Predicted Lineups: Saturday 27 June

Uruguay v Spain (Estadio Akron)

Uruguay's previous XI held its shape despite the absences of De Arrascaeta and Araújo, and with neither player featuring in that team sheet there is no forced change here — the real question is whether Bielsa-era discipline from Manuel Ugarte can slow a Spain side brimming with creative options.

Uruguay (4-1-4-1)

Spain (4-2-3-1)

We held Juan Sanabria in Uruguay's defensive line from the previous XI but shifted Giménez in as the second centre-back given his superior pedigree, with Sanabria dropping out — the biggest doubt on the other side is whether Luis de la Fuente gives Nico Williams a start over Baena to add more direct pace.

Cape Verde Islands v Saudi Arabia (NRG Stadium)

Cape Verde's reported absentee S. Lopes Cabral was not in the previous XI, so the starting shape is unchanged, while Saudi Arabia have no reported injuries to work around and we expect Roberto Mancini to stick with his 4-4-2.

Cape Verde Islands (4-1-4-1)

Saudi Arabia (4-4-2)

The biggest selection doubt surrounds Cape Verde's wide options: Jovane Cabral has the quality to push Willy Semedo for a starting berth if coach Pedro Brito wants to stretch Saudi Arabia's defensive line with more direct running.

Egypt v Iran (Lumen Field)

Egypt's reported absentee Hossam Abdelmaguid did not feature in the previous XI, so Rui Vitória has no enforced changes expected, and we expect Mohamed Salah to again operate as the advanced midfielder in a system built to get him on the ball in dangerous positions.

Egypt (4-2-3-1)

Iran (5-4-1)

Iran's 5-4-1 is built to frustrate and Taremi's ability to hold the ball alone up front is the tactical x-factor — if he can bring Ghoddos and Mohebi into play, Egypt's defensive shape will be tested.

New Zealand v Belgium (BC Place)

Belgium may be without Jérémy Doku, who faces a fitness doubt ahead of the fixture — if unavailable, we expect Alexis Saelemaekers to take that right-sided attacking role, with the rest of Domenico Tedesco's settled XI unchanged; New Zealand have no injury concerns and we keep their previous XI intact.

New Zealand (4-2-3-1)

Belgium (4-2-3-1)

With Doku potentially out, the question becomes whether Romelu Lukaku earns a start up front in place of De Ketelaere — Tedesco has options, but De Ketelaere's versatility as a false nine keeps him our pick.

Croatia v Ghana (Lincoln Financial Field)

Croatia have no fresh injuries and Zlatko Dalić has little reason to deviate from the XI that beat Panama, while Ghana showed enough defensive solidity against England to suggest Thomas Partey will again anchor a compact 4-1-4-1.

Croatia (4-2-3-1)

Ghana (4-1-4-1)

Croatia's previous XI listed J. Stanisic — we keep him at right back as that is the most accurate reflection of the previous team sheet, while Ghana's biggest doubt centres on whether Antoine Semenyo's club form earns him a start ahead of a more defensively disciplined option.

Panama v England (MetLife Stadium)

Panama's 5-4-1 against Croatia gave them defensive shape and they have no injury absences to force changes, so Thomas Christiansen is expected to go with the same personnel; England likewise keep their settled 4-2-3-1 with Thomas Tuchel trusting his first-choice XI.

Panama (5-4-1)

England (4-2-3-1)

England's only real selection doubt is whether Bukayo Saka earns a recall on the right ahead of Madueke — Saka's combination play with Kane makes him the more dangerous option, but Madueke's direct running kept the previous XI fluid.

Colombia v Portugal (Hard Rock Stadium)

Colombia's four-match winning run gives Néstor Lorenzo no reason to tinker with a 4-3-3 that has been one of the tournament's most fluid attacking shapes, while Portugal's Roberto Martínez is equally unlikely to change a winning formula — we hold Renato Veiga at centre-back from the previous XI.

Colombia (4-3-3)

Portugal (4-2-3-1)

Portugal's biggest selection doubt is whether Bernardo Silva forces his way back into the XI — his craft would strengthen the midfield, but Vitinha's energy in the double pivot has been a key feature of this Portugal run.

Congo DR v Uzbekistan (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

Congo DR have no injury concerns and the 5-3-2 that caused Colombia problems in their last outing is expected to stay, while Uzbekistan, needing a result to stay alive in the tournament, could push to a more attacking shape but are likely to retain their 3-4-2-1 given their personnel.

Congo DR (5-3-2)

Uzbekistan (3-4-2-1)

Uzbekistan's captain Eldor Shomurodov carries the heaviest goalscoring burden and his ability to hold the ball and bring Fayzullaev and Ganiyev into the game is the primary tactical x-factor in a match Congo DR will be expected to win.

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