"VaBank": Will All Favorites Survive the World Cup's First Knockout Round?

The opening knockout stage match of the World Cup hinted at an incredibly dramatic conclusion. Canada secured a narrow 1-0 victory over South Africa only in added time, and the hosts' minimal success immediately raised the question: are more such battles ahead, and will we witness major upsets on the road to the final? This was the central theme of the latest edition of "VaBank", where attention focused on all 15 remaining Round of 16 clashes at the 2026 World Cup. The discussion pitted two completely different viewpoints against each other. According to Martin Tomanov, the favorites will live up to expectations and avoid any serious surprises in the first knockout phase. In his opinion, the class difference between the major powers and the other participants is already clearly defined, and the pressure of direct eliminations will force the leading teams to approach with maximum concentration.

Milen Peychev held the opposite view, believing that now is precisely the moment for several sensational outcomes. Particular attention in the conversation was given to the African representatives, who have made more than a good impression so far. Major upsets in the knockout rounds could very well come from them. The clashes between Ivory Coast and Norway, as well as Senegal against Belgium, are matches where the African teams have a very real chance of advancing. However, Martin Tomanov emphatically disagreed with this assertion. He argued that the class and experience of the European favorites would ultimately prevail in the most crucial moments.

Host Angelina Ilieva this time leaned closer to Martin's position. According to her, Canada's dramatic success against South Africa isn't necessarily a sign that a wave of upsets is imminent, but rather demonstrates how difficult it is to win matches at such a stage of the tournament. The pressure in knockout games is different, and favorites usually find a way to achieve the desired result, even when not playing their best football. Beyond predictions for potential surprises, the participants analyzed all 15 remaining matches of the first knockout phase, discussing where pitfalls might lie for the favorites and which teams appear best prepared for the direct elimination battle.