The World Cup 2026 knockout stage is heating up as teams battle for a place in the last 16 of the tournament.Footballing powers England, Argentina and Belgium are facing tough challenges in the last 32 while smaller nations are hoping to achieve historic upsets.England will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the first time with the Three Lions looking to continue their journey towards the title. Argentina are also preparing for a tricky match against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, who have already surprised many with their performances. And Belgium clashes with African powerhouse Senegal.The tournament has produced plenty of talking points from player records and team predictions to unexpected off-field stories.Here is what we know:What is the prediction for England vs DRC?England face the DRC for the first time in their history as they look to book a place in the last 16.The Three Lions have limited experience against African opposition at the World Cup. Their only previous knockout meeting ended in a comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal in 2022 while they also beat Egypt and Cameroon during their run to the semifinals in 1990.Thomas Tuchel’s side have shown some vulnerability against African teams, drawing with Ghana and losing a friendly to Senegal, but they still head into this tie as the clear favourites.Opta’s supercomputer backs England to progress, giving them a 73.9 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes compared with the DRC’s 11.3 percent with a draw rated at 14.8 percent. Overall, England have an 82 percent chance of reaching the last 16, according to Opta, while the DRC are given an 18 percent chance of causing an upset.What is the prediction for Belgium vs Senegal?Belgium and Senegal meet for the first time in a competitive fixture on Wednesday as they battle for a place in the last 16 in Seattle, Washington.Recent World Cup history favours Belgium, which is ranked ninth in the FIFA world rankings while Senegal is 15th.The Red Devils have lost just one of their six matches against African opposition at the tournament. That defeat came against Morocco in the 2022 group stage. Senegal, meanwhile, have lost each of their last four World Cup meetings with European nations after winning three and drawing one of their first five.Opta’s supercomputer gives Belgium the edge with a 45.6 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes from 25,000 simulations. Senegal are given a 27 percent chance of victory while the probability of a draw stands at 27.4 percent.What is the prediction for USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina?The United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet for the fourth time with the Americans unbeaten in the previous three encounters with two wins and one draw although all of those came in friendlies from 2013 to 2021.While the USA have generally enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, their record against European opposition at the World Cup is far less encouraging. They have won just one of their last 21 tournament matches against UEFA nations with that lone victory coming against Portugal in 2002.Despite that, Opta’s supercomputer calculates the cohosts as the clear favourites. Across 25,000 simulations, the USA won in 67.5 percent of cases while Bosnia were victorious in 14.3 percent. A draw was the outcome in 18.3 percent of the simulations, leaving the USA with a 76.6 percent chance of reaching the last 16 by any method.Which teams have advanced to the round of 16, and which have been eliminated?With half of the six days of the round of 32 played, seven teams have already booked their places in the round of 16: