Nick Seddon previews the opening World Cup knockout fixtures due to take place on Sunday and Monday, which include some particularly tasty match-ups. Read his latest preview, exclusively for kwiff below.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview: Best Bets, June 27th 2026
Joint-hosts Canada relinquished top spot of Group B when losing to Switzerland on Wednesday, meaning that the remainder of their campaign will be played away from home. It isn’t all doom and gloom, however, as they look to have been given one of the kindest ties in the section, against surprise package South Africa.
FIFA World Cup 2026: South Africa v Canada
This is uncharted territory for Bafana Bafana, who were expected to prop up a group consisting of Mexico, Czechia and South Korea, but a shock victory on the final day against the last-named was enough to pinch second place. They rode their luck to do it, but it means they will become the first side to face two different hosts in the same tournament, having lost the opener to Mexico. South Africa were particularly disappointing on that occasion, receiving two red cards, and a similarly biased crowd on Sunday may cause tempers to flare once again. Teboho Mokoena returns from suspension having picked up two bookings and it looks worth taking the 2.55 about him getting another yellow.
Canada now face an uphill battle to go deep in the tournament without home advantage, particularly with Netherlands or Morocco awaiting in the next round. They were perhaps flattered by the scoreline when thumping 10-man Qatar and the 1.58 on offer for them to win seems a little bit on the tight side considering they were outplayed for large parts by the Swiss. Les Rouges should ultimately have too much for South Africa though and considering they’ve very much grown into their games so far, backing them to win late looks the play.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil v Japan
Brazil’s commanding victory over Scotland on Wednesday evening was enough to seal top place in Group C, though their reward is a tricky-looking encounter with dark horses Japan. The five-time winners are under a lot of pressure to perform under Carlo Ancelotti, which seemed to take its toll in a lacklustre opening performance against Morocco.
Straightforward wins against Scotland and Haiti have followed, but Brazil have yet to convince they can take the game to higher-quality opposition and the 1.65 available to win in 90 minutes looks short. Ranked 17th in the world, Samurai Blue are one of the stronger runners-up in the draw and they have been impressive so far. Their results have included a creditable draw with the Netherlands, ranked just two places below Brazil, while Tunisia were dispatched with ease.
Disciplined at the back, they will be tough to break down and will look to pick their moments. The sheer strikeforce at Brazil’s disposal will provide a new test and Japan looked vulnerable at times when drawing against a Swedish side with a similarly potent attack on Friday morning. Sustained pressure may eventually take its toll, but this looks likely to be a cagey affair, making under 2.5 goals an appealing play.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany v TBC
Group E winners Germany will find out their Round of 32 opponents upon the conclusion of the Group Stage in the early hours of Sunday morning. They will face the third-placed side from one of Group C (Scotland), Group D (Paraguay) or Group F (Sweden) and we will provide analysis here in due course.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Netherlands v Morocco
The Netherlands finished as clear winners of Group F, though they face one of the toughest ties of the entire knockout round, against the 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. Rather quirkily, Morocco are ranked one place higher than the Dutch on world rankings, despite being unseeded here.
They finished behind Brazil on goal difference only, though they will no doubt feel they could have topped the group having dominated their 1-1 draw in the opening game. Nervy victories against Scotland and Haiti have followed and they will need to be tighter at the back than they were last time out if they are to emulate their run in Qatar.
Netherlands have shrugged off any suggestions that they are underpowered at this tournament due to injuries, drawing with Japan and thumping both Tunisia and Sweden since. This is a significant step up in class, however, and it will be interesting to see if they are able to cause as many issues against a classy Morocco side. The Dutch are the narrow 1.98 favourites at the time of writing, but this looks as though it could go right to the wire and is best left alone for betting purposes.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Monday Best Bets
Back Draw/Canada HT/FT @ 3.70 with kwiff
Back Over 1.5 Goals in 2nd Half of South Africa v Canada @ 2.30 with kwiff
Back Teboho Mokoena to Get a Card @ 2.55 with kwiff
Back Under 2.5 Goals in Brazil v Japan @ 1.66 with kwiff
Brazil v Japan to go to Extra Time @ 3.15 with kwiff
By Nick Seddon
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