Round of 16 Upsets on the Cards — Mexico to Beat England?

Gary's back from the road, and the knockouts are heating up. Reunited with The Qooligan, the guys preview a round of 16 they think is ripe for upsets — starting with the big one: Mexico to beat England. Between the altitude, the Azteca, a home side that hasn't conceded all tournament, and an England team that looked like a deer in headlights against DR Congo, both hosts land on the same bold call — this could be where England's tournament ends.

First, the round of 32's refereeing storylines get a proper going-over from two officials' eyes: the "shocker" of a red card that could wreck Folarin Balogun's World Cup (and might just galvanize the USA), the chip-in-the-ball offside that ended Croatia's fightback and Luka Modrić's career in a "spirit of the game" debate, and the six-minute VAR call that decided Belgium–Senegal.

Then the previews. France look frightening — maybe one of the greatest international sides ever — as Paraguay's spoilers brace for the worst. Canada fancy a genuine upset of an underwhelming Morocco. Spain have become an immovable object behind a brilliant Pau Cubarsí. Brazil labor on in a strangely European guise against a young, vibrant Norway carried by Haaland. And Argentina cruise toward the final as Cape Verde's fairytale meets Messi — with a word on why Switzerland might be the one team nobody wants to face.

New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices