Matchday 9 at the 2026 World Cup brings a high-stakes set of predictions: the USMNT host Australia with multiple confidence points and a calf-injury race; Scotland face Morocco, Brazil take on Haiti, and Turkey travel to Paraguay in what could swing either way
By the time Matchday 9 arrives, the predictions game isn’t just a pastime anymore—it’s a race with real momentum behind it.
For one, the algorithm is up. Heading into the slate, the algo (17) leads the experts (15) by two correct predictions. Wilfred and the readers are close enough to smell the finish line: Wilfred sits on 14 correct picks. while readers are level on 14 as well. Even Stanley the dog—still operating with a lower accuracy than the rest—has managed to stay involved enough to keep this whole thing fun. and unpredictable.
And then there’s the human drama embedded in the schedule itself.
The opening match of Matchday 9 is United States vs Australia, Group D, kicking off 3pm ET and 8pm BST. Where to watch: FOX (U.S.) and BBC (UK). The streak risk factor is 4/5. and the reason is straightforward—Australia were one of the bigger surprises from the opening fixtures. The USMNT. who started their campaign with a perfect start. are expected to make it harder on Australia than many people initially assumed.
The Watch Rating for this one is 5/5, and the framing is clear: the USMNT’s performance so far has been one of the standouts, and if they can repeat those levels, it sets up for another entertaining game. Australia, meanwhile, are described as able to withstand pressure and land a counter-punch.
The Athletic Soccer Experts point directly to a big U.S. narrative: Mauricio Pochettino’s side couldn’t have started better. From the first minute. they overpowered a poor Paraguay side with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. who proved irresistible in attack. But there’s a detail that matters for the build-up—Pulisic was substituted at half-time because of a left calf injury. and he is in a race to be fit for this game.
Balogun is singled out as a potential key figure, too. The experts add that if the U.S. replicates its intensity and keeps attacking with dynamism, it can cause Australia “more problems than Turkey.” They also emphasize the U.S. having an in-form No 9 in Balogun.
The prediction doesn’t stop at football facts. One of the U.S. reporters, Henry Bushnell, is quoted describing the feeling around the team: confidence after the best performance in U.S. men’s World Cup history, but not complacency. His view is that the U.S. know Australia will present a tougher test and that the game will be tighter than last week’s—yet the U.S. will “gut out another win, 2-1.”.
Australia’s profile in this matchup comes through their numbers. Australia had 28.3 per cent possession in their victory over Turkey. showing grit and determination to scrap their way to a result. The experts say they were organised and compact, then picked their moments. Two counter-attacking goals decided the match, with the best one scored by Nestory Irankunda.
With both teams trying to secure passage into the knockout stages and put themselves in control of Group D, the picks reflect a split that still leaves the U.S. as the most common lean.
For United States vs Australia, the United States Wing (guest subscriber Jayden from Canada) picks UNITED STATES WINS, six-year-old Wilfred picks DRAW, Stanley the Dog picks AUSTRALIA WIN, and Algo picks UNITED STATES WIN.
Then comes Scotland vs Morocco, Group C, kick-off 6pm ET and 11pm BST, shown on FOX (U.S.) and ITV (UK). The streak risk factor is 3/5. Scotland picked up a first World Cup victory for 36 years, but this is a step up against Morocco. The Watch Rating is 3/5.
The expectation is that Morocco’s opener is the blueprint for what they can do—intensity plus attacking football. Scotland will need to stifle that and get their own match-winners involved.
The Athletic Soccer Experts say Morocco arguably deserved more than a point from their opening game because they were the better side for long periods. Ayyoub Bouaddi is named as the standout on the world stage, and Morocco’s potential to go deep is linked to how they did four years ago.
Scotland, the experts add, are still basking in the glory of a win that ended a 36-year World Cup wait. That victory came via John McGinn’s deflected effort against Haiti, finishing 1-0.
But the praise comes with a shadow attached: Scotland’s win is described as not particularly convincing. Haiti threatened throughout and had a great chance to equalise in the closing stages. Ben Gannon-Doak is highlighted as a bright spot. even as his display leaves questions about whether Scotland need to tweak the 4-4-2 system deployed by head coach Steve Clarke after it proved ineffective against one of the lower-ranked teams in the tournament.
The pick line-up for Scotland vs Morocco is another split: Morocco is backed by the experts and the guest and also by Wilfred. while Stanley points toward a draw. Specifically. the experts pick MOROCCO WIN. guest subscriber Jayden picks MOROCCO WIN. six-year-old Wilfred picks MOROCCO WIN. Stanley the Dog picks DRAW. and Algo picks MOROCCO WIN.
Next is Brazil vs Haiti, Group C, kick-off 8:30pm ET and 1:30am BST, on FOX (U.S.) and ITV (UK). Streak risk factor: 2/5. The watch rating is 3/5.
The prediction leans toward Brazil, but it’s not written as a blowout. Haiti’s threat is acknowledged, and it’s suggested that Brazil—despite not being at their best against Morocco—should have enough attacking quality to overpower opponents.
The experts anchor their case on one name: Vinicius Junior. When he’s on his game, he is described as worth the admission fee by himself.
Brazil’s opening match is part of the story too. The experts say Brazil recovered well from a sluggish start against Morocco to emerge with a hard-fought point. Vinicius Jr is credited with the moment of magic. and the experts also say he’ll need more help from team-mates as the tournament progresses. They name Igor Thiago, Raphinha and Casemiro—who was substituted at half-time—as players who struggled.
Still, there are signs of improvement. There were “green shoots” in the second half.
Haiti are brought in with their near-miss against Scotland: Frantzdy Pierrot headed wide after 84 minutes. leaving Haiti inches away from snatching a point. Even with Haiti ranked 83rd in the world. the experts say they are capable of competing at this level and surprise results by underdogs should add encouragement.
For Haiti, wastefulness in the final third is a warning that comes from their opener. They’re told they can counter-attack at speed, and they should use Morocco’s goal against Brazil as inspiration to pose problems.
Brazil’s reporter Jack Lang also adds a line that frames the mood inside Brazil: after the 1-1 draw with Morocco. there was a minor inquest in Brazil. with questions about the side’s direction of travel. The conclusion, in his view, is that they should still have enough to beat Haiti in Philadelphia.
The picks are clean and consistent here. The Athletic Soccer Experts pick BRAZIL WIN. Jayden picks BRAZIL WIN. Six-year-old Wilfred picks BRAZIL WIN. Stanley the Dog picks BRAZIL WIN. Algo picks BRAZIL WIN.
The final match listed for Matchday 9 is Paraguay vs Turkey, Group D, kick-off 11pm ET and 4am BST. Where to watch: FS1 (U.S.) and ITV (UK). Streak risk factor is 3/5, and the game is framed as a must-win for both sides.
The experts point to Turkey’s deeper squad, while also saying it’s unclear how each team will bounce back from their opening match. The fear on both sides is described as losing—something that could lead to cautious play and cancellation out.
The Watch Rating is 3/5. Both teams need victory, and the experts say risks have to be taken at some stage.
Turkey’s opener is where the concerns show up. The experts say Turkey did a lot of things right against Australia but the lack of a reliable goalscorer was evident. They’re also hoping they don’t find themselves on the wrong end of another excellent goalkeeping performance following Pat Beach’s display against them.
Squad news adds texture. The experts note that Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz was named on the bench before being introduced at half-time. With Yildiz described as a young, creative star alongside Arda Guler, it’s difficult to see how he can be left out of the starting XI again.
Paraguay’s situation is described with more urgency. The experts say Paraguay found out that starting a World Cup campaign against a host nation is never easy. They were blown away by the USMNT and looked shocked when Damian Bobadilla diverted the ball into his own net after seven minutes.
To fix it, the experts say Paraguay need to be better in every area. Their defensive fragility was exposed, and creative players like Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso and Diego Gomez need to offer more.
The picks for Paraguay vs Turkey show the closest call among the matchups listed. The Athletic Expert picks TURKEY WIN. Jayden picks TURKEY WIN. Six-year-old Wilfred picks DRAW. Stanley the Dog picks PARAGUAY WIN. Algo picks TURKEY WIN.
Matchday 8 still hangs in the background, too—because it’s where the stakes for this predictions format became undeniable.
That slate began with the Czech Republic vs South Africa. featuring Michal Sadilek’s early goal inside six minutes and ending with a late lapse in concentration as South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena pulled level from the penalty spot. The day’s other major moment was Switzerland’s turnaround from a cagey first phase into a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. where Johan Manzambi put Murat Yakin’s side 1-0 up in the 74th minute before Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot to seal the result.
Then came Canada’s night: Canada were given unanimous backing, yet Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts still delivered a dominant scoreline. Cyle Larin netted his second goal of the tournament against Qatar after being left out of the starting line-up against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jonathan David then scored his first. second and third late in second-half stoppage time as Canada crushed the 2022 hosts 6-0 in Vancouver. The upbeat tone carried a quiet note of concern—Canada midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a leg break in the second half. and they were wishing him well in his recovery.
The final game of the day on Matchday 8—Mexico vs South Korea—ended 1-0. with Mexico narrowly winning to book a knockout spot. The experts and Wilfred lost out to the algo. Greg and Stanley the dog on that one. giving Stanley another reason to feel like his paws are finally gaining traction after a ruff day.
Now Matchday 9 is set to do what Matchday 8 already proved it can: turn predictions into a storyline you follow not just for the result, but for the character of each matchup—and for who really knows their football when the whistle blows.
USMNT vs Australia Matchday 9 2026 FIFA World Cup predictions Morocco vs Scotland Brazil vs Haiti Paraguay vs Turkey Algo Wilfred Stanley
Algo is up?? so like they rigged it lol
Why is there a calf injury race like… do they mean the team’s legs are racing? I just want the US to win.
Stanley the dog is still involved?? if the dog beats the experts that means the experts are cooked. Also Australia at 3pm ET sounds early, I’ll watch anyway.
I don’t get the whole predictions game but “17 leads 15” like… 17 what? goals? points? And Scotland vs Morocco and Turkey vs Paraguay “could swing either way” yeah okay but Morocco always has that one random player who goes off. Also Haiti vs Brazil??? I feel like Brazil wins by default because it’s Brazil. Fox and BBC same thing right?