Three Goal-Hungry Teams to Watch as the World Cup Progresses

The World Cup had its first confirmed member of the last 16 as co-hosts Canada continued their fairytale win with a dramatic late win against fellow underdogs South Africa in the first Round of 32 clash in Los Angeles. Jesse Marsch's Maple Leafs had already turned heads simply by qualifying from Group B as runners-up to Switzerland, but their party is far from over. Stephen Eustáquio's stunning last-gasp 92nd-minute winner was enough to secure a 1-0 win and a last-16 berth for the first time ever, with either the Netherlands or Morocco lying in wait.

With the group stage now over, the real challenge is about to take centre stage in the form of knockout football. There will no longer be any second chances. Lose, and you're out; win, and you become a hero. And if online betting sites are to be believed, it's France who are the most likely to be the biggest heroes of them all.

The latest odds from Lucky Rebel Sportsbook currently position Les Bleus as the clear 13/4 frontrunner to win the tournament, with Argentina just behind at 5/1. But of all the teams that have progressed to the round of 32, which of them has scored the most goals? And crucially for goals bettors, will the goals continue to flow throughout the typically nervy knockout rounds? Let's take a look,

France

France headed into the World Cup with arguably the most fearsome strike force of anybody, and boy, how they have shone so far. Les Bleus netted ten goals throughout the group stage, a number that no team managed to top. But with the prolific Kylian Mbappe, reigning Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Bayern Munich's blistering winger Michael Olise, and Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue all starting, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised.

Mbappe got the ball rolling in the opener against Senegal, netting twice in a 3-1 win. He added two more in the 3-0 drubbing of Iraq on matchday two, before Dembele took centre stage. He netted a scintillating hat trick in the 4-1 win against Norway to secure France's top spot in Group I, prompting the bookies to install them as the favourites to win the tournament. Les Bleus have scored at least three goals in all of their games thus far, and that could well be set to continue in the knockout rounds.

Kylian Mbappé is inevitable. 🇫🇷👑

A dominant 3-0 victory for France over Iraq in Philadelphia, fueled by a masterclass brace from Mbappé to hit 16 career #WorldCup goals and tie for 2nd all-time. 📈

Updated World Cup futures & outrights: https://t.co/zKSbcWghgk pic.twitter.com/DXkb24n2kC

— Lucky Rebel (@LuckyRebel__) June 23, 2026

France meets Sweden in the Round of 32, and while Didier Deschamps' men are the tournament's top scorers, no team still in the World Cup has conceded more goals than Graham Potter's side. The Blågult shipped seven goals in the group stage, including five against the Netherlands, and with that menacing French attacking quartet hungry for more in the second round, more goals could be set to follow.

Netherlands

The Netherlands joins France on ten goals, with five of them coming in that aforementioned thumping win against the Swedes. But while the Oranje may well have been flying in the group stage, there can be no denying that their squad is no match for that of the French.

Donyell Malen was in the form of his life heading into the World Cup, but he has struggled to make an impact on the grandest stage. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey has since taken over, and he has netted three goals in two games, firing Ronald Koeman's men to top spot in Group F. He is flanked by Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, who has been somewhat wasteful with his chances, and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, who has shone after many expected him to be a rotation option.

While the Netherlands have scored plenty of goals, they have also conceded a few too. In fact, they conceded in all three of their group games, including two against Japan and a goal for lowly Tunisia. That could spell good news for goals bettors throughout the rest of the tournament.

They will meet Morocco in the round of 32 in a crunch clash that could genuinely go either way. The Atlas Lions have scored in each of their group stage games, including netting the opener in the 1-1 draw with Brazil. Should the Netherlands make it past them, Canada would await in the Round of 16 before a tantalising clash against the French in the quarterfinals. That prospective meeting promises goals.

Germany

Germany, like both the French and the Dutch, also netted ten goals in the group stage. Seven of them came against tiny debutants Curacao, who were no match for the precision and the efficiency of Julian Nagelsmann's side. Since then, however, the goals have dried up somewhat.

It took the Germans 68 minutes to find a goal against the Ivory Coast, with Deniz Undav ultimately coming off the bench to bag twice in a 2-1 comeback win. They would then net just once against Ecuador, losing 2-1 in a thrilling game which saw La Tricolor progress to the last 32. While the goals started drying up as the group stage progressed, each Germany game at the tournament so far has seen both teams score, something that is expected to continue.

Germany meet Paraguay in the round of 32 in a contest they are expected to win. They will then face off against France in the round of 16 in another game that promises plenty of goals.