This is the first time Switzerland and Sweden meet at the World Cup. But, their paths have crossed in the same World Cup qualification groups four times before this. Sweden won the first four matches, while Switzerland secured wins in the last three.
Despite Switzerland finishing first in their group, they won just one game. Sweden, on the other hand, had an intriguing start to the competition, going unbeaten but failing to secure a single win. A perhaps more worrying statistic for them is the fact that they still haven't scored a goal.

Switzerland vs. Sweden

England and Spain met at the World Cup only once before. And since that match was in the group stage, it ended in a draw. They did play in the same qualification group twice thus far. Spain won twice, England won once, and one qualification match ended in a draw.
Spain had a better start to this World Cup, winning both matches. England actually secured their continued participation by winning their third round game against Brazil.

England vs. Spain

New Zealand and Belgium played once before at the World Cup. It was quite a while back. And since it was in the group stage, the game ended in a draw. They also played in the same qualification group once. Interestingly those two matches also ended in a draw.
While both teams won their groups, neither won both matches. In fact, Belgium secured their continued participation only in the last round (they won 2-0 against South Africa)

New Zealand vs. Belgium

South Korea and Algeria met at the 22^nd World Cup. That game was won by Algeria. The two also played in the same qualification group three times before. Though all three were quite a while back. South Korea won both matches the first time they played in the same qualification group, but after that, things got more competitive. One game ended in a draw, South Korea won once, and Algeria won twice.
South Korea did quite well in the group stage, winning against England and Brazil. Algeria didn't do as well, but their one win was enough for them to get to this stage.

South Korea vs. Algeria

Slovenia and Netherlands met at four previous World Cup competitions, before this one. Their last time was at the eighteenth World Cup, where they played two matches against each-other. Two of their World Cup matches ended in a draw. Netherlands won twice, and Slovenia won once. Interestingly, they played in the same qualification groups only twice before. Here too the games were close. Two ended in a draw, and they each won one match.
Surprisingly, neither did particularly well in the group stage. The Dutch did slightly better then Slovenians. They won one match and lost the other one. While Slovenia started in the toughest group, they had a pretty bad start. They drew their second match, and since they lost against Turkey by only a goal, they ended as second. Both teams will need to up their game if they wish to add to their trophy collection.

Slovenia vs. Netherlands

Peru and Thailand never met at the World Cup before. They did, however, play in the same qualification group three times thus far. Interestingly, Thailand won the first two qualification matches, but the other four were all fairly easy wins for Thailand.
The hosts, Peru, secured their continued participation with a win (2-1 against Switzerland) in the last group stage round. Thailand did the same - they won their third round match against USA.

Peru vs. Thailand

Turkey and Iceland never met at the World Cup before. They did play in the same qualification group for the 21^st World Cup. Unfortunately for Iceland, they were on the losing end in both matches.
Turkey started out in the toughest group at this World Cup, and emerged the winners in both matches. While Iceland also did well (they finished with 4 points) their group was much easier.

Turkey vs. Iceland

Venezuela and Lithuania never met at the World Cup before. They actually played only two matches against each-other thus far. They played in the same qualification group for the twelfth World Cup, and they each won one of those matches.
Both teams did well in the group stage. Both actually started with a draw, and won their second match (Venezuela won 1-0 against Austria, and Lithuania won 3-2 against Netherlands).

Venezuela vs. Lithuania

Bolivia and Romania met at two previous U21 World Cup's. They each won one of the matches. They also played in the same qualification group three times thus far. Bolivia won only one of those games, one ended in a draw, and the others were all won by Romania.
The two teams already faced off at this U21 World Cup, will clash once more. The Bolivian team was the better side in their group stage match. Can they emerge the victors again? Or will Romania take the upper hand this time?

Bolivia vs. Romania

Latvia and Moldova played exactly one match against each-other (total) before this game. The two played in the same group here. And in their group match, Moldova defeated the reigning U21 World Champions. But, can they do it again?

Latvia vs. Moldova

Surprisingly, Netherlands and Germany never met at the U21 World Cup before, and they played in the same qualification group for exactly one U21 World Cup thus far (the fifteenth). The Dutch won both of the qualification matches.
Germany had a superb start, winning both group games (including the one against Slovenia). The Dutch didn't have as good of a start to this U21 World Cup as the Germans, but they still won one of their group games, and lost the other.

Netherlands vs. Germany

Estonia and Turkey met at the U21 World Cup three times before this one. While Turkey won all three matches, only one ended in regular time. They also played in the same qualification group three times before. Turkey won three, and the other three ended in a draw.
They are the third pairing that started in the same group. Their (third round) game ended with a 1-1 draw.

Estonia vs. Turkey

Serbia and Slovenia already met four times at the U21 World Cup. However, all four were a ways back (the last one was at the sixteenth U21 World Cup). Slovenia won twice, Serbia won once, and they ended with a draw once. The two also played in the same qualification group five times thus far. These are more recent, with the last one being for the 27^th U21 World Cup. Serbia won half of the qualification matches, Slovenia won just two, and the other three ended in a draw.
Slovenia are the only team that emerged from the group with just a point, and they were lucky to continue since South Korea also had one point and the exactly the same goals for, and against. Serbia did a lot better, Winning their first game and drawing the second one.

Serbia vs. Slovenia

Brazil and Poland met three times at the U21 World Cup. While their first two are ways back, their last one was at the 25^th U21 World Cup. They each won one of the matches, but one (their first) ended with a penalty shootout that was won by Poland. They also played in the same qualification group twice before. The tally for that was one draw, two wins for Poland, and one for Brazil.
As we expect from these two nations, they both won their groups. However, while Brazil won both matches, Poland only won their first one, but the second one ended with a 3-3 draw.

Brazil vs. Poland

While Argentina and Belgium met in five qualification cycles (three games ended with a goalless draw, Belgium won four, and Argentina won two of the qualification matches), this U21 World Cup is actually the first time they met at the big stage.
They are the fourth pairing, in the first k-o round, that already played against each-other in the group stage. The Belgians easily won the group stage match. Can Argentina do better this round?

Turkey vs. BosniHerzegovina

England and Croatia played against each-other only once before - in the Last 16 round of the tenth U21 World Cup. That game was won by England.
England did slightly better in the group stage than Croatia. The Croatian's won their first match, but lost the second one - The English drew their first one and won the second one.

UnitedAmerica vs. Slovenia

Unsurprisingly, Russia and Austria never met at the U19 World Cup before. They did play in the same group for the fifth U19 World Cup (Austria won those games).
Austria did slightly better in the group stage than their opponents, drawing their first group stage match, and winning the second one.

Russia vs. Austria

Czech republic and Ireland never met at the U19 World Cup before. And they played in the same qualification group only once before, back for the eighth U19 World Cup (Czech republic won both of those matches).
Czech republic had an impressive start to this U19 World Cup. They defeated Portugal and Romania already. Unfortunately for Ireland, they are one of two teams to continue with only a point (the other is Portugal).

Czech republic vs. Ireland

Albania and Poland met in the Last-16 round of the 25^th U19 World Cup. Poland easily won that one. Even more worrying. The two also played in the same qualification group for the 26^th U19 World Cup. Both of those games also ended with easy victories for Poland.
Poland's start to this U19 World Cup was better than Albania's, as they won both matches compared to Albania's one.

Albania vs. Poland

Italy and England met twice before at the U19 World Cup, with Italy emerging the victors both times. They also played in the same qualification group twice before (Italy won three, and one ended in a draw), though those games are even further back than their U19 World Cup games.
Both teams had a good start to the U19 World Cup, winning both of their group games.

Italy vs. England

Unsurprisingly, Iceland and Lithuania never met at the U19 World Cup. They did play in the same qualification group, once before (for the fourteenth U19 WC). Iceland won one match, and the other ended in a draw.
At this U19 World Cup, both teams did quite well. Iceland won both matches, and Lithuania ended with one win and one draw.

Iceland vs. Lithuania

Bolivia and Brazil met twice before at the U19 World Cup. Interestingly, both matches were won by the much smaller Bolivia. They also played in the same qualification groups twice. There, Brazil emerged the winners three times, only losing once to Bolivia.
Bolivia and Brazil had an excellent start to the U19 World Cup. Both emerged from their groups with six points.

Bolivia vs. Brazil

Slovenia and Finland never met at the U19 World Cup before. In fact, they only played two official matches thus far, and it was way back in the qualification cycle for the fourth U19 World Cup (Slovenia won both matches).
Neither Finland, nor Slovenia did exceptionally well in the group stage. They each won one game, and lost one.

Slovenia vs. Finland

Portugal and Greece never met at the U19 World Cup before. They played in the same qualification groups three times, and Portugal emerged the winners of all six matches.
Portugal’s performance in the group stage of this U19 World Cup was a bit disappointing, moving forward with just a point. The Greeks did better, finishing with 3 points.

Portugal vs. Greece

Montenegro and Germany engage in a more balanced duel than expected. The team led by former Formula 1 driver Vettel has not reached the World Cup Round of 16 since the 18th edition of the competition in January 2020. However, they arrive with a squad on par with the Germans.

Montenegro's advantage appears to come from goalkeeper Budimir Djinovic and the striking duo of Borislav Jovetic and Nikola Sarcevic, the latter having scored nine goals in 17 matches for the national team (and coached by Vettel both at the national level and in club football). Germany, meanwhile, places its hopes on the young Drees Becker, the team's star during the group stage, albeit not fully developed yet.

Rep. of Montenegro vs. Germany

Czech Republic and England prove that football can be cruel. Rivals in the "Group of Death" during the qualifiers, both managed to advance from the group stage... only to now face each other in the Round of 16. Back in Group J, the Czech Republic had the upper hand on both occasions: winning 1-0 away and 2-0 at home, with all goals scored by Lukas Urban.

The big question is that England seems to have gotten a lot better since then. Changes made by veteran coach Dark Tiger appear to have made a difference. The center-back duo of Arthur Hanson and Slade Seymour (who is now more focused on the national team after a lengthy contractual dispute) is more synchronized, and Reginald Alfredson has been making a difference. Can the Czech Republic continue to have the upper hand over England? Or will the "third time be the charm"? Find out this Tuesday (21).

Czech republic vs. England

United States and Netherlands will bring a clash of two teams with 100% win rates, both finishing first in their respective qualifiying groups. On paper, the Netherlands seems to have a stronger team: after a rocky start, Michel Oldenhuis is in good form, and Onno Roemeling is one of the most talented players in the tournament.

But to borrow a term common in American sports, the U.S. has athletes who seem to be "clutch." Cale Stam, the "LeBron James of Soccer," has been pivotal in the team's victories. Korbin Orbison seems to be a goalkeeper who rises to the occasion, and Graham Rachal, who only recently earned a starting position, has already scored twice in the last few games. It's worth noting that the Netherlands' central defense is not as solid as other positions. Could Gleybe have another upset in him, this time against the hosts?

United States of America vs. Netherlands

Moldova and Brazil share similar stories in this World Cup cycle. Both saw their coaches having legal troubles (with the Brazilian coach being replaced by the controversial Léo Colorado during the qualifiers), were fortunate to fall into manageable groups in the World Cup's first phase, and qualified in second place. One of them will make it to the quarterfinals. And if Brazil advances... It will be tough to stop them in the latter knockout stages.

This is because players like Sabino Nery, Venâncio Ligeirinho, and Edcarlos Cariri, although inconsistent on the field, are theoretically among the world's best in their respective positions. To give you an idea, Cariri and Ligeirinho alone generated transfers totaling 245 million DO-llars this Season 48. Meanwhile, Moldova bets on team chemistry: nearly half of the starting lineup plays for the same club (you can probably guess which one). Watch the match live with Grupo Trem.

Moldova vs. Brazil

Bolivia and Poland offer déjà vu. Meeting in the group stage, they played a thrilling first match, broadcast by TV-Dugout, with a remarkable Bolivian victory. Six days later, they meet again in the knockout stage. It's bad luck for the audience, who will lose a great team in the Round of 16—and good luck for future opponents.

Pascualito, who assisted twice in their group-stage encounter, is back after an injury against France and confirmed for the game. As is Anacleto Madrigal, a wall and the man of the match last time. But will players like Krzysztof Dolecki and the attacking trio Kwiatek, Lacinski, and Banaszak (with eight goals this cycle) fail to deliver again against the same opponent? Watch it live on TV-Dugout 3.

Bolivia vs. Poland

Turkey and Romania bring a clash of giants, with five U-17 titles on display—all belonging to Turkey. Yes, although Romania is a historical powerhouse in Dugout, they have yet to win a U-17 World Cup title, having come close three times, the most recent in the tournament's 20th edition.

Both teams enter the Round of 16 under slightly different circumstances. Romania dominated both qualifiers and the group stage, slipping only once (against Malta), with a solid, promising team lacking superstars. Notable players include Ciprian Hreban (94% save rate at U-17 level), the "tank" Marian Chibzuiala, and the prolific Mihai Fregulea. But Turkey boasts a storied legacy and a slight midfield advantage: if Vahdet Yozgatli is inspired, Romania's impressive campaign could end abruptly. Will you doubt Turkey in a World Cup knockout match? Catch it live on TV-Dugout 2.

Turkey vs. Romania

Portugal and Serbia promise a classic clash: a brilliant attack versus a formidable defense.

Serbia, boasting the best attack in the group stage and 15 goals in the qualifiers, has a lethal offense. Pick your poison: Zlatoje Desnica is the team's top scorer this season with eight goals, but focusing on him leaves you vulnerable to Hajdinaga or Kasic. The problem lies in their defense, which has not been as solid, with Tugomir Jankovic still underperforming.

This could be Portugal's strong defense and clinical offense chance to shine. Alexandre Lage has seven goals for the national team this season but has yet to deliver against stronger opponents. Vicente Salgueiro has been more inspired in big games. Nelson Mateus, newly transferred, will also have many opportunities to score. Could this classic encounter produce a high-scoring affair? Watch it on TV-Dugout.

Portugal vs. Serbia

Slovenia and Norway face off in a dangerous clash neither team wanted this early.

Slovenia, in my opinion, is the tournament's top favorite. Milinho9, in the last round, even rested Niko Varl, starting him on the bench, which led to a draw against New Zealand. The issue is that Varl is expected to return to the starting lineup just as they face a team that concedes many goals—six in the group stage alone. Although Jesper Devik and Bernhard Eidet form a strong defensive duo, coach superesp1 has yet to find a reliable goalkeeper, with none of the options proving effective.

This means stopping Varl will likely fall to the central midfield trio of Rindal, Hansen, and Westad. Even if they succeed, they'll still have to contend with Amadej Daum and goalkeeper Zal Juvanec. No pressure.

Slovenia vs. Norway