2026 World Cup Round of 32 Predictions, Picks for Knockout Round

The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 is underway, and thanks to FIFA's expanded format, some of the most compelling matchups of the tournament are arriving earlier than ever.

With three matches to choose from throughout each weekday, there's no shortage of star power packed into each slate. Which bouts could add to the excitement the most?

Below, we'll break down our best picks for the opening knockout round, including match winners, total goals, spreads, and other top markets on PrizePicks Team Picks.

Make your 2026 World Cup Round of 32 predictions on PrizePicks now!

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Netherlands vs. Morocco Round of 32 Picks

Date: Monday, June 29

Kickoff Time: 9:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, México

Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks: Netherlands to Win – 2.17x | Total Goals Over 2.5 – 2.12x | Both Teams to Score – Yes 1.75x | Spread – Netherlands -1.5: Yes 4.34x

Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.

Team Picks markets are settled after full-time (90 minutes + stoppage). Extra time and penalties are not included.

The Netherlands has extended its remarkable streak of reaching the knockout stage at every World Cup they've participated in. Oranje come into the Round of 32 unbeaten, scoring a World Cup-high 10 goals in their first three matches.

Led by breakout ST Brian Brobbey, the Dutch attack looks dangerous and now aims to continue its red-hot form.

The Group F winners are set to face the Group C runners-up, Morocco, later tonight. The Atlas Lions have now reached the knockout stage in back-to-back World Cups after getting there just once before in 1984. The road to matching their 2022 fourth-place finish is a long one, and it begins with a heavyweight clash.

While Morocco's attack wasn't as potent as the Netherlands' during the group stage, Mohamed Ouahbi's side still imposed their style en route to an unbeaten group campaign. The Atlas Lions dominated possession and limited their opponents’ offensive output, allowing just 1 big chance per game.

The Netherlands, which had 5 big chances in its last two matches alone, may pose a bigger threat to Morocco's style of play than any other team has up to this point.

Morocco's 2022 run, which included knockout victories over Spain and Portugal as significant underdogs, may give its supporters genuine belief that anything is possible. The African side must focus on limiting the Netherlands’ potent attack and pushing this match as far as possible — potentially into a penalty shootout, where an upset is more achievable.

Netherlands vs. Morocco Over 2.5 Goals: No – 1.66x | Yes – 2.12x

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Mexico vs. Ecuador Round of 32 Picks

Date: Tuesday, June 30

Kickoff Time: 9:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks: Mexico to Win – 2.08x | Total Goals Over 1.5 – 1.58x | Both Teams to Score – Yes 2.22x | Spread – Mexico -1.5: Yes 4.34x

Mexico returns to the World Cup knockout rounds after failing to advance from the group stage in 2022. The Group A winners dominated their opponents en route to three straight victories and are one of two teams to have not conceded a goal during the opening round.

While there have been questions about the level of competition Mexico faced in Group A, El Tri will have a chance to put any doubt to rest with a win over Ecuador on Tuesday evening.

The South American side enters as significant underdogs in its first knockout stage match since 2006. The group stage wasn’t exactly pretty, but Ecuador managed to qualify for the Round of 32 after a monumental win over Germany on Matchday 3 as the third-placed team in Group E.

Ecuador’s attack, or lack thereof, continues to be the main point of concern for the CONMEBOL squad heading into the knockout rounds. 

Ecuador’s 2 goals scored on Matchday 3 were the first of the competition for the South Americans. They now face a defense that has not conceded to this point and will be playing on their home turf at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Sebastian Beccacece’s side has to be much better at converting the chances that do come their way and continue to play the suffocating defense that got them to this point. 

Mexico will now be tasked with breaking down one of South America's strongest defensive units on Tuesday evening. El Tri averaged 2 goals per game in group play but has struggled against Ecuador outside the World Cup recently. These teams met at the 2024 Copa America in a 0-0 draw and, more recently, in a friendly late last year that ended 1-1.

Given the quality of defense leading up to this match, perhaps this match stays knotted after 90 minutes and heads into extra time and potentially penalties.

Mexico vs. Ecuador Regulation Tie: Yes – 2.77x

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Portugal vs. Croatia Round of 32 Picks

Date: Thursday, July 2

Kickoff Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Venue: BMO Field, Toronto

Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks: Portugal to Win – 1.72x | Total Goals Over 2.5 – 2.08x | Both Teams to Score – Yes 1.92x | Spread – Portugal -1.5: Yes 3.12x

To the surprise of many, Portugal finished as Group K runners-up after winning one game and drawing the other two. The Seleção das Quinas’ path to winning its first World Cup has now become much harder and starts with a difficult matchup against Croatia.

Both sides have been two of Europe’s strongest teams for over a decade and will now meet at the World Cup for the first time ever. 

We most recently saw these two teams face off in the UEFA Nations League back in 2024. Portugal won the first match 2-1, and the two drew the second 1-1, setting us up for Thursday’s match. Croatia, which finished as Group L runners-up, continues to perform year after year despite being counted out by many. Z

latko Dalić’s side won its final two matches of the group stage after losing the opener 4-2 to England. 

The two squads field immense experience, with captains and former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo having played in 11 World Cups combined and both debuting in the competition in 2006. We may see a very tactical, calculated approach from both teams as they seek to avoid mistakes.

Apart from Portugal’s 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan, neither of these teams has looked particularly dangerous in attack. That could remain the same on Thursday evening.

This shapes up as an intriguing tactical battle between two veteran sides with similar approaches. It’s hard to foresee either keeping a clean sheet in a match between two teams that know each other so well. 

Portugal vs. Croatia Both Teams to Score: Yes – 1.92x | No – 1.81x

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Make 2026 World Cup Round of 32 Picks on PrizePicks

The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 has already kicked off, and we'll see three matches daily until Friday, July 3. Which games could provide the most thrilling action?

You can make your 2026 World Cup Round of 32 picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money on World Cup games. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats like shots or goals, and cash in if you're correct.

With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.

Make sure to visit Playbook to see more World Cup predictions, picks, injury updates, and lineups for every knockout-stage game to come.