World Cup 2026 Odds, Updated Predictions for Thursday's Round of 32 Matches

The Round of 32 continues in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Thursday, with three potentially dramatic showdowns on tap.

Spain battles Austria to kick off the day's action before Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Croatia. Arguably, the best game of the day may come last as Switzerland squares off with Algeria.

Dive deeper into the day's games and find out who the oddsmakers favor ahead of the showdowns in this preview.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Spain vs. Austria

Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

Odds

Spain (-1000; bet $100, win $10)

Austria (+630; bet $100, win $630)

Neither Spain nor Austria enters Thursday's game with a ton of momentum. La Roja tied Uruguay in a scoreless affair while Das Team waited 96 minutes to tie Algeria and advance to the knockout round.

Still, Thursday's game presents an intriguing match-up, if only because the Austrians could frustrate Spain with their pressing, attacking style. Spain will need Lamine Yamal to play at his best and the team to play its most complete game to date in the tournament.

Otherwise, they are primed for an upset at the hands of an Austrian team that may not have impressed in the group stage, but is more than capable of upsetting Spain and advancing to the round of 16.

Still, La Roja has the talent to survive and advance, at least once more, as their long history of underperformance in the knockout stage of the World Cup suggests their run could be over sooner rather than later.

Prediction: Spain

Portugal vs. Croatia

Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Odds

Portugal (-320)

Croatia (+250)

Portugal has won seven of their last 10 against Croatia and, on paper, has the better team. Still, Zlatko Dalić's team has a history of upsetting teams perceived to be better than they are, and if they can control the tempo of Thursday's game, they can ensure a similar outcome.

Portugal will look to create space and work within it, all while setting a fast-paced tone that allows them to attack early and often. Croatia will have to play with spatial awareness, filling gaps and preventing their opponents from taking advantage of any offensive looks.

The Croatians have the driving defensive backfield to counter the Portuguese. The question will be whether it can hold up for the entire 90 minutes against a fast, quick, relentless squad.

It may prove to be too much of an ask, even if the team can tout several upset wins in international play.

Prediction: Portgual

Switzerland vs. Algeria

Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Odds

Switzerland (-210)

Algeria (+170)

Switzerland's defensive struggles could prove problematic against one of the most resilient teams in the tournament.

The team could be without Silvan Widmer in Thursday's Round of 32 match-up, meaning the young and mostly untested Luca Jaquez would be thrust onto the international stage against a tough Algerian squad.

The Desert Foxes are not without their own injury issues, as Mohamed El Amine Amoura will miss Thursday's game due to a severe hamstring injury.

Without their best attacker, there is reason for concern for Algeria, who will have to find a steady and consistent offense elsewhere.

Unfortunately, defensive issues or not for the Swiss, they may prove to be too loaded with depth for Algeria to pull off the upset in what is otherwise the closest match-up on Thursday's slate.

Prediction: Switzerland