst Frank Monkhouse unpacks the most important stats and trends from the Flashscore app.
Canada vs Morocco, Saturday, 13:00 ET
Our quest for a profitable Round of 16 begins at the NRG Stadium in Houston. Home of the National Football League team, the Houston Texans. The 70,000+ seater stadium will be a sea of colour, but which country will secure an important win?
Canada finished second in Group B behind Switzerland, thanks to one win, a draw, and a defeat. The Canadians were the highest scorers in the pool, hitting the net eight times, and three conceded gave them the joint-best defence.
In the Round of 32, Canada were drawn against South Africa. It was viewed as a winnable game by both, but Jesse Marsch’s men progressed thanks to a 1-0 scoreline. Eustaquio netted a dramatic winner with 92 minutes on the clock.
Canada famously thrashed Qatar 6-0 in Group B, but scored only one goal in each of their other three games. If Saturday’s match becomes a shootout, the stats favour Morocco.
The Atlas Lions arrived as the current African Cup of Nations champions. They opened with a 1-1 draw versus Brazil, before edging Scotland 1-0, and finishing Group C by hammering Haiti 4-2 in Atlanta.
Moving to the knockout rounds, Morocco continued to gather momentum by eliminating the Netherlands. That match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, before the Moroccans won 3-2 on penalties.
The results show Canada scored one goal against Bosnia, Switzerland, and South Africa. Morocco scored one goal past Brazil, Scotland, and the Netherlands. With that in mind, I’ll take a chance on both teams finding the net. You can back BTTS as a single at 11/10, but it’ll work best in small multiples, including your World Cup accumulators.
Tip: Both teams to score @ +106 (fanduel) | +110 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: Both Canada and Morocco have scored at least one goal in each of their World Cup matches. You need that trend to continue on Saturday.
Paraguay vs France, Saturday, 17:00 ET
France were among the pre-competition betting favourites with bookmakers and now play a fearless Paraguay team in Philadelphia.
Les Bleus dominated Group I with three wins from as many games. The nine points collected, with 10 goals scored and 2 conceded, was impressive. France were one of the elite few that progressed with a 100% record.
Paraguay have been more of a dark horse this summer, but fans across Planet Football have been caught up in their remarkable adventure.
One win, one draw, and a defeat, with two scored and four conceded, meant Gustavo Alfaro’s team finished in third behind the United States and Australia, qualifying as one of the best losers.
In the knockout rounds, France swept past Sweden in style, winning 3-0. That was a real show of strength from Didier Deschamps and his men, but there’s more to come. Paraguay remained in the running with a tense 4-3 penalty win over the heavily backed Netherlands.
World Cup results prove France have been the more impressive team so far. The head-to-head stats now available on the Flashscore app show they’ve never lost to Saturday’s opponents in five previous meetings. France have beaten Paraguay three times, with the other two matches finishing level.
The most recent clash was a 5-0 win for France back in 2017. They’ve met at a World Cup only twice in history, creating an aggregate score of France 8-3 Paraguay. France are shaping like a potential winner, and the numbers suggest they’ll beat Paraguay with a bit to spare. Back the French to go through in regulation time.
Tip: France win @ -600 (fanduel) | -500 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: Add France to your weekend football accumulators, and you’ll have a former World Cup winner that has never lost to Paraguay.
Brazil vs Norway, Sunday, 16:00 ET
Moving to Sunday, Brazil are strong betting favourites to send Norway home. The Samba Boys and Vikings face off at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.
Brazil were expected to win Group C, and they did just that. Carlo Ancelotti led his troops to a 1-1 draw with the African champions, Morocco, before beating both Haiti and Scotland by three goals to nil.
Moving into the knockout rounds, Brazil’s improvement continued with a battling 2-1 win over Japan. The tournament’s most successful team rode their luck in Houston but ended as deserved winners in front of a crowd of more than 68,000 fans.
Japan took the lead in the 29th minute, before Casemiro levelled. Martinelli won it with a goal at the end of the second half.
Norway made it this far by finishing second in Group I behind France, with two wins and a defeat seeing them through. Stale Solbakken’s team then beat the Ivory Coast 2-1 in Arlington, thanks to a late goal from Haaland.
Both Brazil and Norway impressed during the three-match group phase, but neither was overly convincing in their Round of 32 wins. Overall, Brazil have scored 9 goals and conceded just 2. Compare that to Norway’s tally of 10 goals scored and 8 conceded.
Here, we have a meeting between two high-scoring teams, but Brazil has the better defence, which makes a huge difference at this level. The H2H shows Brazil have never beaten Norway in two previous attempts, including a 2-1 win for the underdogs at France 98. That’ll all change here. Back Brazil to win.
Tip: Brazil win @ -120 (fanduel) | -118 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: If Brazil outscore Norway in 90 minutes, you’ll beat the bookies on this match and make a profit.
Mexico vs England, Monday, 20:00 ET
One of the most exciting games from the Last 16 pairs Mexico and England at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It’s a stunning backdrop for a match that’ll live up to the hype.
Mexico topped Group A with nine points, thanks to a 2-0 win over South Africa, a 1-0 versus South Korea, and a 3-0 against the Czech Republic. They then beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32.
England finished on top of Group L, with two wins and a draw. Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Croatia 4-2, finished goalless with Ghana, and beat Panama 2-0. They fought back from a goal down to beat DR Congo 2-1, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
Monday will be the 10th time these nations have met, with England winning 6, Mexico bagging 2 victories, and 1 game ending 0-0. That gives confidence to followers of the Three Lions, but there’s more.
The most recent game ended 3-1 to England, their fourth win in a row over their Round of 16 opponents. The stats make England a strong bet, but I’d prefer to pin our hopes on Golden Boot contender Harry Kane.
Kane has scored 72 goals for club and country since the start of the 2025/26 season. The Londoner has three goals in his last two games and five goals in four starts. Back the England striker to find the net again.
Tip: Kane to score anytime @ +140 (fanduel) | +145 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: If the free-scoring Harry Kane gets on the scoresheet against Mexico, you’ll be cheering home a profit.
USA vs Belgium, Tuesday, 20:00 ET
Moving to Tuesday, it’s anyone’s guess which set of fans will be celebrating most at Lumen Field in Seattle.
For me, the USA have been the most impressive of the host nations. They beat Paraguay 4-1, Australia 2-0, and Bosnia 2-0.
Belgium topped Group G, but haven’t been anywhere near as strong as World Cup fans expected. They drew 1-1 with Egypt and 0-0 with Iran, before beating New Zealand 5-1. Belgium then needed extra time to see off Senegal at Lumen Field in the Round of 32.
Anything can happen at this level, but I’m basing my final pick on the World Cup form. The USA have been consistent in both their attack and defence. The Stars and Stripes will also feed off a massive audience in Washington.
Tip: USA to qualify @ -110 (fanduel) | -115 (betmgm)
Bet explanation: You want to see the United States progress to the quarter-finals. This bet covers 90 minutes, extra time, and penalties.