World Cup Predictions for 6/20/26

I’ve been right about a lot in this tournament - and was correct in three of the four match winners yesterday – but I have been DEAD WRONG about that Turkiye team. Unbelievably disappointing performance from them with no urgency whatsoever. Onto Saturday…

 

Netherlands vs Sweden

Kick-Off: 1 PM ET 

Location: Houston 

 

We start off Saturday with a banger between two European teams. Sweden looked great after having to qualify for this tournament in a playoff – they smashed Tunisia 5-1 while the Netherlands are now in jeopardy of coming second or third in the group after a tie with Japan. Netherlands is one of the teams I was lower on than consensus coming into the World Cup – on paper their roster is great but they’ve long let down in these big tournaments and I don’t trust the form of their star players Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay. They have failed to keep their opponent out of the goal for five matches straight and they faced some much weaker opponents than that they’ll see today. Overall, I don’t see how this isn’t an exciting match. I'm looking for Donyell Malen to find the back of the net. 

 

Prediction: Netherlands 3, Sweden 2 

 

Germany vs Ivory Coast 

Kick-Off: 4 PM ET

Location: Toronto 

 

Our second game of the day sees two teams face off that secured three points in their opening match. Germany walloped Curacao 7-1 while the Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0 with a goal coming in the 90th minute. Germany will want to secure the top spot on the group here while Ivory Coast is looking to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their country’s history. A feat that even Didier Drogba couldn’t deliver. I don’t think we see a seven goal eruption again at all, but ultimately I think that this German side is too much to handle. 

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Prediction: Germany 3, Ivory Coast 1 

 

Ecuador vs Curacao 

Kick-Off: 8 PM ET 

Location: Kansas City 

 

Both of these teams are looking to bounce back after losing their first matches – but this Ecuador side is just much better on paper. Curacao did well to score against Germany, and the game was 1-1 for a short period of time – but I think that says more about some disorganization of the German defense than it does about Curacao. Ecuador is notoriously stingy on the defensive side of the field and I think Curacao will be in for another long day. Enner Valencia is due to find the back of the net for Ecuador. 

 

Prediction: Ecuador 2, Curacao 0

 

Japan vs Tunisia

Kick-Off: 12 AM ET

Location: Guadalupe 

 

Japan was my pick to win this group and they did well to draw the Netherlands after going down by a goal twice. Tunisia will be fighting for pride tonight after losing 5-1 to Sweden and sacking their manager. How much will the manager being sacked fire up this team? That remains to be seen but I’m not sure it will make enough difference against a really talented and organized Japan side. Japan was already dealing with injuries coming into the tournament and they lost Takefusa Kubo to injury in that first match. Japan absolutely needs three points here and it’s a soft spot to grab it – I’m siding with the Samurai Blue once again. 

 

Prediction: Japan 3, Tunisia 1