World Cup prediction markets have set the stage for Thursday’s three-match schedule, which will determine which teams progress to the Round of 16 and which will be ready for a summer vacation.
Today’s games feature the pre-tournament favorite, Spain, which has fallen down the board amid France’s dominance. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will also be in action against a Croatian team that finished second and third at the last two World Cups.
There are no do-overs or mulligans at this stage of the tournament. As the six different nations prepare to take the pitch, these are our best World Cup predictions.
World Cup predictions: July 2
Spain vs. Austria Prediction
Spain is yet to taste defeat in this tournament, having beaten Saudi Arabia and Uruguay after a shocking 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. This team won every single game at the 2024 European Championship, although the injury loss of Nico Williams means that it doesn’t have the same firepower it used to. They’re still extremely resolute and creative and will be a tough out for anyone.
Austria scored six and conceded six goals in the Group Stage en route to four points, based on a win against Jordan, a loss to Argentina, and a draw with Algeria. The industrious Austrians are physical and look to impose themselves on their opponents more than they play through them. They haven’t beaten a European team since San Marino in Oct. 2025 and need to control the tempo of the game to have a real chance.
Kalshi users believe there’s an 86% chance that Spain will advance out of this round. Austria could make the matchup interesting with an early goal or by turning it into a stop-and-start game with lots of fouls, but that doesn’t seem likely. This is one of our favorite World Cup predictions today.
Trade Handle Spain vs. Austria prediction: Spain to advance ($.87 at Kalshi)
Spain vs. Austria: How to Watch
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo, FOX One
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Portugal vs. Croatia Prediction
The Portuguese tied DR Congo — which now looks like a solid result — thumped Uzbekistan, and played a goalless draw with Colombia in the Group Stage. They have creative players on their team, although they don’t fit together like a glove when they share the pitch. For all of the talent this team has all over the pitch, it also hasn’t given the impression that it is connected and mentally resolute enough to go on a deep run.
This version of the Croatian national team is not the same as the one that went on runs in the last two World Cups. It lost to England, 4-2, snuck a winner against Panama, and beat Ghana in the Group Stage. Luka Modric’s experience in midfield will prove to be invaluable, although the defense is shaky and the team is generally old and not potent in attack.
Portugal has more quality and the energy and athleticism associated with youth, but its lack of chemistry on the pitch could be its Achilles heel against a team that shares as strong a bond as Croatia. This would be an upset, but this writer could see Portugal’s World Cup hopes coming to an end earlier than most expect.
Trade Handle Portugal vs. Croatia prediction: Croatia advances ($.31 at Kalshi)
Portugal vs. Croatia: How to Watch
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo, FOX One
Location: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Switzerland vs. Algeria Prediction
The Swiss secured seven points in the Group Stage with an aggregate score of 7-3 against Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Qatar. They conceded in all three games, but they also created plenty of opportunities in attack and have capable personnel in defense. This team’s ability to overload the midfield and get its foot on the ball has been invaluable throughout the tournament.
Algeria kept its World Cup hopes alive with a last-second tying goal against Austria, giving it four points in the Group Stage. A lone win against World Cup debutant Jordan isn’t very impressive, and for as much as Algeria tried to take games to its opponents, it didn’t look remotely close to the quality of its opponent when it took on a world power, Argentina. Switzerland is a nice middle-ground test, although Algeria will still be the underdog.
Switzerland has hidden quality on its roster and secured results in every Group Stage game. It is much easier to get behind them than it is Algeria, which was a beat away from missing the Knockout entirely.
Trade Handle Switzerland vs. Algeria prediction: Switzerland to advance ($.66 at Kalshi)
Switzerland vs. Algeria: How to Watch
Kickoff: 11:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo, FOX One
Location: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada