The 48-team format’s wider R32 bracket creates more upset opportunities than the 32-team era. The dramatic elimination sparked emotional reactions across Iran. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei described the team’s misfortune as extraordinary after Iran became the first side at the tournament to have three goals ruled out by VAR.

The Favourites

• There are 12 different groups of four teams in the 2026 World Cup.
• Before locking in any Brazil vs. Japan picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, you need to see what proven soccer expert Jon Eimer has to say.
• Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe.
• Logan Costa provides quality at centre-back, while Ryan Mendes, Cape Verde’s all-time leading scorer, remains their most experienced attacking threat.
• The first U.S. game is the following day, as the Americans will host Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
• As both sides are likely to adopt a cautious approach, we predict a 1-1 draw.
• The expanded 48-team format added this extra knockout round for the first time, sending 32 of the 48 teams into single-elimination ties before the Round of 16.
• Select a team above to see its group result and Round of 32 tie.

Lewandowski scored his tally in 10 games, two more than Haaland. Canada are deemed the least likely of the host nations to go all the way, winning the tournament in just 0.4% of our simulations, though they are only a year removed from a historic tournament run. Their route to this World Cup was not completely smooth, either, as they were left needing victory over Slovakia in their final Group A game to avoid the play-offs. But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals.

Supercomputer Predicts 2026 World Cup Winner After Group Stage Concludes

Ancelotti was only in charge for the final five games of their campaign, but less than eight months into his reign, he has already overseen surprise defeats to Bolivia and Japan, as well as poor draws with Ecuador and Tunisia. Germany arguably played some of the best football at Euro 2024, ranking second for average possession (62.5%) and goals scored (11), but Nagelsmann has plenty of selection dilemmas to consider. Messi has shown no signs of slowing down, helping Inter Miami reach the Major League Soccer Cup final while contributing a staggering 35 goals and providing 21 assists in MLS action this year. There should be plenty of service for Harry Kane, who is Europe’s most in-form striker, netting 24 goals in 20 matches for Bayern Munich since the start of the season in August. But there is a competitive race for the positions behind the England skipper after Tuchel suggested Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could not both start, while Cole Palmer’s season has barely got going due to injuries.

All 72 group stage matches covered with win probability data, banker tips, accumulator strategy, and African kick-off times. The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States (11 venues), Mexico (3 venues), and Canada (2 venues) across 16 stadiums. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Live scores for every match of the 2026 World Cup, in your timezone. Below you’ll find our expert tips for the World Cup across the most popular football betting markets, including Match Result, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), Over/Under 2.5 Goals, Total Goals, and Correct Score.

Brazil vs. Mexico

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is already the only man to score at five World Cups, as the 41-year-old strives for the one major international trophy that has eluded him. They are in an evenly matched pool, and while seen as the least likely team to win Group D, they still have a decent 17.9% hope of topping the table. The Socceroos are more likely than not to progress to the knockouts (59.2%) and have a 26.3% chance of reaching the last 16 to match their best-ever performance. These were the knockout stage predictions for TSN expert Dom Farrell. Two of the most talented squads, if not the top two, meet in the tournament semi-final.

Brazil vs. Japan odds, predictions: 2026 World Cup Round of 32 picks from proven soccer expert

But even I can not confidently say Colombia will beat France, the most impressive team of the group stage, in a final scenario. They’re deep, everyone’s scoring, they’re changing and there is just a wealth of talent to choose from. But it’s at the end of this chapter and moving that things get real, real serious. The bracket is set, and now all 32 teams can start to dream about their path to the final. Ready to put your World Cup knowledge to the test this summer? 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One is a new free-to-play Yahoo Fantasy game where fans make picks each round, earn points and climb the leaderboard.

Spain vs Austria Prediction

• Norway, Morocco, Colombia and Japan are the dark horses, and all four reached the Round of 32.
• But this is knockout soccer, and Carlo Ancelotti will find a way.
• Brazil and Japan match up in a Round of 32 contest in the World Cup 2026 on Monday.
• But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States.
• The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32.
• There are many teams who have a shot at winning the 2026 World Cup, with high expectations placed on nations like Argentina, France and Spain, who have all won recent World Cups or major tournaments in recent years.
• Ivory Coast secured their place in the knockout stages with a convincing 2-0 victory over Curacao, where Nicolas Pepe stole the headlines with a brilliant brace.
• Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with the pair battling to reach the final 16 of the tournament.
• Spain vs England – A repeat of the 2024 Euro final may produce the same heartbreaking outcome for the 1966 World Cup winners.
• There are eight LaLiga winners from Barcelona – but, tellingly, none from Real Madrid.
• Six places are up for grabs for CONMEBOL teams, and it is a single-league format that simply decides which top six teams advance to the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with the pair battling to reach the final 16 of the tournament. Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting match, and we have found it difficult to pick a winner here.

Leagues from World

The USMNT appointed Pochettino after of a humiliating group-stage exit as Copa América hosts last year, and things did not immediately improve as the Argentine lost five of his first 10 matches at the helm. France became the sixth team to win the World Cup as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. One recurring issue in recent years has been their lack of a true centre-forward. But Memphis Depay remains a talisman for his nation, becoming their all-time leading scorer when he netted his 51st international goal in September.

Doku controversy piles pressure on Belgium, France bid for early progression

There is currently a combined 3.7% chance of any of those sides going all the way, with Italy surely the most likely candidates if they can end their World Cup exile. Croatia are another team whose best days may be behind them but can never be ruled out. Semi-finalists in both 2018 and 2022, they are assigned a 1.1% chance of glory – lower than Mexico and Uruguay (1.7%), whose coach Bielsa recently went on a rant in a press conference following speculation over his position.

Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket. Build your bracket, play the prediction league, and follow every match — all in one place. Gillette Stadium will host an intriguing World Cup last-32 clash between Germany and Paraguay.

How far will the host nations get?

• Compare World Cup betting odds now with our recommended betting sites and find the latest prices for teams to win the tournament.
• There is something quite romantic about one of the godfathers of management being appointed by the most famous footballing country to bring home the greatest prize in football for a record-extending sixth time.
• Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez.
• Belgium and Senegal square off in the World Cup last 32 in what promises to be an entertaining battle between two in-form sides.
• With a 14.1% chance, France are the supercomputer’s second favourites, just behind Spain, who beat them 5-4 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in June.
• Mexico at the Azteca, backed by a raucous home crowd, has become appointment viewing at this World Cup.

A place in the World Cup last 16 will be at stake when Switzerland and Algeria meet in what promises to be a tightly contested knockout clash. As both sides are likely to rely on their defences this time out, we predict a 1-1 draw. Switzerland enjoyed a solid group campaign, beating Bosnia and Canada while drawing 1-1 with Qatar in a match they arguably deserved more from. Group-by-group odds, knockout stage forecasts, and tapados watch — all powered by FIFA rankings, ELO ratings, and past tournament performance. Stephen Eustaquio’s late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the co-hosts, with head coach Jesse Marsch telling his players they had become “Canadian heroes” and inspired the next generation of footballers. Canada reached the men’s World Cup last 16 for the first time after a dramatic stoppage-time victory over South Africa, marking the nation’s first knockout win at the tournament.

Part II. Knockout stage projections ⚽

When the smart-money crowd converges on a Top 4, history suggests a team NOT in that group wins the tournament about 25% of the time. Watch Portugal, Germany, and Netherlands as potential disruptors. Top 5 (Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil) most likely to reach this stage. Historical data suggests 5 of 8 QF teams will be from Europe + South America. Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally).

• Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite.
• Luis de la Fuente’s side are arguably the best-equipped team in the tournament because they possess two attributes that are often difficult to marry together.
• Ivory Coast has the physicality and midfield quality to frustrate Norway, but the Scandinavian side’s clinical finishing and attacking firepower could ultimately prove decisive.
• Now that there are 12 groups instead of eight, it’s hard to find a Group of Death with four exceptionally strong teams.
• Within that sextet, three teams are seen as the biggest challengers to Spain and three others, while very much in the mix, might need a little more good fortune to go their way if they are to emerge triumphant.
• Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accused FIFA of failing to address logistical problems facing his team at the World Cup after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt.
• They conceded just eight goals across their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches, shutting out both Brazil and Argentina along the way.
• Ronaldo and his great rival Messi will make history this summer when they appear, becoming the first players to participate in six separate World Cups.
• With Mbappe in his prime, their knockout ceiling is the highest of any contender.

Nestor Lorenzo’s team look a little more battle hardened and should edge through. DR Congo clinched its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage, and with that, the nation was rewarded with England. Three Lions have had a tumultuous and injury-riddled group stage, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad should still come out on top. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32. Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.

And Argentina’s win in 2022.

Below are the 16 actual fixtures with our pick for each, followed by our forecast through to the final. Switzerland pipped Canada to win Group B. Colombia won Group K ahead of Portugal, the only group favorite not to finish top. Croatia recovered to take second in England’s group, pushing Ghana to a third-place spot. The group stage is finished and the Round of 32 began today with South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles.

World Cup 2026: Julián Quiñones, Raúl Jiménez lead Mexico to dominant 2-0 win over South Africa

The Three Lions’ Round of 32 match is 5pm on Wednesday before Belgium vs. Senegal, with the winner of that one setting up a meeting with USA should the Stars and Stripes beat Bosnia. This matchup delivers a final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark. Portugal’s depth and momentum give them the edge, and I see them pulling off the upset to reach their first World Cup final. Brazil have struggled to define a clear identity in recent tournaments, raising doubts about their ability to make a legitimate World Cup run.

• Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on topping Group E after surrendering a lead against Germany, but their overall performances have underlined why they are being tipped as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
• South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following his side’s group-stage elimination from the World Cup, after coming under heavy criticism from President Lee Jae-myung.
• The final is on July 19, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which holds about 82,500 fans.
• Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through.
• Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +1000 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962.
• Colombia are brimming with confidence after recording back-to-back victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo.
• 16 teams qualify in total from the UEFA qualifiers, with 54 teams split into 12 groups.
• Teams with statistically underrated odds given their ELO momentum and recent tournament form.
• England vs Portugal – Ronaldo may have to take comfort from beating his arch-nemesis in the quarter-finals.
• A place in the World Cup last 16 will be at stake when Brazil and Japan lock horns at NRG Stadium in what promises to be one of the most exciting last-32 ties.

Canada vs. Morocco

The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Finals, whilst a 16-team play-off competition then decides the final four spots. Check out the FIFA World Cup predictions with SoccerVista through this page and choose your next bet for the biggest international tournament in the sport. And while the U.S. doesn’t have a star the caliber of those players, Christian Pulisic stands out as a player to watch on the team. He delivered a gutsy performance in shaking off an injury to help the Americans reach the knockout round at the 2022 World Cup, becoming a household name. Then, in the final round of group play, there will be six games each day, with the teams in each group kicking off at the same time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance to lead Portugal to World Cup glory should begin with a relatively straightforward group-stage campaign, even though Colombia possess the quality to make life uncomfortable for the Iberians. However, history is unlikely to repeat itself this time around, at least for the back-to-back World Cup finalists. Tunisia’s unenviable record of failing to advance from the group stage in each of their six previous World Cup campaigns suggests they could struggle to keep pace with the rest of the pack. Football’s biggest stage returns this summer as a stacked line-up of global contenders collide in pursuit of 2026 FIFA World Cup glory. Sweden (in 1958) and Czechia (in 1934 and 1962) have both been World Cup finalists previously (the latter as Czechoslovakia) but could still miss the tournament, as could former European champions Denmark. Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia.

How Often is the FIFA World Cup Played?

Building a perfect bracket may be unrealistic, but identifying where chaos is most likely, and where elite teams will hold firm, is the key to getting ahead. Below, you’ll find a full round-by-round projection, blending safe picks with calculated risks to map out how the 2026 World Cup could unfold. England vs Portugal – Ronaldo may have to take comfort from beating his arch-nemesis in the quarter-finals. Turkey vs Best 3rd place Group B/E/F/I/J – Despite their lengthy absence from football’s biggest stage, the Crescent-Stars might return with a bang. Expectations are sky-high in Mauricio Pochettino’s corner, yet the United States’ recent World Cup performances cannot inspire confidence, even though they’ve reached the knockouts in three of the last four tournaments. Before bowing out in the group stages four years ago in Qatar, Mexico had reached the knockout phase at seven consecutive World Cups.

In a five-week knockout competition there is massive variance. Just one shock exit from a tournament favourite can cause other dominos to fall and the draw can suddenly open up for an unexpected team to challenge. Croatia rank just above co-hosts USA and place 15th overall in terms of potential winners with a 1.6% chance. The Opta supercomputer is reasonably positive about the chances of the three co-host nations, suggesting all of them are likely to produce solid – albeit not necessarily spectacular – tournaments.

• France and Argentina are the most likely finalists, sitting on opposite halves of the bracket.
• Six places are up for grabs for CONMEBOL teams, and it is a single-league format that simply decides which top six teams advance to the FIFA World Cup Finals.
• Gustavo Alfaro’s team will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Australia, while their one success this summer was a 1-0 victory over Turkey.
• Brazil and Japan match up in a Round of 32 contest in the World Cup 2026 on Monday.
• France are seen as having the most difficult group of the leading teams, as they face Norway, Senegal and Iraq in Group I.
• Norway, Morocco, Colombia and Japan are the dark horses, and all four reached the Round of 32.
• These teams met in the last 16 in Qatar and Argentina had to endure some nervy moments.
• But a rampant 5-0 victory in Serbia in September showcased the Three Lions’ potential, and the emergence of Elliot Anderson seems to have finally ended their search for a central midfield partner for Declan Rice.
• But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States.
• Coming closest to Spain in the pre-tournament predictions are France (13.0%), who have contested the last two finals, long-suffering England (11.2%) and defending champions Argentina (10.4%).
• Ivory Coast secured their place in the knockout stages with a convincing 2-0 victory over Curacao, where Nicolas Pepe stole the headlines with a brilliant brace.
• As Uzbekistan have been struggling defensively at the 2026 World Cup finals, we predict a 1-0 home win.

What is the prediction for Germany vs Paraguay?

Each 4-team group sends 2 teams automatically plus 8 of the 12 third-placed teams to R32.

Lionel Scaloni’s men have two major tournament successes in their back pocket since then and can make easy work of this game. You can get daily World Cup 2026 match tips and predictions right here on 1960Tips. Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament. Fresh match predictions, betting tips, and analysis updated every day throughout the tournament. Here is each team’s probability of winning the World Cup, and advancing to each stage of the knockout round, using an old-school, FiveThirtyEight heatmap format. France’s flawless group stage made them the favorite, Argentina drew the kinder half of the bracket, Norway are the dark horse, and Messi leads the Golden Boot race as the competition’s all-time top scorer.

This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site. Luis de la Fuente’s side are arguably the best-equipped team in the tournament because they possess two attributes that are often difficult to marry together. They can dominate possession for long spells, suffocating opponents and conserving energy through control of the ball – but they can also go direct and attack space quickly when the game demands it. They are the reigning European champions too, having beaten England in the final two years ago, and will be looking to add to their only World Cup title from 2010.

As reigning champions with Messi in this sort of form and a full squad at Scaloni’s disposal, they remain a serious title contender. This Round of 32 tie should not test them, and a straightforward progression keeps them well-positioned in the World Cup 2026 bracket for the knockout rounds ahead. Cape Verde’s three World Cup draws are a creditable return against Spain and Uruguay in particular, and their disciplined defensive structure has been central to that. Their friendly results tell a more mixed story, with a heavy defeat to Bermuda sandwiched around a comfortable win over Serbia. The group-stage achievements are genuine, but their attacking output of two goals in three competitive matches underlines the challenge ahead.

The Opta supercomputer makes Brazil the favourites to reach the next round. Brazil have dominated this fixture over the years, winning 11 of their 14 previous meetings with Japan and losing only once. If you’re looking for a simple way to watch the World Cup in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, Xfinity makes it easy to follow the World Cup and stay connected to global soccer year‑round. With the World Soccer Ticket, fans get access to top leagues, live TV, and streaming — all in one place — so you never miss the action. This promises to be one of the most evenly matched ties of the Round of 32. Ivory Coast has the physicality and midfield quality to frustrate Norway, but the Scandinavian side’s clinical finishing and attacking firepower could ultimately prove decisive.

They are one of six participants from South America, along with five-time winners Brazil, who are now led by Carlo Ancelotti as the Seleção seek to end a barren run since claiming their last crown back in 2002. Lionel Messi, finally crowned world champion, was named Player of the Tournament in what many consider the greatest World Cup final ever played. France head the betting to win the 2026 World Cup on Sunday July 19.

• Les Éléphants have reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group E behind Germany on goal difference.
• If you’re looking for a simple way to watch the World Cup in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, Xfinity makes it easy to follow the World Cup and stay connected to global soccer year‑round.
• Eight knockout rounds for the eventual winners, compared to seven previously.
• The Netherlands produced a series of convincing displays in Group F, defeating both Sweden and Tunisia while sharing the spoils with Japan…
• Norway, however, possesses one of the most dangerous forward lines left in the competition.
• With 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, there’s more disparity across the four-team groups than we’re typically used to.
• Netherlands have been impressive this summer, but we are expecting Morocco to record a 2-1 victory in order to progress to the round of 16.
• Croatia vs Spain – Croatia’s remarkable tournament experience and resilience could make this a tightly contested encounter.
• Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final.
• 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One is a new free-to-play Yahoo Fantasy game where fans make picks each round, earn points and climb the leaderboard.
• But Spain’s quality is highlighted by being the only team rated as more likely than not to reach the quarter-finals, which they did 52.1% of the time.
• We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases.

With Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez capable of picking passes from deep, the spaces behind Cape Verde’s defensive line are likely to be tested repeatedly and at pace from the first whistle. Argentina head into this tie with a fully fit and settled squad. Emiliano Martinez is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, with the back four expected to feature Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico as full-backs alongside Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero in central defence. The midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez has functioned well throughout the group stage, and Scaloni has few, if any, selection headaches at this stage of the tournament. Five wins from five across all competitions, with ten goals scored and just one conceded in that run.

But time and again, they flatter to deceive on this stage, and the sight of them hanging on against Iran should give Australia plenty of encouragement. A battle of the veterans as Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, both into their fifth decade, face off for the last time on the big stage. Mexico at the Azteca, backed by a raucous home crowd, has become appointment viewing at this World Cup.

The Oranje’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – losing late on to England – was their best at any tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup. Vinícius has played under five different head coaches since joining Real Madrid, and 149 of his 192 goal involvements for the club came during Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of Los Blancos. Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup.

• The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format used from 1998 through 2022.
• Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2022 tournament, tallying seven goals and three assists.
• Football’s biggest stage returns this summer as a stacked line-up of global contenders collide in pursuit of 2026 FIFA World Cup glory.
• Either would surprise nobody by lifting the trophy in New Jersey.
• Both nations are chasing a place in the last 16, but only one will keep their World Cup dream alive.
• If previous World Cups are anything to go by, shocks and surprises should be a given, so all those teams will still be dreaming of a deep run.
• The Oranje’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – losing late on to England – was their best at any tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup.
• The defending champions won Group J with a perfect record and drew the kinder half of the bracket.
• Each 4-team group sends 2 teams automatically plus 8 of the 12 third-placed teams to R32.
• Picking a winner is harder than it has ever been, and that’s precisely what makes the build-up so compelling.
• Nestor Lorenzo’s team look a little more battle hardened and should edge through.
• The competition has averaged around 2.6 goals per match across its last five editions, with BTTS outcomes in roughly 48% of fixtures and clean sheets recorded in about 40%.
• Germany’s recent World Cup campaigns have fallen short since their 2014 triumph.
• The same cannot be said of Norway and their rested and refreshed talisman Erling Haaland.
• DR Congo head into their final Group K match against Uzbekistan knowing that a win should be enough to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stages.

Ecuador (1.4%) are will messi play 2026 world cup potentially tricky opponents who the top teams will want to avoid. They impressively finished second in South American qualifying and conceded just five goals in 18 matches. Jesse Marsch has a 42.7% chance of leading his team to the last 16, which would represent a magnificent performance. They are expected to challenge Switzerland for top spot in Group B. Erling Haaland struck 16 times in just eight games, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Curaçao are the smallest nation by both area and population to ever get this far and following their progress is one of many fascinating subplots to look out for in a World Cup that is not to be missed. New Zealand, meanwhile, have a 47.8% hope of finding a way out of Group G. That’s another tight pool, as Belgium are favourites, but Egypt and Iran are also expected to compete. Before a ball has been kicked, Scotland’s likeliest result is seen as elimination in the round of 32.

Played every four years, teams battle it out for the Jules Rimet trophy and to have their name etched in history as World Cup winners. This knockout matchup is a close one, but Morocco hold the edge. Their continued success on the international stage has carried momentum into this tournament, supported by a young and exciting group of players. Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation.