Two heavyweight Round of 16 ties close out the second knockout round on July 6 — Portugal vs Spain and Belgium vs USA. Full preview and betting tips in WAT.
The Round of 16 wraps up its penultimate day on July 6 with two of the tournament’s biggest names on the line. Portugal face Spain in Arlington in a rematch of Iberian pride, while the United States host Belgium in Seattle in front of what should be a deafening home crowd. Only two games are on today’s card, but both carry serious weight — the loser in each tie goes home, and the winners book a place in the last eight. Here is our full World Cup 2026 July 6 predictions and betting tips guide, with every kick-off time in WAT (UTC+1) and our best picks for Nigerian punters.
Kick-off: 8:00 PM WAT (3:00 PM ET)
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
This is the standout fixture of the day. Spain arrive unbeaten and yet to concede a goal at this World Cup, a defensive record built on five clean sheets and capped by a 3-0 dismantling of Austria in the last 32. Mikel Oyarzabal has been the surprise package in attack, joint-top scorer in the tournament with four goals, while teenager Lamine Yamal continues to torment defenders down the right.
Portugal have had a bumpier road. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line with three goals and the tournament’s highest expected-goals tally among Portuguese players, but the team needed a 94th-minute Gonçalo Ramos header just to see off Croatia in the last 32. That late scare shows a side capable of moments of brilliance but prone to slow starts — exactly the kind of opening Spain’s midfield will look to punish.
The bookmakers make Spain clear favourites, and the underlying numbers back that up: more shots, more clean sheets, more control of games so far. But this is Portugal vs Spain in a World Cup knockout tie, and history says these games rarely go to script. Ronaldo has a habit of showing up on the biggest occasions, and a nervy Spain back line facing him for 90 minutes is not a comfortable prospect.
Bet tip: Spain to Win — ~1.85. Both Teams to Score — ~1.80 is the smarter combination if you expect Ronaldo to find a way through.
Kick-off: 1:00 AM WAT July 7 (8:00 PM ET July 6)
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
The late one is a genuine coin-flip. The USA reached the last 16 by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, and Folarin Balogun is available again after FIFA suspended the red card he picked up in that game — a timely boost for a host nation riding a wave of home support. Seattle’s Lumen Field is one of the loudest venues at this World Cup, and the Americans will lean on that atmosphere from the first whistle.
Belgium are no easy touch, though. Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans both scored in the closing stages to drag their side level against Senegal in the last 32 before winning 3-2 in extra time — a result that says as much about Belgium’s resolve as it does their vulnerability under pressure. This is an aging Belgian golden generation that still has enough quality to hurt anyone, but they have needed extra time in back-to-back knockout rounds to prove it.
Markets have this close to even money, and rightly so. The USA’s pace on the counter through Balogun and their home advantage give them a genuine edge, but Belgium’s experience in knockout football is not to be underestimated. This looks a game that could easily go beyond 90 minutes.
Bet tip: USA to Win — ~2.70. Draw No Bet: USA — ~1.55 is the safer way in if you want to back the hosts without the draw risk.
Spain to Win vs Portugal — ~1.85
USA to Win vs Belgium — ~2.70
Both Teams to Score: Portugal vs Spain — ~1.80
Draw No Bet — USA vs Belgium — ~1.55
Both games look set to shape the second half of the World Cup 2026 quarter-final bracket, with Morocco and France already through and waiting for their next opponents. For our recommended multi-bet combining these two fixtures, see our World Cup accumulator tips for July 6. Full odds and markets are available at Nigeria’s best betting sites. Gamble responsibly and only stake what you can afford to lose.
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