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.

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.

Cubas has managed to avoid a caution at this tournament, but he’s racked up plenty of fouls, committing five apiece against the USA and Turkey. With Germany expected to dominate, back him for more fouls in this last 32 clash.

Saibari has 10 shots through three matches at this tournament, scoring in every game. Morocco are playing with more attacking edge at this tournament, and Saibari can get a few chances in this clash against a Dutch side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 2026.

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.

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.

Joe Casey: Mexico were faultless in their three group games, winning all three without conceding. Ecuador finished second in South American qualifying, conceding just five times in 18 games, but they have struggled going forward. Just one goal might be enough to decide this clash.

Steve Davies: The Aussies have looked seriously limited thus far, somehow beating Turkey despite losing the shot count by 21 and were then played off the park for an hour by the US. Egypt went through their group schedule unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Belgium arguably the pick of their results, and in all honesty they were unlucky not to win.

Tom Hill: Senegal look good value to beat Belgium in the last 32, despite only winning one of their group games. Senegal outclassed Iraq in a 5-0 success and Belgium did not exactly impress with two draws against Egypt and Iran.

James Mason: Norway impressed in their first two World Cup matches, beating Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2. While attack is not a concern for Norway, they are less certain in defence and have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten games.

Enda McElhinney: Aside from thrashing Uzbekistan, it has been an underwhelming tournament for Portugal. Croatia showed for 45 minutes against England they remain a competent side, and they can cause problems for a dysfunctional team.

Aaron Rogan: Both teams have scored in all nine of Sweden’s matches under Graham Potter, and this feels like the end of the line for a Swedish side that finished bottom of their qualifying group. Sweden’s attacking talent should see them continue their scoring form, particularly as France haven’t looked great defensively. The French have conceded in eight of their last nine games, failing to keep clean sheets against Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland and a second-string Norway side.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.