World Cup Fixtures Today: All Day 1 World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Predictions - 4th July
Phil Agius
France have scored three times or more in eight of their last 10 games
Morocco are on an astonishing run of 33 matches unbeaten
Paraguay reached 2010 World Cup quarter-finals and lost to eventual champions Spain
The expanded World Cup field of 48 teams has been reduced by two thirds and the action gets more serious as the round of 16 fixtures begin on Saturday.
After a hectic schedule in the group stage and the round of 32 there are just two matches per day in this round and tournament favourites France are in action as the teams begin their quest for places in the quarter-finals.
Les Bleus continue their bid for a third World Cup triumph when they take on Paraguay in the second match of the day in Philadelphia, but the round begins with co-hosts Canada facing 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Houston.
Recommended bets
Morocco to win in 90 minutes vs Canada @ 8/11 with LiveScore Bet
France -2.5 on handicap vs Paraguay @ 31/20 with LiveScore Bet
Canada vs Morocco
World Cup co-hosts Canada are far from home as they head to Houston to kick off the round of 16 in Houston, Texas.
The Canadians lost the home advantage they had enjoyed in the group stage when they finished second to Switzerland in Group B, but they got the job done on their first foray into the United States when they beat South Africa 1-0 in their first knockout match.
They made hard work of that, though, coming through thanks to a 92nd-minute goal from Stephen Eustaquio, and they face a tougher test this time against a solid Morocco side.
The north African outfit were unbeaten in the group stage dispute being handed a tough opening contest against Brazil, but they came through that clash with their reputation enhanced having taken the lead in a 1-1 draw.
They beat Scotland 1-0 and Haiti 4-2 in their subsequent matches to qualify with more points than any other second-placed side and more than three group winners.
The Atlas Lions then beat one of the group winners in the round of 32, as they saw off the Netherlands in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, when they netted a dramatic late equaliser through Issa Diop.
The overall standard of Morocco's performances has been superior to Canada's and Jesse Marsch's side came up short in their hardest assignment so far when they went down 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group match.
Morocco have shown plenty of spark to date and look the correct favourites to move on for a potential quarter-final rematch against France, who knocked them out in the 2022 semi-finals in Qatar.
Score Prediction: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Back Morocco to win in 90 minutes at 8/11 with LiveScore Bet
Paraguay vs France
France have been the most impressive team so far at the World Cup and it would be a massive shock if they let themselves down in their last-16 clash against Paraguay.
Les Bleus have taken over at the top of the outright betting with some scintillating performances from their forwards, with Kylian Mbappe scoring six goals, Ousmane Dembele notching four times, Bradley Barcola striking twice and Desire Doue also on the scoresheet.
After taking nine points from group wins over Senegal, Iraq and Norway, all by margins of at least two goals, France swept away Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 and they can be hopeful of a similarly convincing result against Paraguay in Philadelphia.
The South American side finished only third in Group D, getting hammered 4-1 by the United States in their opener before beating Turkey 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Australia.
After qualifying as only the seventh-best third-placed team, they raised their game substantially in the round of 32 to knock out Germany in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
That looks likely to remain the highlight of their tournament, though and this classy Les Bleus side should not even be close to being taken to extra-time, let alone penalties.
Take Didier Deschamps' side to record their fourth successive win by three or more goals.
Score Prediction: Paraguay 0-3 France
Back France -2.5 on handicap at 31/20 with LiveScore Bet
