World Cup 2026 Simulator & Predictor Predict Every Match

After watching his team fall agonisingly short on penalties against Argentina in Qatar, he has another chance to become only the second coach to win multiple World Cups (after Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938). The 2026 World Cup will mark the end of an era in French football, with Didier Deschamps set to stand down from his role as Les Bleus’ head coach after 14 years at the helm. He will hope to go out with a bang and cement his legacy as France’s greatest boss. Yamal created the most chances at the tournament, with 19, while only teammate Nico Williams (2.1) had more expected assists (xA) than his 2.0. It is little surprise, then, that Spain are our predictive model’s early World Cup favourites, going all the way in 17.0% of tournament predictions. At Euro 2024, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain produced one of the most eye-catching international tournament successes in recent memory.

Here you’ll find match predictions, upcoming fixtures, recent results, group standings, knockout stage progress, and key statistics to help follow the World Cup tournament. With 16 extra teams compared to previous editions, the group stage alone will feature 72 matches — more than the entire 2022 World Cup. The knockout stage starts with a round of 32, meaning every prediction counts from day one. Whether you’re following the USMNT at home, cheering for Canada’s golden generation or tracking dark horses from Africa and Asia, there’s never been more football to predict. Their continued success on the international stage has carried momentum into this tournament, supported by a young and exciting group of players. Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal should not be discounted, while the three host nations will be desperate to make their mark. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday 5 December, the Opta supercomputer has produced its early predictions for this summer’s tournament in North America. There’s rarely much to choose between France and Germany in their heavyweight encounters but the enviable array of talent Didier Deschamps has at his disposal looks too much this time around.

• Cristiano Ronaldo enters what will surely be his final World Cup free to play after his ban for a red card against the Republic of Ireland was quashed.
• However, Portugal’s best hopes of winning might actually rest on not making Ronaldo the focal point, and instead focusing on their strength in depth.
• However, it probably won’t be enough to prevent the Selecao from edging through to the next round.
• But there is a competitive race for the positions behind the England skipper after Tuchel suggested Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could not both start, while Cole Palmer’s season has barely got going due to injuries.
• This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
• Along with the Gold Cup run, a 5-1 win over Uruguay last time out put Pochettino’s critics on notice, and the USA should feel good about their chances of being competitive in the knockout stages.
• Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title.
• Champions League finalist Marquinhos and Gabriel combine for a dream center-back pairing, while Raphinha and Vinicius Jr up top gives them an attacking edge.

He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside. The opening game in Group G pits arguably the two finest Premier League players of the modern era against one another, with Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium taking on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. This is almost certainly the last hurrah for both men on the biggest international stage.

Pochettino has had no choice but to experiment – in November, Giovani Reyna’s return to the squad saw him become the 51st player to start a game for the USMNT in 2025. One recurring issue in recent years has been their lack of a true centre-forward. But Memphis Depay remains a talisman for his nation, becoming their all-time leading scorer when he netted his 51st international goal in September. The Oranje’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 – losing late on to England – was their best at any tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup. Ancelotti was only in charge for the final five games of their campaign, but less than eight months into his reign, he has already overseen surprise defeats to Bolivia and Japan, as well as poor draws with Ecuador and Tunisia. And after Messi finally ended his wait for a World Cup win in Qatar, Portugal are assigned a 6.6% chance of giving Ronaldo his own crowning moment.

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The first three are the official FIFA criteria for comparing third-place teams. The fourth, FIFA ranking, serves as the simulator’s deterministic tiebreaker in place of the fair-play and drawing-of-lots rules used at the real tournament, which cannot be modeled in a prediction tool. The auto-simulate feature uses FIFA rankings as of April 2026 and a weighted probability model. Higher-ranked teams are favored, but upsets happen, just like in real World Cup predictions. The conversation also referenced a fictional scene showing a Mexico vs Portugal football match, which some interpreted as a possible indication of a future World Cup final.

Quarter Finals

So who will win the World Cup 2026, and which longshot could stun the soccer world? Check out the soccer odds below and then visit SportsLine to see Martin Green’s best bets for the 2026 World Cup, all from the proven expert who has crushed his soccer picks, and find out. Now, Green has broken down the 2026 World Cup draw from all sides and released his picks, predictions and futures bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s 2026 World Cup picks. Jordan have earned respect by becoming one of Asia’s most improved teams, and they will not go to North America just to make up the numbers.

Can Spain return to the summit?

South Africa are not without talent, and they arrive with the kind of national excitement that can lift a squad. Even so, the group is packed with teams that know how to handle major tournaments, and the opening match against co-host Mexico will be a fierce way to begin. Their squad is built heavily from Dutch-raised players, and the team qualified by staying unbeaten in the final phase of qualifying. Still, when the group contains Germany plus two more physically strong and technically sharp sides, survival becomes a serious challenge.

Bosnia’s effort and organization should not be overlooked, but overcoming a Portuguese side featuring players like Rafael Leao, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes would require something exceptional. Group D centers on the battle between Turkiye and the United States. The recent form and questions on formation under Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. raises concern, while Turkiye’s balance and presence of Hakan Calhanoglu give them the slight edge to win the group. Australia and Paraguay are organized enough to earn draws but remain long shots to advance ahead of the two favorites. Bosnia enter confidently after knocking out Italy and looks talented enough to win this group as long as Edin Dzeko can stay on the pitch at 40 years old. The Bosnian legend didn’t miss a minute in the playoffs against Wales and Italy despite injuring his shoulder.

When the tournament begins, it will have been 20 years since the Azzurri played a knockout match at the World Cup – with their most recent such game being the 2006 final. Mere weeks into Jesse Marsch’s reign, Canada reached the semi-finals on their Copa América debut, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Argentina. Only a penalty shootout denied them a bronze medal, as they lost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the third-place play-off. Their route to this World Cup was not completely smooth, either, as they were left needing victory over Slovakia in their final Group A game to avoid the play-offs. But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals.

• Cape Verde are well organized and far more disciplined than many first-time qualifiers, but Spain and Uruguay are the sort of opponents who rarely allow a debutant much breathing room.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the men’s football world championship, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19, 2026.
• France became the sixth team to win the World Cup as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then.
• Six of the teams appearing at the tournament are still to be decided, with four qualifying via the UEFA play-offs and another two via the inter-confederation playoffs.
• England’s game control and defense will be hard to beat, but scoring on bigger stages has always been iffy.
• Follow the 2026 tournament with AI football predictions, fixture context, correct score probabilities, BTTS, over/under goals, and market signals as the World Cup approaches.
• Germany arguably played some of the best football at Euro 2024, ranking second for average possession (62.5%) and goals scored (11), but Nagelsmann has plenty of selection dilemmas to consider.
• It will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of 4.
• My eight teams most likely to be eliminated in the group stage are Haiti, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama, Cape Verde, Qatar, and South Africa.

Germany are the supercomputer’s fifth favourites with a 7.1% chance of winning a record-equalling fifth World Cup. Messi has shown no signs of slowing down, helping Inter Miami reach the Major League Soccer Cup final while contributing a staggering 35 goals and providing 21 assists in MLS action this year. Messi also led all players in Qatar for shots (32), chances created from open play (17) and fouls won (22), becoming the second player to top all three metrics at a single World Cup. Maradona in 1986 (30 shots, 19 open-play chances created, 53 fouls won).

The Netherlands enter as a world‑class side looking to make a statement. The production of Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen should be enough to see them top the group. Japan and Sweden are well organized but lack the elite experience needed to challenge the Dutch. I like Japan’s technical depth to edge Sweden for second, but they can still qualify to the next round as a top third-place team, with Tunisia finishing at the bottom.

World Cup 2026 Prediction Pool

The simulator is built around two stages that mirror the real tournament. The group stage presents all 12 groups and their 72 matches with live standings, where each group plays a single round-robin and the top two teams advance directly to the Round of 32. Once every group result is set, the knockout bracket unlocks and runs as single-elimination through the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals before the final. The 2026 World Cup predictor follows the official FIFA tournament format. The 12 group winners and 12 runners-up qualify automatically for the Round of 32, joined by the 8 best third-placed teams.

• The match exists only within a satirical advertisement in Springfield and is not connected to structured sporting forecasts.
• Higher-ranked teams are favored, but upsets happen, just like in real World Cup predictions.
• That makes them a team everyone will want to cheer for, but the draw has not been kind.
• Choose group outcomes, pick the knockout winners and discover who triumphs.
• The other opener between Ecuador and Ivory Coast feels like a game where a win will be richly rewarded.
• Two of the biggest superstar forwards in the game clash when Kylian Mbappe’s France take on Erling Haaland’s Norway in Group I. Norway beat Italy twice to get here and have a fine generation of talent.
• Sweden (in 1958) and Czechia (in 1934 and 1962) have both been World Cup finalists previously (the latter as Czechoslovakia) but could still miss the tournament, as could former European champions Denmark.
• Le Selecao don’t have a Ronaldo or Ronaldinho in their lineup anymore, but they do have a very solid squad.
• Should the United States advance to the Round of 16, it’s going to take some of their best performances of the past decade, maybe ever.
• The fourth, FIFA ranking, serves as the simulator’s deterministic tiebreaker in place of the fair-play and drawing-of-lots rules used at the real tournament, which cannot be modeled in a prediction tool.
• The top spot could come down to goal difference, with both teams likely taking advantage of Cape Verde.

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The automatic mode uses the official FIFA rankings published on April 1, 2026, converted into a team strength value. The probability that a team wins a given match scales with the gap in strength between the two sides. Group matches also allow for draws, with the likelihood of a draw decreasing as the gap in strength widens. A third option fills only the matches that remain undecided, which preserves any picks already made. Each group match also displays a small probability indicator based on team strength, so the favorite in any fixture is visible before a pick is made. Pick winners group by group, or auto-simulate the full tournament using FIFA rankings.

England’s game control and defense will be hard to beat, but scoring on bigger stages has always been iffy. Then again, Harry Kane scored freely across Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at times playing in a deeper role than usual. I’m taking a risk on Jordan to claim a knockout place and Algeria edging out Austria in an upset as one of the top third-place teams to advance to the Round of 32. The main challenge in Group J is identifying who finishes behind Argentina, as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign makes them clear favorites. Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run. While Algeria and Austria bring veteran leadership, Al‑Tamari’s pace and creativity could tilt the balance.

Start your free World Cup 2026 prediction pool!

• Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run.
• Before making any 2026 World Cup picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
• Apply the same AI prediction model to the tournament hub for World Cup fixtures, correct scores, BTTS, and totals.
• For full predictions on points, goals and assists, check out our 2026 World Cup Team Projections.
• While their physicality and attacking threat stand out, their defense is arguably their greatest strength, led by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka.
• The World Cup predictions page offers structured coverage of the tournament across all stages.
• Mexico failed to reach the knockout stage at the 2022 World Cup, having previously seen a Round of 16 exit every tournament from 1994 to 2018.
• So, let’s say no team that finishes third in their group is going to dust themselves down and win the whole thing.
• The Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), and they are the eighth and final team assigned more than a 5% chance of triumphing next year, at 5.2%.
• The simulator is built around two stages that mirror the real tournament.
• They still should have enough to advance as one of the best third‑place teams ahead of Haiti.
• Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind.

But the prospect of two icons duelling to end the tournament in the lead should be absorbing viewing. Deschamps’ reign has comprised 175 games, so if they reach the first knockout round, he will have overseen 100 games more than France’s next-longest serving boss (Raymond Domenech, 79). If Spain are to triumph, it is likely Lamine Yamal will play a key role. Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final.

Build your bracket, play the prediction league, and follow every match — all in one place. As reported by HITC, the episode contains no reference to the FIFA World Cup, 2026, or any official international competition. The match exists only within a satirical advertisement in Springfield and is not connected to structured sporting forecasts. As fixtures move closer, the hub can expand with live match links, confidence-rated picks, correct score probabilities, and post-match validation so the content becomes stronger instead of being replaced.

Everyone earns points based on how accurate their predictions are, and the player with the most points wins. Adjust scores, apply official tiebreaker rules, and see which teams qualify for the knockout phase in real time. The expanded 2026 format means more teams advance from the group stage into the knockout bracket, making every goal crucial. The model is intentionally calibrated to favor stronger teams without making outcomes certain. Top-ranked nations such as France, Spain, and Argentina win the simulated tournament most often, but lower-ranked teams still break through often enough to produce a different story on each run.

Teams mentioned in this article :

• Here, Sports Mole provides an in-depth preview of Group D at the 2026 World Cup, including predicted standings and each nation’s key player.
• Lower-ranked teams still advance regularly, so no outcome is guaranteed.
• Co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico will all fancy their chances of progressing into the knockout rounds and giving fans memories to cherish.
• South Africa, however, will be motivated to challenge and avoid an early setback.
• According to the official Olympics explainer, the tournament will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
• The only one other team assigned more than a one-in-10 chance of becoming world champions is England, who are out to end 60 years of hurt at major tournaments.
• Group D centers on the battle between Turkiye and the United States.
• Panama will compete hard, and they have enough quality to make games uncomfortable, but the odds still lean against them.
• The reigning champs don’t look as strong as they once were, but with Messi and Lautaro Martinez in attack and plenty of experience on the pitch, they can’t be counted out.
• The general consensus is the Netherlands will come out on top in Group F, which, in theory, means there will be a three-way fight for the second automatic qualification spot.
• Download our official World Cup 2026 wall chart with all 104 matches, kickoff times, host city locations, and the complete tournament schedule on a single printable poster.

Senegal remain a dangerous dark horse, while Norway and Erling Haaland could disrupt the group. I’m taking Senegal to secure the needed points, though Norway could still advance as a top third‑place team if they score multiple goals against Iraq. Belgium should control this group, but the remaining positions are harder to predict.

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Pochettino’s side did reach the final of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, despite star names including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson missing the tournament. The USMNT appointed Pochettino after of a humiliating group-stage exit as Copa América hosts last year, and things did not immediately improve as the Argentine lost five of his first 10 matches at the helm. Vinícius has played under five different head coaches since joining Real Madrid, and 149 of his 192 goal involvements for the club came during Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of Los Blancos. Brazil are the only side to qualify for every edition of the World Cup, though the Seleção cut things a little too fine this time around, finishing fifth in CONMEBOL’s qualifiers. But when the tournament begins, the likelihood is that Ronaldo will hog the headlines, just as he did in Qatar in 2022 and at Euro 2024.

• Build and predict the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket with our free interactive bracket generator.
• It all started 12 years ago when I used an economic model to forecast the winner of the World Cup in Brazil.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams — the largest in tournament history.
• Argentina vs Portugal – If there’s a nation equipped and motivated enough to end another title-winning campaign for Lionel Messi, it’s Roberto Martinez’s side.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance to lead Portugal to World Cup glory should begin with a relatively straightforward group-stage campaign, even though Colombia possess the quality to make life uncomfortable for the Iberians.
• The FIFA World Cup gets underway on June 11, with 48 nations battling it out for the most coveted trophy in global soccer.
• The tool is a prediction model, not a forecast of guaranteed results.
• Who they are and where in the draw they might land is basically impossible to forecast with any certainty.
• Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, but suffered heartbreak and pain in 2022 as Argentina beat them on penalties.

Factly notes the clip continues circulating due to the absence of a time reference in the original scene, allowing it to be reused across multiple World Cup cycles, including 2018, 2022, and 2026. At 41 years old, this will almost certainly be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup. CR7 has been the focal point of Portugal for more than 20 years, and with a ton of top-tier talent around him such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Joao Felix, there’s a lot to like about the Portuguese. However, Portugal’s best hopes of winning might actually rest on not making Ronaldo the focal point, and instead focusing on their strength in depth. Apply the same AI prediction model to the tournament hub for World Cup fixtures, correct scores, BTTS, and totals. With 48 teams taking part, there also will be some new names gracing the tournament.

However, it probably won’t be enough to prevent the Selecao from edging through to the next round. Ivory Coast vs Senegal – Senegal’s impressive results in recent tournaments point towards an emphatic victory in this all-African knockout tie. South Korea vs Bosnia & Herzegovina – Despite overcoming Italy in the qualifying play-offs, this tie could spell the end of Bosnia’s World Cup journey. While they may fall short of their top-spot aspirations, Los Cafeteros should have enough experience and firepower to leave DR Congo and Uzbekistan behind. The last time France were in the same group with Senegal, it didn’t end well. They crashed out at the group stage at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

• However, no official production notes or creator statements support these interpretations.
• But with so many contenders in the running, who will ultimately lift the trophy?
• But most of the favourites are set, with Lionel Messi hoping to help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown.
• The placement of each team will affect whom they face in the knockout round.
• Ivory Coast vs Senegal – Senegal’s impressive results in recent tournaments point towards an emphatic victory in this all-African knockout tie.
• In this 2026 World Cup bracket prediction, we break down every stage of the competition, from the group winners and best third-place qualifiers to the full knockout path through the Round of 32, Round of 16, semi-finals and final.
• Test “what if” scenarios for any team to see exactly what they need to advance to the Round of 32.

World Cup winner longshot pick: Sweden (+

Kindly be advised that all odds are accurate as of the publication date and time indicated, and they may be subject to alterations. Recent World Cup results provide insight into current form and momentum across the league. This template is designed specifically for tracking goal scorers and top scorers throughout the tournament. Choose the spreadsheet that best fits your needs—or download all of them—to enhance your World Cup viewing experience. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of 4.

Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest. This group appears straightforward, with Brazil and Morocco standing out as the strongest sides. Brazil has elite talent, though their depth remains a concern following long-term injuries to Estevao and Rodrygo months before the tournament starts. I’m giving Morocco the edge to win the group due to their cohesion and leadership from Achraf Hakimi, as well as difference‑makers like Ez Abde. Scotland could pose a threat with players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, but they’re still at a disadvantage against better teams.

If previous World Cups are anything to go by, shocks and surprises should be a given, so all those teams will still be dreaming of a deep run. They must get past Northern Ireland and potentially Wales to make it, with both of those sides hoping to join fellow home nations England and Scotland. Inspirational Croatia captain Luka Modrić is hoping to appear at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, and no team will want to see Croatia drawn into their group from Pot 2. It remains to be seen how the introduction of a round of 32 will affect El Tri, who lost in the round of 16 at seven consecutive World Cups before suffering a group-stage exit in Qatar. Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup.

Mexico will need an all‑around effort to advance under the new knockout format, relying on far more than home support to reach the next round. The 2026 format adds a layer that did not exist in the 32-team era. After the top two from each group qualify, the third-place finishers from all 12 groups are compared against one another, and the eight best advance to complete the 32-team knockout bracket. The expanded structure introduced a new Round of 32 knockout stage, and the simulator reflects that format exactly, including the rule that sends the eight best third-place teams into the knockout bracket.

Japan will make an eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance after collecting 23 points from 10 matches in the third phase of qualifying to finish above Australia and Saudi Arabia. The opening matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 promise an exciting and competitive start, as teams aim to build early momentum in the group stage. It’s the perfect opportunity to create your free World Cup 2026 prediction pool with Prodefy and compete with friends during the longest and most exciting tournament ever.

He’s also identified a longshot team priced at over +1000 that could pull off a massive shocker and hoist the trophy. Cape Verde are well organized and far more disciplined than many first-time qualifiers, but Spain and Uruguay are the sort of opponents who rarely allow a debutant much breathing room. Saudi Arabia are the most winnable of the three matchups, but even that game could decide whether Cape Verde stay alive or go home early. If I had to pick one of the debuting African teams most likely to be eliminated, Cape Verde would still be close to the top of the list simply because of the size of the challenge in front of them. That combination makes Panama a strong candidate for group-stage elimination.

If the Netherlands fail to top their group, Brazil will face the sort of daunting European showdown that has been their Achilles heel in recent tournaments. Croatia, Belgium and the Dutch themselves have all got rid of the Selecao before the business end of the competition recently and history could repeat. Each of Spain and Argentina could find themselves pushed to the limit by Austria and Uruguay.

Which World Cup teams are most vulnerable to an early exit? The danger facing U.S. and Mexico

After a 16-year absence from the World Cup, Paraguay return to the global stage following a solid qualifying campaign, sealing automatic qualification for this year’s tournament by finishing inside the top six of the CONMEBOL standings. Like Messi, Ronaldo will appear at a record-breaking sixth edition of the World Cup, but of his eight goals in 22 games at the tournament, three have been penalties and none have come in the knockout stages. England ultimately finished Group K with eight wins – and eight clean sheets – from as many matches, becoming only the second team to win all their games in a UEFA World Cup qualifying campaign without conceding after Yugoslavia in 1954.

• But the likes of Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez have kicked on in the last two years, and any team which has Messi has a chance of going all the way – a creditable 8.7% chance, according to the supercomputer.
• Japan will make an eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance after collecting 23 points from 10 matches in the third phase of qualifying to finish above Australia and Saudi Arabia.
• Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind.
• Brazil haven’t won the World Cup since 2002 and will hope to end that drought, while host nations USA, Mexico and Canada will all look to leave their mark.
• Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run.
• Argentina’s quest to become just the third nation in World Cup history to successfully defend their title should face no real threat in Group J.
• Statistical summaries highlight performance trends across World Cup, including attacking and defensive records.
• They still should have enough to advance as one of the best third‑place teams ahead of Haiti.
• Argentina vs. England feels like one that will need longer than 90 minutes to settle.
• But when the tournament begins, the likelihood is that Ronaldo will hog the headlines, just as he did in Qatar in 2022 and at Euro 2024.
• The expanded format introduces 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage, making it the biggest World Cup in history with 104 total matches played across 16 iconic venues.
• Apply the same AI prediction model to the tournament hub for World Cup fixtures, correct scores, BTTS, and totals.
• The simulator is built around two stages that mirror the real tournament.

For the first time in World Cup history, the winners and runners-up of each group will be joined in the knockout round of 32 by the eight best third-placed teams. The placement of each team will affect whom they face in the knockout round. The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams — the largest in tournament history. Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket. Here, Sports Mole provides an in-depth preview of Group D at the 2026 World Cup, including predicted standings and each nation’s key player. With an aging squad and lack of starpower, this is the highest Germany’s odds have been to win a World Cup in years.

Paraguay star player: Miguel Almiron

Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, et al can help Norway take down a Dutch side weary from their famous win over Brazil. That side of the draw could open up for England if they end Mexico’s interest in their home tournament. Their recent form also suggests it will be difficult to make their first knockout round appearance, having won just one of their last six matches (D3, L2). Sweden are set to make just their second World Cup appearance since 2006, despite finishing bottom of their qualifying group with two points to their name.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance to lead Portugal to World Cup glory should begin with a relatively straightforward group-stage campaign, even though Colombia possess the quality to make life uncomfortable for the Iberians. Argentina’s quest to become just the third nation in World Cup history to successfully defend their title should face no real threat in Group J. However, there’s a good reason why Switzerland are odds-on to walk away with a top-table finish, having progressed from the group stages in four of their five World Cup appearances this century. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.

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The World Cup predictions page offers structured coverage of the tournament across all stages. Statistical summaries highlight performance trends across World Cup, including attacking and defensive records. The World Cup standings show current table positions, points totals, and recent form for all teams.

• Predict scores, follow live results and compete on the leaderboard.
• Brazil vs Senegal – There’s little doubt that Senegal possess the quality and confidence to push this tie into extra time.
• Beyond predictions, this tool works as a full World Cup 2026 calculator.
• Use our predictor tool to select the winners of each group and each knockout round at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
• FIFA’s current format sends the top two teams in each group into the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams, which means the margin for error is still very small even in an expanded tournament.
• Follow the 2026 tournament with AI football predictions, fixture context, correct score probabilities, BTTS, over/under goals, and market signals as the World Cup approaches.
• Simulating, playing Prono, and following live results are all free.
• Excitement is building ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 nations set to battle for football’s biggest prize.
• After being right three times in a row, I have been inundated by requests over the last four years to forecast the Euros, the Olympics, the Rugby World Cup, etc.
• South Korea and Czechia appear to be the likeliest candidates to challenge El Tri for the throne, but the 10-time Gold Cup winners should live up to their billing.
• Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps.

South Africa Return to the World Cup Transformed and Aiming to Make History

Our World Cup predictions are based on detailed analysis of team form, squad depth, tactical setups, and tournament dynamics unique to international football. With limited preparation time, neutral venues, and varying styles of play, World Cup matches require a different analytical approach compared to domestic and club competitions. In this 2026 World Cup bracket prediction, we break down every stage of the competition, from the group winners and best third-place qualifiers to the full knockout path through the Round of 32, Round of 16, semi-finals and final. While powerhouse nations like France, Argentina and Spain remain favorites, the expanded format creates more room for upsets, dark horses and unexpected runs that can completely reshape the bracket.

Argentina vs United States – The US crashed out at this juncture in the last tournament staged on their soil, and history looks set to repeat itself against the reigning champions. Croatia vs Spain – Croatia’s remarkable tournament experience and resilience could make this a tightly contested encounter. However, Spain’s technical quality and squad depth should ultimately tip the balance in their favour. Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title. We have mapped out the full World Cup Football World Cup 2026 picture, from the group-stage battles through to the knockout phase, outlining how the tournament could unfold from start to finish.

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And of course, there are also six teams still to be decided in March’s play-offs. There is currently a combined 3.7% chance of any of those sides going all the way, with Italy surely the most likely candidates if they can end their World Cup exile. Croatia are another team whose best days may be behind them but can never be ruled out. Semi-finalists in both 2018 and 2022, they are assigned a 1.1% chance of glory – lower than Mexico and Uruguay (1.7%), whose coach Bielsa recently went on a rant in a press conference following speculation over his position. Colombia also deserve their lofty status in our projections, as they come in the tournament off the back of a run to the final of the 2024 Copa América, having outscored all other teams at that tournament with 12 goals.

Lamine Yamal already looked a superstar then at 16 years old, and even though he’s just 18 now, it’s hard to see anyone stopping him. While France could run them close, all signs point to Spain winning their second ever World Cup and following their 2010 success. These national teams usually drive the biggest World Cup prediction searches and will be priorities for deeper pages once fixture data is live. Morocco (1.1%) and Ecuador (1.0%) are the other teams with a greater than 1% chance of glory, with Japan (0.9%) and USA just behind. Norway will be the team nobody wishes to draw from Pot 3, having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with a perfect eight wins and 37 goals – the most of any team.

But it remains to be seen whether 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will earn a historic call-up. He is the third player – alongside Messi and Ronaldo – able to appear at an unprecedented sixth edition of the World Cup and was selected for the Gold Cup, so watch this space. There will likely be an experienced feel to their squad, led by Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez, who is only eight away from Javier Hernández’s all-time Mexico goal record of 52. Mexico, the team that defeated the USA in the Gold Cup final, are the host nation viewed as most likely to shock the world and lift the trophy, with a 1.3% probability.

The fixture has all the makings of a potential group decider between the two highest-ranked nations in the bracket, with both sides renewing acquaintances at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, meeting for the sixth time in their history. Excitement is building ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 nations set to battle for football’s biggest prize. Interest in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has added renewed attention on the clip. According to the official Olympics explainer, the tournament will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Short-form video platforms have further amplified the spread through edited versions that remove context and add captions implying predictive meaning. HITC reporting also notes the footage has repeatedly resurfaced during major tournaments, rebranded each time as a supposed prediction.

But the jump from breakthrough side to World Cup knockout contender is huge. Argentina’s quality, Austria’s organization, and Algeria’s tournament experience make Jordan a clear underdog in that group. England’s talent makes them a serious contender, but I’m backing Croatia to finish first based on their recent World Cup success under Luka Modric.

If there is one established nation that could still be pushed out despite having World Cup experience, Qatar feels like the right call. It is a look at the teams with the toughest path, the thinnest squad depth, and the most unforgiving group-stage draw. Want to simulate the full tournament after finishing your group predictions? Use theFull Tournament Simulator to generate a complete bracket from groups to the final. The twelve third-place teams are compared by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, and finally FIFA ranking.

Senegal are live contenders in the group too and will be eyeing a repeat of their seismic win over Les Bleus at the 2002 World Cup. Co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico will all fancy their chances of progressing into the knockout rounds and giving fans memories to cherish. There may be some doubt as to whether the Netherlands have enough quality in their squad to go the distance, but they certainly have enough experience and talent in their ranks to secure top spot in a potentially tricky group. Hannibal Mjebri may catch the eye as one of Tunisia’s key attackers, but the country’s captain, Skhiri, may have a bigger say in the team’s overall performance, and not just because of his role as a leader.

Japan beat Spain and Germany in the group stage last time around and have a recent friendly win over Brazil to their name. They remain phenomenally strong, although there are plenty of questions surrounding five-time winners Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti. Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. The fixture also represents the first time that the two nations have faced off since they played out a 1-1 draw in a friendly in May 2002.

Group L: Croatia vs England Clash Tops Competitive Final Group

Hopefully, there’s plenty riding on their match that closes the group. The United States will have no complaints over this draw and have the opportunity to make a statement by progressing as group winners. A 5-1 win over Uruguay in November means South American opposition in the form of Paraguay should not hold the fear it once did. Here, Sports Mole provides an in-depth preview for Group F of the 2026 World Cup, including predicted standings and every nation’s key player. Prediction pools are popular across the US, UK, Canada and Australia for major tournaments. With the 2026 World Cup hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada, there’s never been a better time to start your own pool.

Japan have built significant momentum in the lead-up to the tournament with six consecutive victories, including successes against Brazil and England. SoccerPrediction.io provides football-related statistics, analysis, and informational content for general reference purposes only. Perfect for running a World Cup prediction game at the office or among friends. While the qualification rules may seem complex, all calculations are fully automated using built-in Excel formulas, so you don’t need to worry about manual ranking. Argentina vs Portugal – If there’s a nation equipped and motivated enough to end another title-winning campaign for Lionel Messi, it’s Roberto Martinez’s side. Mexico vs Best 3rd place Group C/E/F/H/I – Since suffering a quarter-final elimination on home soil in 1986, Mexico have reached the round of 16 in seven of their eight World Cup appearances.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 spreadsheets below are a complete collection of Excel templates designed to help football fans track match results, analyze statistics, and run prediction games with friends, family, or colleagues. This is the kind of group where one slow performance can end your hopes quickly. Qatar have experience, structure, and a homegrown football identity, but they do not have much margin for error against teams that are used to controlling matches in different ways.

Choose between blank fillable versions for office pools and predictions, or live versions updated with real results as the tournament progresses. Enter exact scorelines for any match and the built-in World Cup qualification calculator instantly recalculates group standings, points, goal difference, and qualification status. Test “what if” scenarios for any team to see exactly what they need to advance to the Round of 32. Click any team to mark them as winner, or type exact scorelines for full control over your predictions of World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the men’s football world championship, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams and the first co-hosted by three nations.