FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Predictions: France vs Sweden, Mexico vs Ecuador, England vs DR Congo
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 predictions are heating up as the knockout stage delivers three blockbuster fixtures: France vs Sweden, Mexico vs Ecuador, and England vs DR Congo. With one slip now meaning elimination, here is the complete breakdown of predicted lineups, head-to-head history, kickoff times, and venues for all three Round of 32 ties.
France vs Sweden | Round of 32
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. BST / 2:30 a.m. IST (July 1)
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
France topped Group I with a perfect record, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 2 across wins over Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, with Ousmane Dembélé's hat-trick against Norway underscoring their attacking depth. Sweden squeezed through as one of the eight best third-placed teams after finishing behind the Netherlands and Japan in Group F. Didier Deschamps, who has confirmed he will step down after the tournament, leads heavy favorites France into this all-European Round of 32 clash.
France Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan (GK);
Jules Koundé (RB),
Dayot Upamecano (CB),
William Saliba (CB),
Theo Hernández (LB);
Aurélien Tchouaméni (CDM),
Adrien Rabiot (CDM);
Ousmane Dembélé (RW),
Michael Olise (CAM),
Bradley Barcola (LW);
Kylian Mbappé (ST).
Sweden Predicted XI (3-5-2)
Jacob Widell Zetterström (GK);
Gustaf Lagerbielke (CB),
Victor Lindelöf (CB),
Hjalmar Ekdal (CB);
Alexander Bernhardsson (RWB),
Lucas Bergvall (CM),
Yasin Ayari (CM),
Gabriel Gudmundsson (LWB),
Anthony Elanga (RW),
Viktor Gyökeres (ST),
Alexander Isak (LW).
Head-to-Head
This will be the 24th all-time meeting between France and Sweden, with France leading 12 wins to 6 and five draws. Crucially, this is only their third clash at a major tournament and first-ever World Cup meeting | Sweden won the last such encounter 2-0 at Euro 2012.
Prediction
France's attacking trio of Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise represents a different class of threat than anything Sweden faced in the group stage, and a defense that has conceded 30 goals in 14 games offers little resistance.
Prediction: France 3-1 Sweden.
Mexico vs Ecuador | Round of 32
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Kickoff: 9:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. BST (July 1) / 6:30 a.m. IST (July 1)
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Co-hosts Mexico delivered a historic group stage, becoming only the sixth nation ever to win all three group games without conceding a goal, topping Group A with wins over South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia. Ecuador stumbled early, a loss to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw with Curaçao, before a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Germany sent them through as one of the best third-placed sides.
Mexico Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Raúl Rangel (GK),
Israel Reyes (RB),
Edson Álvarez (CB),
Johan Vásquez (CB),
Jesús Gallardo (LB),
Erik Lira (CDM),
Gilberto Mora (CM),
Luis Romo (CM),
Roberto Alvarado (RW),
Raúl Jiménez (ST),
Julián Quiñones (LW).
Ecuador Predicted XI (4-4-2)
Hernán Galíndez (GK),
Alan Franco (RB),
Joel Ordóñez (CB),
Willian Pacho (CB),
Piero Hincapié (LB),
John Yeboah (RM),
Moisés Caicedo (CM),
Pedro Vite (CM),
Nilson Angulo (LM),
Gonzalo Plata (ST),
Enner Valencia (ST).
Head-to-Head
Mexico and Ecuador have met 28 times, with Mexico holding the historical edge, eight draws, and four Ecuador wins. Their only World Cup meeting came in 2002 (Mexico won 2-1), and their most recent clash was a 1-1 friendly in October 2025.
Prediction
Mexico are undefeated in 24 straight matches at the Azteca and have conceded just twice in their last 11 games, while Ecuador have managed only one open-play goal at this World Cup despite generating over 5 xG. Home advantage and defensive solidity should edge a tight contest.
Prediction: Mexico 1-0 Ecuador.
England vs DR Congo | Round of 32
Match Details
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. BST / 2:30 a.m. IST (July 2)
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
England topped Group L with two wins and a draw, beating Croatia 4-2 and Panama 2-0 either side of a stalemate with Ghana, but Thomas Tuchel's side have looked far less fluent against deep, organized blocks. DR Congo, competing in just their second-ever World Cup and first knockout round in history, qualified as the highest-ranked of the eight best third-placed sides after a draw with Portugal, a loss to Colombia, and a stunning 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan.
England Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford (GK),
Djed Spence (RB),
John Stones (CB),
Marc Guéhi (CB),
Nico O'Reilly (LB),
Declan Rice (CDM),
Elliot Anderson (CDM),
Bukayo Saka (RW),
Jude Bellingham (CAM),
Marcus Rashford (LW),
Harry Kane (ST).
DR Congo Predicted XI (5-3-2)
Lionel Mpasi-Nzau (GK),
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RWB),
Axel Tuanzebe (CB),
Chancel Mbemba (CB),
Steve Kapuadi (CB),
Arthur Masuaku (LWB),
Noah Sadiki (CM),
Samuel Moutoussamy (CM),
Nathanaël Mbuku (CM),
Yoane Wissa (ST),
Cédric Bakambu (ST).
Head-to-Head
England and DR Congo have never previously met in a senior international fixture, making this a historic first-ever encounter at the World Cup.
Prediction
England's defense has shown vulnerability against deep blocks, and DR Congo's well-organized five-man backline, anchored by captain Chancel Mbemba, will make this far from straightforward. The quality of Kane and Bellingham should ultimately tell, likely via a set piece or a moment of individual brilliance.
Prediction: England 2-0 DR Congo.
