World Cup 2026 Ramblings - R16 Is Where The Fun Starts

The final 16 teams are freshly out today! And it's getting more exciting! Come to think to it, this means 32 out of 48 teams have been eliminated already.

Let's review my Round of 32 prediction to see how many I got right.

• South Africa vs Canada: South Africa to win - WRONG
• Netherlands vs Morocco: Draw at full time, Netherlands to advance after extra time/penalties - WRONG
• Germany vs Paraguay: Germany to win - WRONG
• France vs Sweden: France to win - CORRECT
• Belgium vs Senegal: Draw at full time, Belgium to advance after extra time/penalties - CORRECT
• USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: USA to win - CORRECT
• Spain vs Austria: Spain to win - CORRECT
• Portugal vs Croatia: Croatia to win - WRONG
• Brazil vs Japan: Brazil to win - CORRECT
• Ivory Coast vs Norway: Draw at full time, Norway to advance after extra time/penalties - WRONG
• Mexico vs Ecuador: Mexico to win - CORRECT
• England vs Congo: England to win - CORRECT
• Switzerland vs Algeria: Switzerland to win - CORRECT
• Colombia vs Ghana: Colombia to win - CORRECT
• Australia vs Egypt: Egypt to win - WRONG (almost)
• Argentina vs Cape Verde: Argentina to win - WRONG (almost)

Total: 9 out of 16 correct based on full time result, 11 out of 16 correct if we include eventual winners like Egypt and Argentina

Not exactly great, but I would say it's pretty average. Haha.

Once again, just purely for entertainment, let's try to predict the outcome of the Round of 16 matches! For easy evaluation, I will just pick the winning team regardless at full time or extra time or penalties.

Canada vs Morocco

Wow, too interesting teams and two teams that I underestimated in the Round of 32 matches. I would inclined to go with Canada because they have a semi home advantage considering that US is just beside. Canada to win.

Paraguay vs France

Paraguay did a upset against Germany but France is on another level. Maybe a scare, but I am sure France will progress. France to win.

USA vs Belgium

Ah tricky one. Belgium somehow always struggles in major tournaments despite their world rankings, and with home advantage, I continue to believe USA will win. USA to win.

Portugal vs Spain

Portugal has been quite lucky I must say, and their performances against Colombia and Croatia haven't been superb so Spain should go through as the better team. Spain to win.

Brazil vs Norway

With Haaland's form, I am not sure if a Brazil win is assured here, despite what the odds at the bookies suggest. I think Norway has the capability to steal an upset, and with Germany and Netherlands crashing out in the earlier rounds, I think Brazil might be the next big casualty. Norway to win.

Mexico vs England

This is the last World Cup match to be played in Mexico, and the local crowd will do their very best to help their team get to the quarter finals. Mexico haven't conceded a single goal so far over 4 matches and I think they have enough to give their local crowd something to celebrate and remember! Mexico to win.

Switzerland vs Colombia

Both teams are quietly delivering wins after wins and they can take pride with how their teams are performing. But with knock out teams, only one team can progress and I think Colombia is the real dark horse this time round. They played so well against Portugal and Ghana and I think they enough to go far. Colombia to win.

Argentina vs Egypt

Argentina survived quite a bit of scare, but credit to Cape Verde for performing so well in this tournament. It's back to business for Messi and his teammates. Argentina to win.

So there you have it! Let's see how good or bad my predictions will turn out! What do you think?