World Cup Fixtures Today: All Day 2 World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Predictions - 29th June
Nathan Evans
Brazil have been eliminated in four of their last six World Cup knockout stage matches
Japan are looking to advance for the first time in what will be their fifth World Cup knockout match
This is Germany’s first World Cup knockout match since they won the 2014 final against Argentina
Three previous meetings between Netherlands and Morocco have all finished 2-1
Brazil reached the Round of 32 by winning Group C on goal difference from Morocco, after drawing with the Atlas Lions before beating Haiti and Scotland with ease.
Their reward is a clash with Japan in Houston, and having lost just one of their 14 internationals against the Samurai Blue, the South American giants will be confident of progressing to the next stage.
Group E victors Germany take on Paraguay in their round-of-32 matchup, the second time that they have faced the South American side at a World Cup after claiming a 1-0 victory at the last-16 stage in 2002.
The day's action is completed by what could easily be the tie of the round as the Netherlands take on 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Guadalupe, with all previous meetings between the two having finished 2-1 to the designated away team.
Recommended Bets
Brazil to win and both teams to score @ 13/5
Netherlands vs Morocco - Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Brazil vs Japan (Monday, 6pm)
After beating Haiti and Scotland and drawing with top-10 ranked Morocco in their group stage campaign, five-time World Cup winners Brazil made something of a statement to the rest of the teams in the competition.
In those three matches, Carlo Ancelotti’s team netted seven goals and conceded just one, with forwards Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior shining in particular with the pair netting each of their nation’s goals between them.
Similar attacking firepower will be needed as they face Japan in their round-of-32 clash, a side whom they have lost to just once in 14 previous meetings.
Samurai Blue may be fearing a similar outcome but they themselves enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage showing to finish second in Group F behind the Netherlands.
Having also netted seven goals in the process, they look good for getting on the scoresheet but with Brazil’s overall quality and depth, backing the Selecao to win and both teams to score looks appealing.
Brazil to win and both teams to score @ 13/5
Score prediction: Brazil 2-1 Japan
Germany vs Paraguay (Monday, 9:30pm)
After claiming top spot in Group E despite their defeat to Ecuador in their final group match, Germany will play in their first World Cup knockout round match since the 2014 World Cup final.
It has been a long time coming for the four-time winners who will be looking to win a record-equalling fifth title this summer, although the fact that they have progressed from each of their last five knockout matches against South American opponents may put them at ease before facing Paraguay this time around.
That will hardly serve as music to the ears of Paraguay, who go to Foxborough for their first World Cup knockout round match since 2010.
What remains problematic for Gustavo Alfaro’s side though is their relative lack of goalscoring, netting just two goals in the group games to qualify as one of the lowest scoring sides to reach this stage.
They look set to struggle to break down a superior Germany outfit, and Die Mannschaft can advance with the minimum of fuss.
Score prediction: Germany 2-0 Paraguay
Netherlands vs Morocco (Tuesday, 2am)
The Netherlands were a little slow to get going in this tournament but appear to be coming to the boil nicely, following up a 2-2 with Japan by routinely dispatching Sweden (5-1) and Tunisia (3-1) to top Group F. Morocco started off with a draw themselves but were arguably the better side in their 1-1 stalemate with Brazil, while their 1-0 win over Scotland could have been a little more convincing too. Haiti gave them something of a fright in the group finale by twice taking the lead, but the attacking shackles were released as they powered to a 4-2 win in the end to claim second spot in group C, and set up this mouth-watering clash in Guadalupe, between seventh and sixth in the FiFA rankings. That little extra depth in the squad appears to be with the Netherlands but there are a number of ways to play this, and there certainly looks a case for going down the goal route. Ronald Koeman's men banged in 10 goals in their three group games but were unable to secure a clean sheet, and have not shut out an opponent in any of their last seven games. While Morocco were not as prolific in the group games, scoring six goals, they can certainly contribute to a high-scoring clash after showcasing their threat with four goals in their finale. All three previous matches between these two have ended 2-1 and both teams scoring is certainly worth considering, as does a similar correct score. However, there is enough juice in backing at least three goals to be scored one way or another.
Netherlands vs Morocco - Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Score prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Morocco
