DeepSeek

Ecuador arrive on a 19-match unbeaten run with the best defensive record in South American qualifying, anchored by Moisés Caicedo and the back three of Ordóñez-Pacho-Hincapié. Ivory Coast are without Evan Ndicka (injury) and Sébastien Haller (omission), meaning Agbadou and Singo form an improvised centre-back pairing that Ecuador's Enner Valencia can test on transitions. The Ivorian midfield of Kessié and Seko Fofana is powerful but can be bypassed by Ecuador's quick three-man forward line. Ecuador's 3-4-3 gives them width through Minda and Plata, while Ivory Coast's wide threat (Pépé, Touré) is real but they lack a proven No. 9 — Wahi is raw at this level. A tight, low-scoring game suits Ecuador's structure; they nick it 1-0 with Enner Valencia scoring from a Caicedo through-ball in the second half.

Netherlands have a clear technical and physical advantage, with a settled 4-3-3 that controls midfield through Frenkie de Jong and Gravenberch. Japan are missing key players Endo and Mitoma, and their 3-4-2-1 leaves them vulnerable wide — exactly where Dumfries and Summerville can exploit. Van Dijk is dominant on set pieces, and Gakpo is the primary penalty taker. Japan's best hope is Kubo's creativity and Ueda's finishing on the counter, but Verbruggen is solid. Expect 2-0 Netherlands: Gakpo from open play, Van Dijk from a set piece, and Japan scoring a late consolation through Ueda after Netherlands ease off.

This is a massive mismatch. Germany, a World Cup heavyweight, faces debutants Curaçao in a group-stage opener. Germany's XI is stacked with elite creators (Musiala, Wirtz, Sané) and a clinical finisher in Havertz, while Curaçao's defence — despite being compact — is largely made up of players from mid-tier European leagues and will be overwhelmed by Germany's high press and quick combinations. Germany's midfield double-pivot of Pavlović and Nmecha offers control, and the full-backs (Kimmich, Brown) will push high. Curaçao's best hope is transition via Chong and Hansen, but Neuer should handle limited chances. Expect a multi-goal German win with goals spread across their attacking stars. Havertz from close range, Wirtz pulling the strings, Musiala dribbling through, and Sané cutting inside — all likely scorers. A set-piece header from Tah or Schlotterbeck is also plausible. Curaçao may grab a consolation if Germany ease off, but the scoreline should be emphatic.

Australia's XI is experimental — Beach debuts in goal behind a back three of Circati, Souttar and Burgess, with Italiano and Bos as wing-backs. The midfield trio of O'Neill, Okon-Engstler and Metcalfe is raw and lacks international rhythm. Toure leads the line but gets little service against Türkiye's experienced center-back pairing of Demiral and Bardakcı. Türkiye, by contrast, field their strongest XI: Çalhanoğlu pulls the strings from deep, Kökçü and Güler provide creativity between the lines, and Aktürkoğlu's movement off the left stretches Australia's back three. Australia's disjointed buildup and defensive inexperience will be punished. Türkiye's quality in midfield and wide areas should produce two goals, while Australia may snatch a consolation through a set-piece or a moment from Irankunda's pace. A 2-1 Türkiye win feels right — but the scoreline could easily be 2-0 if Australia fail to convert.

Scotland are heavy favourites based on ranking (40 places above Haiti) and form (4-1 vs Curacao, 4-0 vs Bolivia). They have a strong midfield with McTominay, McGinn and Ferguson all capable of arriving late and scoring. Haiti's defence is untested at this level, and while they have pace on the counter through Isidor and Pierrot, Scotland's backline of Hickey, Hanley, Hendry and Robertson is solid. Haiti will be compact and look to hit on the break, but Scotland's quality should tell. Expect Scotland to control possession and score two goals — McTominay from a late run, Adams from a cutback. Haiti may grab a consolation through Isidor catching Scotland napping on a counter. 2-1 Scotland.

Brazil start as clear favorites despite Neymar's absence — Ancelotti's side has depth in attack with Vinícius Jr., Raphinha, and Igor Thiago, while Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães give them control in midfield. Morocco, without Sofyan Amrabat in the XI and with a young midfield pivot of Bouaddi and El Aynaoui, may struggle to contain Brazil's wide threats. However, Morocco's counter-attacking quality through Brahim Díaz and Hakimi's overlapping runs can trouble Brazil's high line. The head-to-head is 1-1, but Brazil's superior individual quality should prevail in a high-tempo opener. I expect Brazil to score twice — Vinícius Jr. cutting in from the left and Raphinha finishing a quick transition — while Morocco grab a consolation through Brahim Díaz on the break. The scoreline reflects Brazil's control without being a rout.

Qatar are the clear underdogs here. Their World Cup history is three losses in 2022, and they face a Swiss side that is tactically disciplined, experienced, and strong defensively — they conceded only 2 goals in 6 qualifiers. Switzerland's XI has quality throughout: Akanji and Elvedi at centre-back, Xhaka and Freuler controlling midfield, and Embolo leading the line. Qatar will rely heavily on Afif and Edmilson for counter-attacks, but Switzerland's shape should contain them. The Swiss are likely to dominate possession and create chances through Ndoye's width, Vargas's dribbling, and Embolo's physical presence. Expect Switzerland to score twice — Embolo from a cross (Ndoye assist) and Vargas cutting inside (Xhaka assist). Qatar may grab a consolation through Afif, their talisman, on a break. 1-2 Switzerland feels right.

The USA start Matt Freese in goal (Turner dropped) and a 3-4-2-1 with Pulisic and Tillman behind Balogun. Paraguay sit deep in a 4-4-2 with Cubas and Bobadilla shielding a veteran centre-back pair, but they lack pace wide — Dest and Robinson can overlap aggressively. The US out-shot Paraguay 2-1 in the November friendly and now have home advantage at SoFi. Paraguay will rely on Enciso and Almirón on the break, but Richards and Ream are experienced enough to contain them. Expect an early US goal to force Paraguay forward, leaving space for a second before the hour, and a late Pulisic finish to seal it. Paraguay's attack lacks the cohesion to score.

Canada are at home in Toronto, riding an eight-match unbeaten run under Jesse Marsch's high-press system, while Bosnia needed penalty shootouts just to qualify and have conceded first in recent matches. Bosnia's backline (Katić, Muharemović) is slow and will be stretched by David's movement and Buchanan's width. Bosnia's best outlet is Džeko off the bench, but without him starting and with Canada's full-backs pushing high, the hosts should control possession. David (Canada's all-time scorer) gets two, Oluwaseyi converts a second from a Buchanan cross, and Bosnia struggle to break down Crépeau.

This Group A opener is a stylistic clash — South Korea's fluid front four (Son, Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung) against Czechia's tall, physical 3-4-2-1 anchored by Souček and Krejčí. Korea will look to exploit the space behind Zelený and Coufal with Son's dribbling and Lee Kang-in's creativity. Czechia rely on Schick's hold-up play and Šulc/Provod arriving late. With no confirmed injury concerns on either side and both teams nervous in a World Cup opener, expect an open, transitional game. Korea's centre-back pairing of Kim Min-jae and the inexperienced Lee Han-beom is vulnerable to Schick's aerial ability, while Czechia's back-three lack pace against Son and Lee Kang-in. Korea score first through a Son break; Souček levels from a corner; Lee Kang-in restores the lead with a free-kick; Schick equalises late after a set-piece scramble. A 2-2 draw feels the most balanced outcome.

Mexico are heavy favorites at home in the Azteca opener, with a clear ranking and squad-depth advantage. South Africa's 5-3-2 will sit deep and look to counter through Foster's pace, but Mexico's midfield trio of Fidalgo, Gutiérrez and Alvarado should control possession. Raúl Jiménez is the penalty taker and focal point, while Julián Quiñones offers direct running. South Africa's best hope is a set-piece or a Foster counter, but Mexico's defensive line of Montes-Vásquez should handle it. Expect Mexico to break through in the second half after sustained pressure, with Jiménez scoring from the spot and Quiñones adding a second. South Africa may grab a consolation through Foster on a break.