Ranking the toughest World Cup knockout draws: Is Argentina, Spain, France or England in danger of upset?

· Yahoo Sports

Ranking the toughest World Cup knockout draws: Is Argentina, Spain, France or England in danger of upset? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Visit biznow.biz for more information.

The first cull of the World Cup has taken place, with 16 sides falling away upon the conclusion of the group stage.

More purges are on the way in the days and weeks to come. 32 will turn to 16 before long, with that number whittling down as the tournament wears on. Powerhouses like Argentina, France and England will expect to keep their place in the tourney as it nears its crescendo. The same can be said for dark horse candidates like Morocco, Senegal, Japan and Norway.

Soccer has long been an unequal game. That's also reflected in the knockout stages, with the bracket proving kindly to some and fateful to others.

Whose path looks the most harrowing? The Sporting News looks at the toughest World Cup knockout draws in this year's tournament.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Ranking the toughest World Cup knockout draws

Portugal

  • Round of 32: Croatia
  • Round of 16: Spain or Austria
  • Quarterfinals: United States, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belgium, Senegal

While not the same caliber of squad as tournament favorites Argentina, France, Spain and England, Portugal undoubtedly harbored ambitions of progressing past the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006. That seems an unlikely proposition given its current slate of games.

Roberto Martinez's side was fairly underwhelming in the group stage, sandwiching a 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan with draws against DR Congo and Colombia. Portugal produced little in the way of chances during either contest, failing to eclipse 1.00 xG in either tilt.

Cristiano Ronaldo found the scoresheet against Uzbekistan, bringing his lengthy World Cup scoring duck to an end. But that might've proven fool's gold. He tallied just 25 and 35 touches in Portugal's other two group stage games, failing to affect the game from his post.

Croatia very well could be considered favorites in Portugal's Round of 32 game. If Ronaldo and Co. get through, they are likely to take on Spain in the Round of 16, a daunting sight for any side hoping to compete for a title. In the event that Selecao fends off its Round of 16 foe, one of the United States, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belgium or Senegal will await in the quarters. Given Portugal's toils thus far and Martinez's tactical deficiencies, it's hard to see a route to the latter stages of this year's tournament.

Germany

  • Round of 32: Paraguay
  • Round of 16: France or Sweden
  • Quarterfinals: South Africa, Canada, Netherlands, Morocco

It's hard to tell just how good Germany is. A 7-1 win over tournament newcomer Curacao flattered Julian Nagelsmann's side, while the Germans were arguably fortunate to not suffer defeat at the hands of a wasteful Ivory Coast side. Ecuador, meanwhile, put a second-string German team to the sword — albeit having to come back from one-goal down to do so.

Nagelsmann's bunch should have enough to get past Paraguay in the Round of 32. The Round of 16 might be a different story. The Germans are likely to meet France in that tilt, one of just three sides to claim wins in all three of its group stage games.

Die Mannschaft is teeming with talent at all levels of the pitch. Still, its star power pales in comparison to that of Les Bleus, who boast perhaps the world's best front three with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Mexico

  • Round of 32: Ecuador
  • Round of 16: England or DR Congo
  • Quarterfinals: Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast, Norway

El Tri enjoyed its greatest-ever showing in the group stage, sweeping aside all comers to finish the slate perfect. It was rewarded for its displays with a daunting matchup against Ecuador, a side widely considered to be dark horses to make some noise heading into the tournament.

While the Ecuadorians are lacking in firepower at the top of the pitch, they have a solid spine, with Moises Caicedo, William Pacho and Piero Hincapie proving leading lights in Sebastian Beccacece's setup.

If the Mexicans advance, things won't get much easier in the Round of 16. One of England or DR Congo will await in the Round of 16, followed by one of Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway — all of whom could make some noise deep in the tourney.

Brazil

  • Round of 32: Japan
  • Round of 16: Ivory Coast or Norway
  • Quarterfinals: Mexico, Ecuador, England, DR Congo

Selecao found its footing as the group stage wore on, collecting back-to-back 3-0 wins to storm to the top of the group. Japan awaits in the Round of 32, an intimidating prospect for a side that looked lackluster in its only real test against Morocco.

Ivory Coast and Norway are similarly explosive, their attacks firing them to success in the group stages. Yan Diamonde and Erling Haaland ranked among the best players at their respective positions during the group stage and figure to strike fear in opposition defenses. Brazil, for all of its flourish, would likely want to see someone else in its second knockout stage match.

Belgium

  • Round of 32: Senegal
  • Round of 16: United States or Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Quarterfinals: Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Austria

Belgium finally found its footing in the final game of the group stage, putting five past a lowly New Zealand side to surge to the top of the group. Its prior two outings — draws to Iran and Egypt — left something to be desired, however.

Senegal toiled in its opening two games, putting too much faith in aging veterans over its youthful talents. It showed signs of life in its blowout win over Iraq. If Pape Thiaw's bunch invests into its youth, it could gash Belgium's unpredictable defense.

The USMNT are favorites for the Round of 16, posing another challenge to whoever claims the Belgium-Senegal match. The quarterfinals would prove even more harrowing, with Portugal, Croatia or Spain potentially waiting in the wings.

Read full story at source