The Round of 32 clash at the FIFA World Cup started on Monday, with co-hosts Canada taking on South Africa. The former won the tie 1-0 and are now all set to face either the Netherlands or Morocco, two sides which will face each other on Tuesday.
Let us find out how the draws are stacked for some of the top teams, which are in contention for the FIFA World Cup title:
Argentina
Lionel Messi and Co. will take on debutants Cape Verde on Saturday, July 4, in Miami. The defending champions are expected to win the tie, unless a massive upset takes place. If Argentina win, they will face either Australia (28) or Egypt (28) in the Round of 16.
The defending champs are expected to face an 11th-ranked Colombia in the quarterfinals. Argentina can next face England
in the semifinals, unless five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil trumps them.
If rankings and form are to go by, everything points to yet another Argentina vs France FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
France
Kylian Mbappé and France will take on Sweden in New York on Wednesday. The 2018 world champions are overwhelming favourites to progress, barring a major upset. A win against Sweden would set up a Round of 16 clash against either Germany or Paraguay.
If France progress, they are projected to face sixth-ranked Morocco in the quarterfinals. A potential semifinal against Spain could then await, provided Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal don’t upset the Spaniards.
Spain
Spain face Austria in Los Angeles on Friday, with the 2010 world champions heavy favourites to advance, barring a major upset. A victory over Austria would book their place in the Round of 16, where they will meet either Portugal or Croatia.
England
England take on DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, with the 1966 World Champions overwhelming favourites to progress, barring a major upset. A win against Congo would send them into the Round of 16, where they would face either Mexico or Ecuador.
If England progress, they are projected to face fifth-ranked Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Brazil
Brazil face Japan in Houston on Monday, with the 2002 world champions overwhelming favourites to advance, barring a major upset. A victory over Japan would book their place in the Round of 16, where they would take on either the Ivory Coast or Norway.
If Brazil progress, they are projected to face fourth-ranked England in the quarterfinals.
Going by rankings and predictions, Argentina thus have the easiest pathway through the knockouts, not having to face any top 10 team before the semifinals.
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