Predicted Lineups: Thursday 25 June — Every Starting XI for Matchday 3

Czechia v Mexico

With Jurásek a reported doubt and Czechia needing a result to stay alive, the key question is whether the 3-4-2-1 that faced Mexico earlier holds its shape or whether head coach Ivan Hašek adds a more attacking option in midfield.

Czechia (3-4-2-1)

Mexico (4-3-3)

The biggest x-factor here is whether Mexico's in-form Julián Quiñones continues his electric wide-forward role or whether Jaime Lozano rotates Santiago Giménez into the starting XI for a deeper knockout push.

South Africa v South Korea

Should Mokoena be unavailable in central midfield, we expect Sphephelo Sithole to hold his position while one of the squad's reserve midfielders steps in alongside Thalente Mbatha.

South Africa (4-2-3-1)

South Korea (3-4-2-1)

Son Heung-Min's deployment, whether as a starter or impact substitute given South Korea's two-match losing run, is the selection doubt that shapes everything about their attacking threat.

Ecuador v Germany

Ecuador stick with the 3-1-4-2 that beat Curaçao, and Germany have no injury disruption to their settled 4-2-3-1, so we expect both sides to name near-identical XIs to their previous outings.

Ecuador (3-1-4-2)

Germany (4-2-3-1)

Germany's only live selection debate is whether Julian Nagelsmann rests any of his creative trio of Sané, Musiala, and Wirtz with the knockout stage already within reach, though we expect all three to start.

Curaçao v Ivory Coast

Curaçao may be without Kenji Gorre and Tommy St Jago, with both reported as fitness doubts, but the 5-4-1 structure that frustrated Ecuador stays in place, with the squad's depth covering those absences from the wings and midfield.

Curaçao (5-4-1)

Ivory Coast (4-1-4-1)

Ivory Coast's key selection doubt is whether their coaching staff rotates Simon Adingra into the XI after the defeat to Germany, giving the side more directness on the right flank.

Japan v Sweden

Japan may be forced into changes with Takefusa Kubo and Shuto Machino reported as fitness doubts, which forces at least one change to their attacking third, and we expect Daizen Maeda to come in on the left with Ayase Ueda keeping his central role.

Japan (3-4-2-1)

Sweden (3-1-4-2)

Sweden's key x-factor is whether the Gyökeres-Isak partnership finds the space to punish a Japan defence that conceded little against Tunisia, or whether the 3-4-2-1 shape compresses their runs effectively.

Tunisia v Netherlands

Tunisia must win after four consecutive losses and we expect head coach Jalel Kadri to persist with the 3-4-2-1 that at least provided some structure against Japan, while the Netherlands have every incentive to field their strongest available side.

Tunisia (3-4-2-1)

Netherlands (4-3-3)

The Netherlands' selection doubt centres on whether Ronald Koeman introduces Tijjani Reijnders with Teun Koopmeiners pushing higher, or keeps the settled three-man midfield that controlled possession against Sweden.

This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.