Charles Barkley guarantees USA victory over the Netherlands in World Cup: 'We opening up a can of whoop-ass'

Scott Rafferty

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Charles Barkley guarantees USA victory over the Netherlands in World Cup: 'We opening up a can of whoop-ass' image

Charles Barkley feels good about the USA's odds against the Netherlands in the World Cup.

Like, really good.

"We going through the Netherlands," Barkley said confidently on TNT's Inside the NBA. "We opening up a can of whoop-ass. I guarantee the Netherlands is in trouble."

If that wasn't enough, the NBA legend then called out a number of countries.

"I want Spain, I want Brazil, I want Germany, I want France — oh, they got that boy [Kylian] Mbappé over there in France, he ain't no joke. But we going to beat the Netherlands."

MORE: USA player ratings vs Iran in World Cup Group B

Barkley's prediction came after the USA defeated Iran to finish second in Group B at the World Cup and advance to the round of 16, where the team will face the Netherlands, which finished at the top of Group A.

It marks the first match ever between the USA and Netherlands in the World Cup. The USA, which enters the matchup as significant underdogs, will be looking to advance past the tournament's round of 16 for only the second time ever.

MORE: Can the USA beat Netherlands at World Cup?

The bad news for the USA? Barkley's guarantees don't exactly have the best track record. Earlier on the same night, for example, Barkley guaranteed the Pistons would defeat the Knicks.

Detroit ended up losing ... by 30 points.

The USA and the Netherlands will face off on Saturday. Americans can only hope this is one of the rare times Barkley's guarantees turn out to be correct.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.