World Cup 2026 Day 10: Netherlands vs Sweden, USA Reach Knockout Stage, Brazil Close to Advancing
Elizabeth Melimopoulos
Day 10 of the World Cup 2026 features a headline clash between the Netherlands and Sweden in Houston. The US team has secured a knockout berth after beating Australia, while Brazil moved closer to advancing to the next round. Other matches include Germany vs Ivory Coast, Ecuador vs Curacao, and Tunisia vs Japan.
Day 10 of the World Cup 2026 includes four group-stage matches, highlighted by the showdown between the Netherlands and Sweden in Houston. Other matches include Germany vs Ivory Coast in Toronto, Ecuador vs Curacao in Kansas City, and Tunisia vs Japan in Monterrey.
Alongside the matches, the US team clinched a knockout-round spot with a win over Australia, while Brazil edged closer to a place in the next round. Algeria reportedly filed a complaint with FIFA regarding referee decisions in their loss to Argentina, and questions about the cost of attending matches in Vancouver continue to arise.
Saturday match schedule
- Netherlands vs Sweden at Houston Stadium, Texas, USA at 13:00 EDT (17:00 GMT)
- Germany vs Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium, Canada at 16:00 (20:00 GMT)
- Ecuador vs Curacao at Kansas City Stadium, USA at 20:00 EDT (00:00 GMT Sunday)
- Tunisia vs Japan at Monterrey Stadium, Mexico at midnight EDT (06:00 GMT Sunday)
Netherlands vs Sweden prediction
The Netherlands and Sweden have met 20 times, most recently a 2-0 Dutch win in World Cup 2018 qualifying. Sweden has won only one of the last seven meetings with the Netherlands. Despite Sweden's impressive opening win over Tunisia, the Netherlands remains the favorite. The Opta supercomputer gives the Netherlands a 55.9% chance of victory, compared to 20.8% for Sweden, with a 23.3% chance of a draw.
Ecuador vs Curacao prediction
This will be the first ever meeting between Ecuador and Curacao. Ecuador is unbeaten in their last 13 matches against CONCACAF opponents, with seven wins and six draws. Ecuador is the overwhelming favorite, winning in 86.1% of 25,000 Opta simulations. The draw probability is 9.2%, while Curacao has only a 4.7% chance of victory. However, this year's World Cup has already seen some surprises, giving hope to weaker teams.
Germany vs Ivory Coast prediction
Germany and Ivory Coast have met only once, a 2-2 draw in a 2009 friendly. Germany traditionally performs well against African opponents at the World Cup, losing just one of eight such matches. The Opta supercomputer rates Germany as the favorite with a 44.4% win probability. Ivory Coast is rated at 30.0%, with a 25.6% chance of a draw. Ivory Coast is aiming to make history, having never won two matches in a single World Cup.
Tunisia vs Japan prediction
Japan has dominated this fixture, winning five of six matches against Tunisia. Tunisia's only victory came in a 2022 friendly. Despite a recent coaching change for Tunisia, Japan remains the stronger side. Opta gives Japan a 61.3% win probability, with a 22.9% chance of a draw and 15.8% for Tunisia.
USA advance despite Pulisic absence
The US team secured a World Cup knockout berth without captain Christian Pulisic (calf injury), defeating Australia 2-0 to claim two consecutive wins in Group D. After Paraguay beat Turkey, the US also secured top spot in the group. Pulisic missed the match due to a calf injury, but the US showed squad depth by advancing without their star player. The group winner will face a third-placed team in the round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
Brazil boost hopes, Neymar close to return
Matheus Cunha scored a brace, and Vinicius Junior added a goal and an assist, as Brazil cruised past Haiti 3-0, boosting their knockout-stage hopes. The defeat ended Haiti's hopes of advancing, making them the first team eliminated from the expanded 48-team tournament. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti also revealed that Neymar is expected to return from injury in the final group match against Scotland.
Netherlands vs Sweden: A clash of tradition
The encounter between the Netherlands and Sweden is one of the standout matches of Day 10. With 20 previous meetings, the Netherlands holds a clear advantage. In the last seven meetings, Sweden has won only once. However, buoyed by their opening win over Tunisia, Sweden could well spring a surprise. Experts and the supercomputer still favor the Netherlands, but football always holds surprises.
