With the Knock Out Bracket laid out, it does feel like France have benefited from some of the early upsets in the tournament, although they have yet to be really tested.
Spain versus Portugal looks to be the tie of the Last 16 Round, while all eyes in England are on the trip to the Azteca Stadium on Sunday night, which had been something they will have anticipated soon after the draw for the 2026 World Cup had been made.
It has been a solid tournament so far for the selections, but the challenges become tougher with teams much more evenly matched moved into the Last 16 and beyond.
Ties have been scheduled for four days beginning on Saturday, American Independence Day, and concluding with what looks to be an interesting fixture between Switzerland and Colombia on Tuesday.
This will lead to the first break of the tournament with Wednesday set for no action, but then the Quarter Final matches begin and those still involved will really be dreaming of picking up the World Cup on Sunday 19th July.
World Cup Last 16 Picks
Saturday 4th July
Canada vs Morocco Pick: At this stage of the World Cup, Canada are going to be feeling like they are playing with 'house money' having matched the ambitions that would have been set out before a ball had been kicked.
They made it out of the Group Stage and scored very late on to beat South Africa in the Last 32 and this should allow Canada to play with some freedom.
Unfortunately for them, they are also stepping up the level considerably when facing Morocco in the Last 16, although the latter did have to go through Extra Time and Penalties to see off the Netherlands in the last Round. In the hot and humid conditions of the United States, that could be a problem for Morocco, especially as that last Round fixture was played in Mexico where the intense conditions are not being managed by playing under a roof.
Morocco also played over twenty-four hours later than Canada, but they have all of the qualities needed to win this match and they are also a much more experienced squad.
The only criticism you could have of Morocco is that they do not score a lot of goals- they have begun games quite well and scored early against Brazil and Scotland, but Morocco have also shown they can maintain their belief very late on against Haiti and Netherlands. This is also a team that has defended pretty well and it is going to be very tough for Canada, although odds on quotes for a Morocco win look a touch on the short side.
However, four years ago, Morocco scored two early goals on their way to a win over Canada at the 2022 World Cup Finals and they have been the superior team in the competition. There has been a lot of determination shown by Canada and they will cause problems, which could see them manage at least nine shots against a Morocco team that can sometimes sit back and look to soak up the pressure.
A direct Canada approach can see the team in a position to try and test out their shooting boots and Canada have had at least twelve shots in every game at this tournament.
Paraguay vs France Pick: After beating one European giant in the Knock Out Rounds, Paraguay take aim at one of the favourites to win the World Cup and it would be a much bigger upset if they can take down France compared to beating Germany.
They rode their luck in that win over Germany- Paraguay almost blew the Penalty Shoot Out when in a commanding position, while an extremely controversial VAR intervention prevented Germany from taking the lead in Extra Time as the Paraguayans looked shattered.
It has been a few days of recovery for Paraguay, but this really doe feel like the end of the line.
France have been looking incredible in the final third and that threat has meant teams have been a little wary to get forward and test this vulnerable defence. That will change the longer we go into this World Cup tournament, but Paraguay may not have the energy nor the quality to really take the risks needed.
Instead they will likely set up deep and hope to frustrate the French, although that looks like it will be too great a challenge for them. The United States win over Paraguay was in the opening match of the tournament, but performances since have suggested this is a team that may have reached its ceiling in the 2026 World Cup and France should be a relatively comfortable winnerw when all is said and done.
MY PICKS: Canada Team Over 8.5 Shots @ 1.72 Bet365 (1 Unit)
France Win to Nil @ 1.77 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Last 16:
Last 32: 10-6, + 4.38 Units (16 Units Staked, + 27.38% Yield)
Group Stage MD 3: 11-11-1, - 1.29 Units (23 Units Staked, - 5.61% Yield)
Group Stage MD 2: 16-8, + 7.44 Units (24 Units Staked, + 31% Yield)
Group Stage MD 1: 12-12, - 0.30 Units (24 Units Staked, - 1.25% Yield)
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