FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Preview | Morally Abhorrent

The Dan Le Batard Show

The Dan Le Batard Show reviews the early Round of 32 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting Canada’s dramatic win, Morocco vs. Netherlands as a key clash, and the growing cultural impact of the tournament in the U.S. The hosts express excitement over rising soccer enthusiasm, media evolution, and fan engagement.

Key takeaways

• Canada’s late win marks a historic moment despite a dull match.
• Morocco vs. Netherlands is seen as a high-stakes, high-scoring clash.
• U.S. soccer culture is evolving with mainstream media embracing the sport.

Transcript preview

Howdy everyone it is Mike Ryan here live morally abhorrent we're gonna bring Chris Felica on in a second I think you can hear the bear rummaging through his cave right now even we're gonna we're gonna bring bear on and in just a moment preview this incredible round of 32 but we get underway with Canada in South Africa a standalone match not really sure what people was thinking with just one match on Sunday and it ends up being probably the worst match of the entire entire World Cup tournament. No real takeaway here other than Alfonso Davies, Canada's most talented, most brilliant soccer product, finally makes his World Cup debut in 2026 for Canada. Changes the game somewhat does impact it. They certainly looked a lot more threatening in the attack once he joined the field. Canada gets a late winner, thank God. We don't have, sit through extra time in that one because that game bear was probably, I know it was a knockout stage, so you had some traumatic moments and some clearances off the line and whatnot, but that was a pretty boring match. I was probably the worst match of this tournament. It was exactly, well, you figure we had the most exciting, most batshit wild match last night with Austria and Algeria. So of course we're in a back up with the biggest stud, but as it better, like what's better than that? The only thing that was disappointing for me is that it ultimately didn't and it started be played that over four and a half matches to go to penalties and it looked like we were going to get one there but credit Canada for getting the late winter but yeah this is going to be interesting to see a lot of people that are new to soccer we saw all of the the overs and the big star scoring and the both teams to score in the group stage knockout round matches are a completely different animal and it would not be surprising to me to see a lot more matches wind up this way than what we saw, say last night with a three-three, a wild match where the lead changes hands a couple of times. Yeah, I've spoken to some sources inside of sports books, Bear, and everyone in the United States is kind of blown away at the sheer volume of this. So you have some World Cup games rivaling American football action and we'll talk to you about the betting angle here. Canada was a lot of people's pick to make it to at least the round of 16. I think most people's were going to win their group if that was going to be their path. They don't end up playing in Vancouver. They're going to stay here in the States and they're going to need all the luck that they can have against our next opponent because there's an absolute banger of a game between Morocco and Netherlands. I think that one is happening in Monterrey. That match is going to be incredible. I don't think we anticipate Canada going very long, but this is probably the greatest moment in their soccer nation's history, at least on the men's It has to be a first first knockout round win, whether it was going to be them or a final, a final. They get through and I think this was something that a lot of people were looking at. When you looked at the betting angles and look at the handicapping on, the Netherlands were a lot of people sleeper. Morocco were a lot of people sleeper. Like I thought Morocco could win that group against Brazil. Ultimately, they finished second. But you have a matchup now tomorrow in Monterey. This is like a quarterfinal final or a semi-final type matchup with, with two team, with two teams, 8 in the FIFA rankings, which really don't mean a hell of a lot to me, but people will see that. And obviously the Dutch defense has been a little bit of a mess so far. People thought it was going to be one of the stronger units in the attorney, but they haven't kept a clean sheet yet. And Morocco has certainly been getting goals when they needed them at opportune time. So this is a great one to finish off tomorrow night. And I would certainly expect the winner of this one to get through to the quarter-final and most likely play France. So. on that game since you've already done a pretty good job previewing it bear what's a betting angle here for you I think this is gonna be a popular both teams to score that that one's probably gonna be a little taxed yeah it is and that was what I landed on when I was doing my some of my little videos before I think both teams to score is a very obvious angle here because you do have players like Dumfrees in the back for the Netherlands that can score he came he was not shy about putting the ball on goal. Both teams to score would be my play here and a draw. You might be able to get a pretty nice price on a draw too because I think you're probably paying a little bit of attacks on the Dutch just because of their goal scoring ability here. But Morocco is certainly a team that can can shut them down in 1-1, even 2-2 would not be a surprise to me at all. But both teams to score, despite the tax and despite my talking about how in the knockout rounds you normally don't see a lot of this I think draw both teams to score would be the way I would attack this. What do you think gets through I favor the Dutch to advance in this one I think it's gonna be a high scoring affair I know Morocco's gone deep in knockout stages here recently in a couple of different tournaments but with Broby coming on in the attack and Gackboo seemingly being a much different player when he puts on that orange shirt I think that they'll be able to crack that that back line. I ultimately do think the Dutch will get through I do think they have more options to score I hope not because I have a Morocco to reach the around a 16 ticket in pocket as well so but I do think the Dutch ultimately get throughout I will wonder though if they get to if they get to kicks maybe you do have a an edge here for Morocco because I'm the Dutch goalkeeping has been a little bit of a question more moving forward. Yeah definitely if they have from Morocco's keeper things going tomorrow with an absolute banger of a match one that we kind of saw like a freight train coming our way when the groups came out everyone everyone was excited about the possibility of Japan and Brazil now this is an upset special that I foretold in our initial preview episodes and I know Brazil with their high press they look good Venetius for my monies probably you can make an argument he's been the best player this tournament I think probably second best I just rate what Jude Bellingham has done defensively I just rate what but Beneches has been really a pleasant surprise with how effective his high press has been and his clinical finishing. I don't think this is Scotland, right? I don't think that Japan is going to be as phased by the pressing as certainly Scotland was. Japan just seemed so skilled and so good with the ball at their feet. They do have some injuries here, which, you know, play into Brazil's advantage a little bit, but I think both team scored here and I'm just still hold on to the hope that I had before this tournament got going that Japan can snipe Brazil here that being said my confidence is a little shaken with how well Brazil has played here in the last two matches. Is it more of a who Brazil maybe has played in the last two matches not exactly the best competition I'm with you I think I think Japan to advance at a plus price is certainly worth a look I think both teams to score is certainly worth a look and like you played it out pretty well Japan does not have a player the caliber of level of Vini Jr on the squad, but their midfield is very good. They are a structurally sound disciplined team that aren't going to open themselves up despite being very aggressive. Brazil's midfield I still think athletically is a problem. I mean I know the match again, whoever is all it was Haiti or whoever they closed it out with like throwing Fabinio on and this is not the 2018 World Cup. This is 2026. Like it's crazy. I mean, it's crazy. still playing. I'm with you. I think Japan can give them a lot of problems. All of the the underdog type options both keeps a score draw Japan to advance. I think all of those are on the table. We have Germany Paraguay as the middle match tomorrow and I guess the line kind of reflects what you and I probably think here that this is a bit of a flat track for Germany. I don't think Paraguay scores in this one. if I'm looking at player props in that attack. I think that this one once, by the why gets in a position where they have to chase the game and we saw with the US once that defensive integrity has to be compromised when they start chasing a game I think Germany can serve putting balls in the back of the net and this is a great opportunity for the super sub-undav to score. As soon as that dude checks in the game I'm always playing that action. It's been crazy that he has been the guy who has been the next man has gone to like we have not. I don't know Nick Volumata must not be in favor at all like he must not have any idea what to do with him I mean so for him not to have played so far a surprise but I agree I think this is a Germany to nil win I think looking in the player markets for maybe a Florian Verts assist or any time goal or assist I think something like that is probably in order as well be I did this feels like a two-nill type win for Germany and moving on to play France in the course with around 16 I should say. All right on Tuesday we got some really intriguing matchups and one that most people have circled as possible match of the round of 32. Ivory Coast versus Norway a lot of people are going to be betting both teams to score a lot of Holland to score bets. One of my favorite bets it hasn't castes yet. Holland to score with a header. This is what he does really well and Norway whips in crosses so I think you can do that you can do that now. Now I think you can do that now. Now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Now, now. Coast do have some center backs that are pretty good in the year too but no one can can match up with the Holland airily so I always think that that's an interesting bet to place with Erling Halon he tends to do it a lot so I'm gonna be prop hunting here a lot of people like to draw I think Ivory Coast is a better team though I do too I like Ivory Coast to advance as well maybe you win in 90 I mean they certainly have found some goals after halftime this tournament unfortunately couldn't hold on to that one no lead which could have flipped that bracket somewhat. But I think they're in a bit that that did not bother me like from my forecast point on our coast because I'd much rather be here playing Norway and then potentially Brazil or Japan that I would being and flipped on to the other side of the bracket and basically having your