Predictor With 28 Correct Forecasts Reveals Round of 16 Picks
Amadu Raheem Komba Gbandeh, a Sierra Leonean man renowned for his football prediction accuracy, has released his pre-match analysis and forecasts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 matches. According to his Facebook post on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Gbandeh, who had already correctly predicted 28 matches, named the eight teams he believes will advance to the quarter-finals.
Round of 16 Fixtures Begin July 4
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 kicks off on Saturday, July 4, with Canada facing Morocco at 6:00 pm Nigerian time, followed by France versus Paraguay later that night. Gbandeh's predictions cover all eight matches scheduled for this stage.
Detailed Match-by-Match Predictions
In his analysis, Gbandeh predicted that Morocco, France, Norway, England, Spain, the United States, Argentina, and Switzerland will emerge victorious. Conversely, Canada, Paraguay, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Belgium, Egypt, and Colombia will be eliminated.
For the Canada vs. Morocco match, Gbandeh stated: "This match will be intense and very open. Expect both teams to score in regular time. The Atlas Lions will dominate the match, but the home support will keep Canada alive through 90 minutes. It's a draw in regular time and a late win in extra time for Morocco. Canada will be eliminated."
Regarding Paraguay vs. France, he wrote: "France's All-Star status and the attacking fluidity of Les Blues will be the turning point for Mbappe and his mates. It's a thumping win for Mbappe and his mates in regular time. Paraguay will kiss goodbye to the World Cup."
On Brazil vs. Norway, Gbandeh commented: "This is an all-out affair as both teams have a lot of attacking fluidity. The Brazilians will have much of the ball, but that decent and unhinged play by the Viking Warriors will be so hard to beat. I see a draw in regulation time, a draw in extra time and a possible penalty shootout in which Norway will sail through. Brazil will be eliminated."
For Mexico vs. England, he predicted: "King Kane and his teammates will get off to a sloppy start in this match. May concede first. Will later equalise, and there will be a long night of football. I see it going all the way into extra time and a possible penalty shootout. I see England progressing to the next stage on penalties."
In Portugal vs. Spain, Gbandeh said: "Portugal are looking like a very much improved team, and they will start well. But the magical play of the Spaniards will be unmatched. I see a draw in 90 minutes but a win for Lamine Yamal and the boys. This will be Ronaldo's last match in the World Cup. Portugal will be knocked out."
For USA vs. Belgium, he noted: "Belgium managed to sneak their way into the round of 16 against a very careless team but won't be able to stand the intensity of the United States. Porch Boys will make life difficult for KDB and his mates. It's a win in regular time for the US and both teams to score. Belgium will be eliminated."
On Argentina vs. Egypt, Gbandeh predicted: "The World Champions will get off to a good start, as they have done against every team they have faced in their last 8 matches in the World Cup. Egypt will come into the party but will be a bit late, as Messi and his boys might have just crushed them. It's a win in regular time for Messi and his mates."
Finally, for Switzerland vs. Colombia, he wrote: "The most difficult to predict fixture on paper. These two teams will have a good go at each other. The match will go to extra time and a possible penalty shootout, in which the Swiss will edge past Colombia. Colombia will be eliminated."
Social Media Reactions
Gbandeh's predictions sparked reactions on Facebook. Ogbonna Ben commented: "Sharp man." Another user, Nnaemeka Bright, said: "These are mere wishes and doesn't come close to predictions. All i can say is, let's watch."
Related World Cup News
In related developments, a supercomputer predicted the 2026 World Cup winner, and Lionel Messi set nine new World Cup records. As noted by CAF, nine out of 10 African countries advanced from the group stage, but after the first knockout round, only Morocco and Egypt remain.
