FIFA World Cup: Portugal vs Croatia prediction, schedules, round of 16 race

Published 2 July 2026 · sports

Spain, Portugal and Switzerland take centre stage as the knockout drama continues across North America. Thursday’s World Cup round of 32 action brings another busy

Spain, Portugal and Switzerland take centre stage as the knockout drama continues across North America. Thursday’s World Cup round of 32 action brings another busy schedule, with Spain, Portugal and Switzerland all in knockout action across North America. Alongside the games, the tournament continues to deliver big storylines, including surprise results and late comebacks to fan celebrations, controversy and off-field headlines. Here is what we know What is the schedule for Thursday’s game? Spain vs Austria (noon/19:00 GMT) at Los Angeles Stadium. (noon/19:00 GMT) at Los Angeles Stadium. Portugal vs Croatia (7pm/23:00 GMT) at Toronto Stadium, Ontario, Canada. (7pm/23:00 GMT) at Toronto Stadium, Ontario, Canada. Switzerland vs Algeria (8pm/03:00 GMT on Friday) at BC Place Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. What is the prediction for Spain vs Austria? Spain and Austria have not faced each other regularly, but recent history has been firmly in Spain’s favour. La Roja are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Austria, with each of the last two ending in emphatic four-goal victories. Spain head into the tie as clear favourites to book their place in the last 16. According to the Opta supercomputer, Luis de la Fuente’s side won 70.6 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations over 90 minutes. That said, the round of 32 has already produced enough surprises to serve as a warning. Austria were given a 12.2 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes, while draws accounted for the remaining 17.3 percent of simulations. Factoring in extra time and penalties, the supercomputer rates Spain’s chances of reaching the last 16 at 79.5 percent, leaving Austria with a 20.5 percent probability of causing an upset. What is the prediction for Portugal vs Croatia? Portugal have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture over the years. They have lost just one of their 10 meetings with Croatia in all competitions, while remaining unbeaten across six competitive encounters, winning five and drawing the other.

Portugal head into the contest as favourites to progress. The Opta supercomputer gave Portugal a 54.5 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes across 25,000 pre-match simulations. Croatia’s chances of victory were rated at 20.4 percent, while 25.1 percent of simulations ended level after normal time, meaning extra time and potentially penalties. What is the prediction for Switzerland vs Algeria? This will be the first competitive meeting between Switzerland and Algeria, although the sides have faced each other twice previously in friendly matches. On both occasions, Switzerland came out on top, winning 2-1 in 1983 and following that up with a 2-0 victory three years later. Switzerland head into the tie as clear favourites to progress. The Opta supercomputer ran 25,000 pre-match simulations and gave them a 49.5 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes. Algeria, meanwhile, were assigned a 23.9 percent chance of victory in normal time, while 26.6 percent of simulations resulted in a draw, potentially pushing the contest into extra time and penalties. Which teams have advanced to the round of 16, and which have been eliminated? With three of the six days of the round of 32 now complete, seven teams have already secured their places in the round of 16 Canada (beat South Africa 1-0) Brazil (beat Japan 2-1) Paraguay (beat Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw) Morocco (beat the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw) Norway (beat Ivory Coast 2-1) France (beat Sweden 3-0) Mexico (beat Ecuador 2-0) England (beat DR Congo 2-1) USA (beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0) Eliminated teams so far South Africa Japan Germany Netherlands Ivory Coast Sweden Ecuador DR Congo Bosnia and Herzegovina What else is happening? Harry Kane’s match-winning brace Kane produced a dramatic late double as England came from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 in Atlanta, securing their place in the last 16. Chasing a first major tournament title in 60 years, Thomas Tuchel’s side were on the brink of a major upset after Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead early on.