The round of 32 will continue at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four UEFA sides play their R32 matches on Thursday, including a match of two of the most famous teams in international football, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Luka Modric’s Croatia. We offer previews and predictions for all three matches.
Spain vs Austria (Thursday July 2nd in Los Angeles)
Without a doubt, we haven’t seen the best of this Spain team, and still they have gone 13 consecutive matches in all competitions without defeat, and if you exclude penalty shootouts, that record is 34 matches.
In the group stage, A shock draw against Cape Verde was followed by a comfortable win over Saudi Arabia, and surviving a physical match against a desperate Uruguay, a match that cost Nico Williams, possibly the rest of the tournament, the Spaniard being injured by hard fouls by Uruguay. Spain has been defensively solid this tournament, perhaps because opponents are afraid of their attacking options and tend to sit back against them, they have yet to concede a goal.
Spain has two more injuries to worry about Victor Munoz and Yeremy Pino are racing to be fit for this clash. Expect a midfield of Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Rodri that should dominate possession against an Austria side that are capable of scoring but have significant defensive liabilities with only David Alaba, a player very familiar to this Spain team, a truly class defender.
In a very strange game, Austria conceded three against Algeria, they managed a draw and both teams went through. They were dismantled by Argentina 2-0 and couldn’t string together an attack. The 3-1 win against Jordan was expected. This is an Austria team that is capable on paper, but shouldn’t be able to just sit and soak up pressure again Spain, in a way underdogs like to frustrate the favorites this tournament. Spain should find enough space to get on the board, and if they do so, Austria will be chasing the game.
Prediction: Spain 3-0
Portugal vs Croatia (Thursday July 2nd in Toronto)
It’s been a poor World Cup for Portugal, but still they avoided defeat and have every chance to make a credible run into the later in the stages of the tournament. Portugal found plenty of space to hammer Uzbekistan 5-0 in the group stage, but they were outplayed and outhustled by Colombia on matchday 3, and foiled by DR Congo in the opening match of the tournament.
The biggest issue? The midfield hasn’t been in a place to thrive with Cristiano Ronaldo offering little off the ball. Ronaldo remains a top class scorer, you give him space, he will bury the ball in the back of the net, he can position himself in and around the box to score goals, but Portugal effectively play with 10 men on the field, he doesn’t track back, he doesn’t press, and the offense is slowed around him. Roberto Martinez has let Ronaldo play 90 minutes three times, and has refused to try Goncalo Ramos, while Joao Felix and Pedro Neto have yet to click on the wings. In the midfield Bruno Fernandes and the Joao Neves/Vitinha pairing from PSG hasn’t dictated matches the way many expected. With Diogo Costa in goal, Portugal have proven to be defensively sound however.
Croatia are an aging side at some key positions but still quite capable. England raced past them in the opener, and they lost 4-2, but they still scored twice. They edged past a defensive minded Panama side 1-0, before a 2-1 win over another defense first side, Ghana, secured second place in the group. It’s not been an offensive masterclass, but for Zlatko Dalic it’s been enough. At age 40, Luka Modric still holds together Croatia’s midfield, and has had a far better tournament than his fellow Real Madrid contemporary Ronaldo. Like Costa, Dominik Livakovic has been an excellent goalkeeper for his country.
The breakout player for Croatia this tournament? Martin Baturina a 23-year-old at Como in Serie A, alongside another Serie A young midfielder, Petar Sucic. The momentum and energy around Croatia is better right now and they seem more organized as a team. Still, Josko Gvardiol has looked out of sorts this tournament, and Ivan Perisic will be tested in this game. Portugal with ambition remains a dangerous team, but Dalic is more tactically sound and willing to adjust than Martinez, and that should matter when subs and tactical changes are made.
Prediction: Croatia 2-1
Switzerland vs Algeria (Thursday July 2nd in Vancouver)
Switzerland’s poor result against Qatar aside, they have put together another solid tournament, and they dominated that opening game against Qatar only to settle for a shock late 1-1 draw. 4-1 against Bosnia and 2-1 over a good Canada side that is already in the last 16, was the rest of their tournament record. Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas have combined for five goals this tournament, Manzambi is just 20 years old from the Bundesliga, while 33 year-old Granit Xhaka remains a top-class midfielder.
Algeria remains a talented team, with another veteran midfielder, Riyad Mahrez, dictating the place of play. However, their tournament has been poor, especially defensively and in goal. Algeria has conceded seven goals and failed to keep a clean sheet in three group stage games. They were hammered by Argentina 3-0 in the opener, and neither Luca Zidane or Oussama Benbot have looked comfortable blocking shots. Switzerland will test Algeria’s goalkeeper, and likely come out the winners.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-1
