Larin has scored in two of his first three games at the tournament, and he’s recorded a shot on target in every match. He scored eight times in 16 Championship games for Southampton this term, and he can score his third goal of the tournament on Sunday.

Both teams scored in six of South Africa’s eight matches ahead of the tournament, and the African side have managed to find the net in their last two group games. Canada have kept one clean sheet in four, but they can strike against Bafana Bafana, who have conceded in 10 of their last 12.

Makgopa has forced his way into the South Africa side as the tournament has progressed. After a 15-minute cameo against Mexico, he had two shots on target off the bench against Czechia. That earned him a start against South Korea, where he also registered a shot on target. Makgopa had five shots across 62 minutes at the Africa Cup of Nations last winter. At the 2023 edition of the tournament, he was a key member of South Africa’s run to the semis, recording a shot on target in five of his seven appearances.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Norrby have conceded exactly two goals in three of their last four games, and two of their three matches in June have been 2-0 defeats. Norrkoping have scored exactly twice in each of their last five matches, winning 2-0 on four occasions, and they’ve got the best defensive record in the division.

Canada are backed to edge past a South African side that is ranked 60th in the world. Mexico dispatched Bafana Bafana with ease in their opener, and Canada can claim a 2-1 win if they carry over the intensity of their final 30 minutes against Switzerland.

Second-bottom Varnamo have lost five straight games, and they’ve suffered six defeats in seven matches away from home. All six of those defeats have seen them ship three or more goals, letting in 3.29 per game overall. Landskrona have scored at least twice in four straight games, while struggling to keep clean sheets this term.

Second-bottom Varnamo have lost five straight games, and they’ve suffered six defeats in seven matches away from home. All six of those defeats have seen them ship three or more goals, letting in 3.29 per game overall. Landskrona have scored at least twice in four straight games, while struggling to keep clean sheets this term.

Norrkoping have won five straight games, scoring exactly twice in each of those victories. They meet a Norrby side that has failed to score in their previous three matches, while three of the visitors’ four defeats this term have been to nil. The hosts have conceded 0.69 goals per game this term, and they can continue their fine form with a comfortable win.

Helsingborg have claimed both of their away wins this term against teams in the bottom four, and the visitors have suffered three defeats in their last six games. Sandviken have won three of their last four matches, scoring 11 times, but they’ve kept only two clean sheets all season.

Both teams scored in six of South Africa’s eight matches ahead of the tournament, and the African side have managed to find the net in their last two group games. Canada have kept one clean sheet in four, but they can strike against Bafana Bafana, who have conceded in 10 of their last 12.

Helsingborg have claimed both of their away wins this term against teams in the bottom four, and the visitors have suffered three defeats in their last six games. Sandviken have won three of their last four matches, scoring 11 times, but they’ve kept only two clean sheets all season.