Welcome to The Athletic’s daily World Cup Predictions.This article gives you the lowdown on all today’s games, with the bonus of some friendly competition…Throughout the tournament, we will have two Athletic writers (Andy Jones or Elias Burke — with help from our experts from each of the 48 countries) pitting our soccer knowledge against a different Athletic subscriber each day and ‘Algo’, the shiny new algorithm from The Athletic, which is making its computerised debut during the 2026 World Cup.Oh, and a dog called Stanley and a six-year-old called Wilfred (who some of you may remember from last season’s Premier League predictions).Our guest subscriber today is Kenneth, from the United States, who supports Norway, Tottenham Hotspur and Viking FK. Good luck, Kenneth!If you would like to apply to be our guest subscriber for a day during this tournament, please follow the instructions in the article here.Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic appWhat happened on Matchday 19?A late Gabriel Martinelli strike broke Japanese hearts as Brazil progressed to the round of 16 with a 2-1 comeback victory.While all five predictors thought Carlo Ancelotti’s South Americans would get the job done, it was clear that the tournament ‘dark horses’ would make their life difficult. That proved to be the case on the half-hour when Kaishu Sano picked up the ball near the halfway line, drove to the edge of the area and found the bottom corner.A shock looked to be on the cards, but minutes after being denied by an incredible goal-line block, Casemiro headed Brazil level from a deep Gabriel cross after 56 minutes. Brazil threw on plenty of attacking talent after that, but the game looked destined for extra time.That was until Rayan forced a high turnover five minutes into added time and Bruno Guimaraes’ inch-perfect pass found Martinelli. The Arsenal forward did the rest, and sent the yellow wall of Brazil shirts watching from behind that goal wild.Brazil celebrate their late winner (Lars Baron/Getty Images)Then, after two close calls, we had our first knockout tie of this World Cup go to extra time and penalties in match three as Paraguay caused the biggest shock so far, knocking out Germany.Julian Nagelsmann’s side dominated possession but were toothless in the first half and got sucker-punched just before half-time when Julio Enciso headed Paraguay in front. It did not take long for Germany to respond in the second half as Kai Havertz flicked in Florian Wirtz’s cross. They were unable to find a winner in normal time though, as they faced resilient opponents.Jonathan Tah thought he had headed Germany in front in the first period of extra time but the goal was controversially ruled out after a soft foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Orlando Gill.Their misery only increased when Havertz and Nick Woltemade saw their penalties saved by Gill. Paraguay then had two opportunities to win it but Antonio Sanabria (wide) and Fabian Balbuena (saved by Manuel Neuer) missed back-to-back penalties to take it to sudden death.Germany had never lost a World Cup penalty shootout, and it looked like fate was with them again… until Tah stepped up next and blazed his penalty over. It was left to centre-back Jose Canale, who had defined Paraguay’s defensive efforts, to step up and fire his side into the last 16.Not even Stanley foresaw that upset, with all of us picking Germany to advance but we did finally have a difference in opinion for the third and final game of the day. Subscriber Samer predicted Morocco would beat the Netherlands while everyone else backed Ronald Koeman’s team — and he would be the one smiling at the end.Results from June 29, 2026 TA ExpertsThe AlgoReader PicksWilfred (age 6)Stanley the DogGermanyParaguay GER GER GER GER GER NetherlandsMorocco NED NED MAR NED NED BrazilJapan BRA BRA BRA BRA BRA In a pulsating tie, the drama continued. Morocco had more and better chances over the 90 minutes, but it was the Dutch who took the lead through Cody Gakpo on 72 minutes. The Liverpool forward reacted first to a loose ball to score, an incredibly poignant and emotional moment after the personal tragedy he and his family have suffered in recent days.The tie was not over though, and for the third game out of four in this knockout phase, we had a goal scored in added time. Chemsdine Talbi’s cross was headed in by centre-back Issa Diop to take the tie to extra time.Nothing could separate the two sides over the additional 30 minutes, but if you thought the Germany-Paraguay shootout was dramatic, this was on another level.There were five attempts missed, and one scored via an accidental backheel by Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after he’d made the initial save. It was left to Ismael Saibari to step up and convert the winning penalty for a 3-2 shootout victory, ending another of the big European sides’ World Cup hopes just hours after Germany’s exit.Morocco knocked the Netherlands out on penalties (Carl Recine/Getty Images)It is as-you-were in the predictor league table, but the subscribers took a step closer to the leaders. This matchday proved that there are no certainties in knockout football.OverallaccuracyCorrectpicksBeststreakTA experts64%4911The algorithm63%486Wilfred (age 6)62%477Reader picks59%455Stanley the dog38%294How do the predictions work?It’s pretty simple: we will give you some background on each game, players to watch and facts on the two teams. Then we will predict the outcome.We will maintain a leaderboard of how everyone gets on with their predictions (ranked by the percentage they get correct) but we’ll also keep a record of “streaks” — the number of predictions everyone gets right in a row. These streaks also form a crucial part of The Athletic’s interactive Soccer Pick’ems feature, allowing you to make your own picks every round as well.So come along and get involved, and check back each day to see how we are getting on in the leaderboard — and probably more importantly, whether you, the subscribers, or Stanley or Wilfred are beating us.Or, worst of all, whether ‘Algo’ can prove data and statistics know all when it comes to predicting.Good luck, and enjoy!Why not try The Athletic’s World Cup Tracker, where you can find a forecast projecting the likelihood that each team will progress through each stage of the tournament, along with a bracket projecting the most likely round-of-32 matchups, current standings, and a bunch of other neat forecasts and scenarios.Predictions for Matchday 20Ivory Coast vs Norway, round of 32, kick-off 1pm ET, 6pm BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), BBC (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 5/5. Erling Haaland may prove the difference maker, but Ivory Coast have attacking stars of their own.Watch Rating: 5/5. Among the most exciting ties of the round of 32. Expect plenty of dynamic attacking play from two forward-thinking, talented sides.The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Before Stale Solbakken rested 10 of his starting XI for their 4-1 defeat by France in their final group game, Norway were impressive with two wins from two.“Their 3-2 defeat of Senegal demonstrated that they can go toe-to-toe with highly fancied sides at this World Cup, and they will likely need to reach a similar level of performance against Ivory Coast.“Yan Diamonde has been a revelation, establishing himself as one of the game’s brightest forward talents. His electric pace and creative ability were on display throughout the group stages, starring in wins against Ecuador and Curacao, and providing an effective outlet on the break in the loss to Germany.Yan Diomande has carried his fine RB Leipzig club form into the World Cup with Ivory Coast (Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)“As well as Ivory Coast’s ability to handle Haaland’s constant goalscoring threat, the key battle of the game will be between Diomande, Amad, and the Norwegian full-backs. If Solbakken can build a plan to protect Julian Ryerson (providing he is fit after an injury against Senegal) and David Moller Wolfe, Norway’s chances of reaching the round of 16 and equalling their best-ever finish are boosted, but that’s easier said than done. Expect goals.”The Athletic Soccer Experts: NORWAY WINGuest subscriber Kenneth: NORWAY WINSix-year-old Wilfred: NORWAY WINStanley the dog: IVORY COAST WINAlgo: NORWAY WINOur picks for June 30, 2026 TA ExpertsThe AlgoReader PicksWilfred (age 6)Stanley the DogFranceSweden FRA FRA FRA FRA SWE Ivory CoastNorway NOR NOR NOR NOR CIV MexicoEcuador ECU MEX ECU MEX ECU France vs Sweden, round of 32, kick-off 5pm ET, 10pm BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), ITV (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 2/5. Sweden’s talent in the final third cannot be ignored, but France should have too much for them.Watch Rating: 4/5. France have a strong argument for being the most impressive side at this World Cup. Tune in to see if they can continue building momentum through the knockouts, or if Sweden’s expensive attackers can cause a major upset. The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “France justifiably sit top of The Athletic’s World Cup rankings heading into Matchday 20, owing to an impressive group stage and an enviable array of attacking quality. Betting against a front line of Kylian Mbappe (arguably the best player in the sport), Ousmane Dembele (the current Ballon d’Or holder), Michael Olise (a contender to win that same award this year) and Desire Doue (surely a Ballon d’Or contender in years to come), backed up by Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola, quite frankly, seems a bit ludicrous.“It feels like manager Didier Deschamps’ side have only scratched the surface of their attacking potential in the opening three matches. They have scored 10 goals in what, heading into the tournament, many described as its toughest group.The outstanding Michael Olise goes close against Norway (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)“But France were given a let-off of sorts against Norway, with so many players rested, so we are yet to see how well-equipped their defence is to face a top-level centre-forward. In France’s opening game, Senegal demonstrated that the tournament favourites are far from indestructible and probably should have gone in ahead at half-time.“In Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden have two of the best No 9s at this World Cup, and should coach Graham Potter devise a game plan to get the most out of them, they could test a French back line that can look shaky.“Still, France can outscore anyone, and Sweden are far from solid. There is a chance of a goalfest, but expect the favourites to come out on top.The Athletic Soccer Experts: FRANCE WINGuest subscriber Kenneth: FRANCE WINSix-year-old Wilfred: FRANCE WINStanley the dog: SWEDEN WINAlgo: FRANCE WINMexico vs Ecuador, round of 32, kick-off 9pm ET, 2am BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), ITV (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 5/5. With no pressure to score goals within 90 minutes in the knockout stages, Ecuador are well-positioned to do what they do best: defend. Mexico will have the backing of a fervent home crowd at Estadio Azteca, which will level the playing field against a slightly more talented Ecuador side, but Mexico City’s altitude should not trouble Ecuador — their capital Quito is the world’s second-highest city, behind La Paz in Bolivia. Watch Rating: 3/5. Ecuador will likely try to make the game as slow as possible, while Mexico will be encouraged to attack from the outset. If Ecuador are allowed to play the game on their terms, it could be cagey, but a goal for the co-hosts will spark it into life. The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “The group stage was always going to be a challenge for Ecuador, who scored just 14 goals in 18 games in South American qualifying, fewer than Bolivia (17) and Venezuela (18). The former last made the World Cup in 1994, the latter are yet to appear in the finals.“Ecuador finished second, above Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, thanks to their outstanding defensive record. Five goals conceded in 18 tough qualifying games shows how formidable the unit led by midfielder Moises Caicedo, and defenders Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie, who met in last month’s Champions League final as Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal players respectively, can be.Ecuador will look to rely on a formidable defence at the Azteca (Al Bello/Getty Images)“These guys proved to the world that they can score goals, beating Germany 2-1 to earn qualification for the last 32, but their defence-first strategy is better suited to the knockout rounds, where there is not the same urgency to win a game in 90 minutes.“But in front of huge support in their nation’s capital, Mexico have their eyes set on history. A win here takes them to ‘el quinto partido’ (the fifth game of a World Cup), which has eluded them since reaching the quarter-finals, also on home soil, in 1986. As the only team to take nine points from nine without conceding once in the group stage, Mexico are in a strong position to realise that ambition in front of a crowd who will expect their team to progress on home soil. Let’s see if an attack which looked impressive in group play can carry that form into the knockouts against one of the best defensive sides at this tournament.”The Athletic Soccer Experts: ECUADOR WINGuest subscriber Kenneth: ECUADOR WINSix-year-old Wilfred: MEXICO WINStanley the dog: ECUADOR WINAlgo: MEXICO WIN