Three Round of 32 blockbusters on June 29 – including Morocco’s huge test against the Netherlands. Here are our full predictions and betting tips.
Monday, June 29 brings three knockout matches to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it is one of the most watchable days of the tournament so far. Brazil face Japan in Houston, Germany take on Paraguay in Boston, and the night ends with a mouthwatering clash between the Netherlands and Morocco in Monterrey. For Nigerian fans, that last fixture is unmissable — an African team going into a knockout game against one of Europe’s heavyweights.
All kick-off times are in WAT (West Africa Time, UTC+1).
Brazil arrived at this World Cup under pressure to deliver, and they have answered with authority. The Seleção topped Group C with seven points from three games, going unbeaten through a tournament that has already seen some big names stumble. Vinícius Júnior leads the Golden Boot race with four goals, and Neymar’s return to the starting line-up for the final group game added a new dimension to their attack that Japan will have to plan for.
Japan are no pushovers. The Blue Samurai finished as runners-up in Group F with five points and have the tournament’s best shot conversion rate — 26 percent of their attempts have found the net, the highest of any of the 48 nations. They also won their most recent international meeting against Brazil, handing the South Americans a rare defeat in October 2025. That context makes this game more interesting than the odds suggest.
The history still weighs heavily against Japan, though. They are winless in all four of their previous World Cup knockout appearances, while Brazil have won at least one knockout game in each of the last eight World Cups. Japan will make this uncomfortable but expect Brazil to find their way through.
Our tip: Brazil to Win — Bet9ja odds 1.65
Value bet: Over 2.5 Goals — odds 2.10. Both teams scored seven goals in the group stage. Brazil have firepower up front, Japan push forward with ambition, and this fixture has the look of a game where goals flow once the opener arrives.
Germany came into this tournament looking to prove themselves after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, and they delivered exactly that in the group stage. They topped Group E on the back of a staggering 7-1 demolition of Curaçao and a stoppage-time winner against Ivory Coast, though they did slip to a 1-0 loss against Ecuador in their final group match. That slip will provide motivation going into the knockout rounds.
Paraguay are the underdogs, but they are not here by accident. They edged out Turkey 1-0 in a crucial group decider after being thrashed 4-1 by USA in their opener. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro has drilled them into a disciplined, counter-attacking side that is dangerous in transition. Miguel Almiron, back available after serving a one-game suspension, gives them genuine quality on the break.
Germany are without Nico Schlotterbeck, who suffered an ankle injury in the group stage. That is a loss at centre-back but the Germans have sufficient depth to absorb it. Paraguay’s Diego Gomez is also suspended, which weakens their midfield engine.
The gap in quality is significant. Germany should have enough to see this through without it being a walk in the park.
Our tip: Germany to Win — Bet9ja odds 1.45
Value bet: Germany to Win and Under 3.5 Goals — odds ~2.00. Paraguay will keep things tight and this has the feel of a 1-0 or 2-0 German win rather than a goalfest.
This is the fixture that Nigerian fans have circled. Morocco have been one of the standout sides of the tournament — unbeaten in the group stage, highly organised defensively and electric in attack. They drew 1-1 with Brazil in what many felt should have been a Moroccan win, before defeating Scotland 1-0 and Haiti 4-2. In total, they scored six group-stage goals — as many as they managed in seven matches at the entire 2022 World Cup.
Ismael Saibari has been extraordinary. The PSV midfielder, who is reportedly set to join Bayern Munich, scored three goals in three group games, becoming the first African player to score in all three of his team’s group-stage fixtures at a World Cup. If he scores tonight, he will equal Roger Milla’s record of four goals in a single World Cup — one of the most iconic achievements in African football history.
The Netherlands are the favourites. They won Group F with seven points, including a 5-1 dismantling of Sweden that announced them as serious contenders. Cody Gakpo has been sharp and creative, and the Dutch defensive structure gives little away. Manager Ronald Koeman has set them up with discipline as the foundation and quick transitions as the weapon.
This should be a tightly contested game. Morocco do not concede often and the Under 2.5 Goals market looks strong value.
Our tip: Under 2.5 Goals — Bet9ja odds 1.65
Value bet: Morocco Double Chance (Draw or Win) — odds ~2.00. The Atlas Lions are playing with confidence, their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is in superb form, and they have proved they can hold their own against the best. A draw is very much on the cards, and if Morocco can nick it, this Nigerian audience will be celebrating.
For the full Morocco World Cup 2026 guide — squad details, fixtures and group performance — visit our Morocco World Cup 2026 guide.
| Match | Tip | Approx Odds |
|—|—|—|
| Brazil vs Japan | Brazil to Win | 1.65 |
| Germany vs Paraguay | Germany to Win | 1.45 |
| Netherlands vs Morocco | Under 2.5 Goals | 1.65 |
Today’s accumulator builds on all three of these selections — see our [World Cup 2026 accumulator tips for June 29](#) for the full multi-bet breakdown.
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