Japan have lost only one of their last 16 international games, which includes a 3-2 victory over Brazil in October. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were poor against Morocco, and they could struggle against a Japan side that beat Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup.

Paraguay were outplayed in all three group games, including a 4-1 hammering at the hands of the USA. Germany have scored 38 goals across their last 12 matches, and they can rack up a few in a straightforward win, considering the quality they have at their disposal.

The Dutch scored 10 times in the group stage, but they haven’t kept a clean sheet across seven matches in 2026. Morocco have scored in eight straight games, but they’ve struggled for clean sheets in that run. The Atlas Lions beat Haiti 4-2 in their last game, so goals should be on the cards here.

American ace Taylor Fritz reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last season, losing out to Carlos Alcaraz, and he’s warmed up with runs to the final in both Stuttgart and Halle, which should have him spot on for a tilt at a first Grand Slam title.

Despite having the powerful groundstrokes for grass, Keys has flattered to deceive at Wimbledon, but she impressed in winning the Eastbourne title last week and her draw could really open up if she can get past likely third-round opponent Amanda Anisimova.

Vinicius Jr has scored in all three games at this tournament, scoring four times in total. He’s scored 10 goals across his last 11 matches for club and country.

Japan are capable of getting on the scoresheet in this clash, but six of their last eight World Cup matches have finished with both teams scoring. The pair shared five goals in October, and six of Brazil’s last eight matches have seen BTTS land.

Germany have kept only one clean sheet in 2026, conceding exactly once in four of their last five victories. Paraguay have scored in seven of their last eight matches, and they can net a consolation goal.

The Dutch scored 10 times in the group stage, but they haven’t kept a clean sheet across seven matches in 2026. Morocco have scored in eight straight games, but they’ve struggled for clean sheets in that run. The Atlas Lions beat Haiti 4-2 in their last game, so goals should be on the cards here.

Vinicius Jr has scored in all three games at this tournament, scoring four times in total. He’s scored 10 goals across his last 11 matches for club and country.

Wirtz has a joint-eight eight shots for Germany at this tournament, ranking third across the squad for xG generated. He has recorded an assist in two of his three appearances, and he’s netted three times for his national side in 2026.

Saibari has scored in all three group games, and he can continue that scoring streak with Morocco looking sharp in the final third.

Paraguay were outplayed in all three group games, including a 4-1 hammering at the hands of the USA. Germany have scored 38 goals across their last 12 matches, and they can rack up a few in a straightforward win, considering the quality they have at their disposal. However, Germany have kept only one clean sheet in 2026, conceding exactly once in four of their last five victories. Paraguay have scored in seven of their last eight matches, and they can net a consolation goal.

Paraguay were outplayed in all three group games, including a 4-1 hammering at the hands of the USA. Germany have scored 38 goals across their last 12 matches, and they can rack up a few in a straightforward win, considering the quality they have at their disposal. 10 of Germany’s last 12 fixtures have featured at least three goals.

Germany have kept only one clean sheet in 2026, conceding exactly once in four of their last five victories. Paraguay have scored in seven of their last eight matches, and they can net a consolation goal.

The Netherlands drew 2-2 in their opening group game against Japan, and they failed to beat both Ecuador and Algeria in their warm-up matches. Morocco haven’t lost within 90 minutes across their last 34 games, and the Dutch haven’t been beaten in normal time at this tournament since a loss to Portugal 20 years ago.

The Dutch scored 10 times in the group stage, but they haven’t kept a clean sheet across seven matches in 2026. Morocco have scored in eight straight games, but they’ve struggled for clean sheets in that run. The Atlas Lions beat Haiti 4-2 in their last game, so goals should be on the cards here.

Spain are the current favourites and seem set for a deep run at the World Cup. La Roja also have a kind draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia joining them in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona in 28 games and is among the contenders to top the World Cup 2026 scoring charts.

Portugal have landed in a winnable group alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Winning that group would give them a softer run in the early knockout rounds, before a potential meeting with Argentina in the quarter-finals. They beat hosts Germany 2-1 in the Nations League semis before triumphing over Spain, and edging those big clashes suggests they could become the ninth country to win the World Cup.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Kylian Mbappe finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and he scored five goals in four games during qualifying. France are among the tournament favourites and are likely to reach the latter stages and they will face Iraq, Senegal and Norway in the group stages, so Mbappe may be able to score a few goals in the earlier rounds.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Julian Alvarez has developed a reputation as a striker who raises his levels in cup competitions having scored 22 goals in 32 Champions League games for current club Atletico Madrid and Manchester City across the last three seasons. Argentina will face Algeria, Jordan and Austria in the group stages, so Alvarez could grab a few goals in the group phase and that makes him a contender to top the scoring charts.

Rayan Cherki had 12 Premier League assists for Manchester City this season and he also provided a further four in 11 games across their EFL Cup and FA Cup successes. France have an incredible attacking line-up and Cherki will be picking out passes for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue.

In terms of technical ability Neuer is right up there with the best stoppers of all time and the fact he is now playing for a fairly average Germany side, by their standards anyway, could actually work in his favour in the battle for Golden Glove honours as he may have more saves to make and more work in terms of organising his defence.

Lamine Yamal is the most exciting attacking talent in a strong Spain side and he has a habit of scoring eye-catching goals, those attributes can be key in deciding where the player of the tournament award ends up.

Erling Haaland had 16 goals in eight games over qualifying and enjoyed another excellent season domestically with 38 goals across all competitions. Haaland’s Norway face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage and he could reach four goals in those three games alone.

Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign. European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago. There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.

Henry: Brazil lack the legs and tempo to expose disciplined defensive performances and that will be even more apparent with Raphinha now missing through injury. Scotland have a chance to dig in and make history by nicking this Miami contest.

Aaron: Ecuador have suffered one defeat in their last 21 internationals, and that was courtesy of an added-time winner in their tournament opener against the Ivory Coast. Given how a full-strength Germany side toiled in their second game, Ecuador are good value to at least avoid defeat in their final match.

Tom: South Korea still need to get a result to ensure they secure second spot in Group A and they should be able to rack up the goals against South Africa. South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in round one, while they were unlucky not to score against Mexico.

Aidan: The Dutch have scored seven goals in two games and can follow up their 5-1 thrashing of Sweden by picking up another high-scoring victory, which would also boost their hopes of securing top spot in the process.

Gareth: Paraguay were well beaten by the USA in their opener and then managed a smash-and-grab win over Turkiye. I’d argue Australia performed better in both of their games against those sides, hurting Turkiye on the counter and then putting USA under pressure late on after falling behind. A point would probably suit both sides but that isn’t really the Aussie way and they look backable as underdogs here.

Alex: Japan were clinical as they dismantled Tunisia last time out and were good value for their draw with the Oranje. With top spot still up for grabs in Group F, Samurai Blue can get the points against a Sweden side that were fortunate to qualify for the competition in the first place.

Warren: In Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa and Real Betis’ Cedric Bakambu, DR Congo have two top-class forward players who will prove a real handful for the Uzbek backline.