World Cup 2026: Brazil going out? Chris Sutton's score predictions for last-16 ties

Only 16 teams are left in the 2026 World Cup, but who will make it to the final at MetLife Stadium near New York City on 19 July?

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton did pretty well with his predictions for the last 32, but Paraguay's win over Germany caught him out, as well as most of you.

From more than 60,000 user predictions for that game, only 2% of you went for a Paraguay win.

You did pretty well otherwise, however - Morocco's win over the Netherlands was the only other result you got wrong.

Chris was right with 13/16 predictions while AI got 12/16.

With 88 of this World Cup's 104 matches now completed, the users still lead the way.

Chris has been right 54 times (61%), AI has a score of 55 (63%), but you lot are on top with 62 (70%).

Will there be any more surprises in the last 16, which includes Mexico against England and Paraguay against France?

AI's predictions have been generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat. We simply asked the tool to 'predict the results of the World Cup last-16 ties'.

The new BBC predictor game allows readers to pick a winner from each knockout tie.

PLAY WORLD CUP PREDICTOR HERE

Houston 18:00 BST

Canada boss Jesse Marsch seems to have annoyed a few people with his behaviour on the touchline at this tournament but the important thing is what his team thinks of him.

He seems to be one of those managers where, if you are playing for him, you quite like him - and his high-intensity style has also got results.

To get this far, Canada have picked up their first World Cup point and then their first World Cup win along the way. It's been an adventure for them, but it ends here.

They will probably have more of a go at Morocco than the negative Netherlands did in the last round, but I suspect Morocco will quite like that.

I actually think Morocco can win this World Cup but, first things first, they will definitely win this game.

I am covering it for Radio 5 live and my commentary colleague Eilidh Barbour agrees with me about the result, but thinks France will be too strong for Morocco in the quarter-finals.

But that's why I'm the one doing the predictions - she's not going to win any bravery awards for saying that, is she?

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

AI's prediction: 1-2

New York 21:00 BST

If Brazil win this World Cup it will be because of their manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

He showed again in their win over Japan in the last 32 that he always finds a way - his Brazil team don't have a defined style, but they are able to adapt and almost play on feel, depending on how the game is going.

But we saw against Japan that they did not quite have the legs to compete in the middle of the park - Japan just ran past Casemiro to score their goal - and Norway will feel like they can hurt them too.

I think everyone is looking forward to seeing Brazil's Arsenal centre-half Gabriel renew his rivalry with Norway's Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on an international stage, and I don't see him keeping Haaland quiet.

You've probably seen the stats that Norway are the only team Brazil have never beaten - they have drawn twice and lost twice in four meetings since 1998 - and also that Brazil have been beaten by the first European team they have played in a knockout round at every World Cup since 2002.

This time? It is going to go the distance - and I just have a feeling that Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland will be their hero in the shootout to settle it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2 after extra time. Norway to win on penalties.

AI's prediction: 4-2

Mexico City 01:00 BST

England's ability to acclimatise after only arriving on Friday will definitely play a part in their performance here.

I ran around Mexico City when I was there for the tournament opener and the altitude did not affect me - but then I am a machine.

Mexico's home record in competitive matches is phenomenal too but, on the flip side, England are the toughest opponent they have faced at Azteca Stadium for a long time.

Thomas Tuchel's team thoroughly deserved their win over DR Congo in the last 32.

I am not convinced by them defensively but I can see them creating enough chances to get through this tie too, with Harry Kane taking a couple of them.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

AI's prediction: 1-2

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