World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Predictions: June 29

Following a light introduction to the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with only one match on the first game day, things pick up with three teams advancing in matches scheduled to be played on Monday, June 29. Brazil won its final two matches by identical 3-0 scores to advance as the Group C winner.

Though Morocco tied Brazil in points, a smaller goal differential relegated them to second place. The top two teams in Group C will play the top two teams in Group F. Brazil takes on second place Japan, which didn’t lose a group stage finishing with five points, and is considered a dark horse sleeper. Netherlands clinched the Group F title beating Tunisia in its final group stage match.

What Is the Round of 32 in the World Cup?

Soccer historians and experts might be asking, what is the Round of 32 at the World Cup? The Round of 32 is a completely new stage added when the World Cup field was expanded from 32 to 48 nations for this tournament. It serves as the first round of the knockout stage with the winners of the single-elimination matches advancing to the Round of 16.

How Teams Advance to the Round of 32

• Teams can advance to the Round of 32 in one of three ways.
• Group stage winners and second place clubs from each of the 12 groups (24 total) qualify automatically.
• To fill out the field the eight third place teams with the best records also earn a spot in the Round of 32.

How the World Cup Round of 32 Bracket Works

• The World Cup Round of 32 bracket is determined by how clubs finish during the 3-match group stage.
• Teams fall into pre-assigned slots on the bracket depending on whether they finished first, second or as a best third-place team.
• Group winners are slotted against teams that had a worse finish. The wildcards are paired with eight group winners.

World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Matches Today

The Round of 32 at World Cup 2026 gets started in earnest on Monday, June 29 with three matches on the docket. As of this writing two of the matches have been confirmed with group stage winners Netherlands and Brazil preparing for their next opponent. Germany’s shocking loss in the group stage finale didn’t affect their standing as Group E winner. The Germans will face one of the eight third-place teams with most advanced predictors putting Paraguay in the spot.

Five-time World Cup champion Brazil finished group play with convincing wins over Scotland and Haiti and has a tough draw with Japan in the first match of the day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET in Houston. Germany is sure to be a big World Cup odds favorite against whoever they play. In what is likely to be the most competitive match of the day Netherlands takes on Morocco after both secured seven points in group play.

Today’s Round of 32 World Cup Predictions

The new Round of 32 World Cup format adds one more hurdle for teams’ to clear in order to reach their final destination. Despite the additional layer the teams that were expected to advance did just that with pre-tournament group favorites Netherlands, Germany and Brazil all qualifying first and World Cup Round of 32 predictions has them reaching the next step.

Brazil vs. Japan Prediction and Preview

This will be a true clash of styles that is often seen in the World Cup. Brazil’s individual attacking brilliance spearheaded by Vinicius Junior is among the best in the world. Brazil must crack a cohesive defensive low-block that often leads to rapid Japan counterattacks.  Back-to-back 3-nil wins in the group stage showed the Brazilians are ready for the challenge overcoming a disturbing opening group play draw.

Germany vs. Paraguay Prediction and Preview

Many World Cup experts have predicted Paraguay as the Group E winner’s opponent. Whatever team takes the field it’s up to Germany to clean up defensive miscues that cost them in a shocking 2-1 loss to Ecuador. The outcome was moot since Germany had already secured the top seed in the group. In games that mattered Germany was stout, beating Curacao and Ivory Coast by a combined margin of 9-2.

Netherlands vs. Morocco Prediction and Preview

Looking at recent stats and form this match is predicted to be close. Both finished group play with two wins and a draw for seven points. And the FIFA World Rankings have Morocco at No. 7 one spot ahead of Netherlands. Morocco could have an edge working through a more difficult group, but the Dutch have looked lethal on the attack as one of a few teams to reach double digits in goals. Striker Brian Brobbey is in fine form with three markers for Netherlands.

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World Cup Round of 32 Bracket Outlook

At the time of this writing only a few World Cup Round of 32 bracket matchups have been confirmed. We do know a majority of teams that will be included in the bracket, but exact matchups won’t be determined until the end of group stage play.

Potential Paths to the Next Round

Winning in the Round of 32 is the easiest path to the next round. All kidding aside, the teams that won their group are rewarded with an “easier” matchup. I say easier based on the group stage standings. In several groups there isn’t a big difference between the first and second place teams. However, there is a steep drop from No. 1 to a wildcard making the group winners paired with a third-place team more likely to advance.

Matchups That Could Shape the Bracket

Group I was still up for grabs entering the final group stage matches and the teams at the top of the standings are squaring off in the finale. The winner of the monumental clash between France and Norway has a much easier path in the Round of 32 facing a wild card. And the bracket will be severely skewed with the loser setting up a high-profile battle early in the knockout stage.

Daily Round of 32 World Cup Summary

The ability to break down an opponent’s back line by possessing the ball and constantly pressuring comes in handy in Round of 32 World Cup. How teams play from here on out is completely different than what we see in the group stage. Anything can happen in extra time so teams that can attack will continue. All teams in the World Cup Round of 32 predictions excel in the area that rewards the most.

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