Supercomputer Predicts 2026 World Cup Winner After Group Stage Concludes

He writes with the perspective of someone who genuinely cares about where the club is heading rather than simply reporting what has already happened. His focus tends to lean toward how the team sets up, where things break down, and what needs to change to get back to where Juventus belongs in the European conversation. Only Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) have ever done it.

• There are 12 different groups of four teams in the 2026 World Cup.
• Choose group outcomes, pick the knockout winners and discover who triumphs.
• At the former tournament, Ronaldo was dropped for a last-16 tie against Switzerland after a series of ineffective displays, and his replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
• Deschamps also lifted the trophy as a player when he was captain in 1998 and this will be Kylian Mbappé’s first World Cup as France skipper.
• Top 5 (Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil) most likely to reach this stage.
• 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.
• Ismael Saibari, who is set to make the move to Bayern Munich this summer, has scored three times in three appearances at the 2026 World Cup and will again lead the line.
• France remain a tournament machine under Didier Deschamps’s successor, with Mbappé still in his prime and one of the deepest squads in world football.
• For those who prefer Spanish-language broadcasts, 92 games will be on Telemundo, with the other 12 matches (all simultaneous group finales) on Universo.
• These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory.
• Brilliant Bernardo Silva and the livewire Rafael Leao are in Roberto Martinez’s squad too.
• If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, support is available at GambleAware or GamCare.
• France are the favorites to win the World Cup 2026 after a perfect group stage.

A confident victory over Curaçao on Matchday 3 showcased both their defensive organisation and attacking threat. The match result market is heavily skewed toward Argentina, who are available at the best price of 1/6 across nine leading operators. Cape Verde are a 19/1 shot to cause one of the tournament’s great upsets. The draw is priced at 15/2, reflecting just how unlikely a stalemate is given the gap in class between these two sides. Some links to betting partners or promotional offers on MyFootballFacts may result in a commission to help support our site.

Friday, June 26

Even if Lamine Yamal fails to recover for the early stages of the competition, this should be plain sailing for Spain, as they hope to build upon their 2024 UEFA European Championship triumph. A battle for second place ought to be far more exciting, with Iran likely to put Egypt’s credentials to the test after a decent group-stage campaign in Qatar. Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat.

World Cup semifinal 2026 bracket predictions

Just 18 years old, he is tipped to be the young player of the tournament and already has the ability to spearhead his team to World Cup glory. Austria are narrowly favoured to win, with a 31.2 percent chance of taking all three points, while Algeria are rated at 26.7 percent. Victory would see Algeria win back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time.

Three Lions have had a tumultuous and injury-riddled group stage, but Thomas Tuchel’s squad should still come out on top. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32. Click any group below for full match predictions, score tips, and qualification analysis.

Internationals

We have covered the seven teams who are most likely to win the tournament, but there are also a few other potential winners. Of course, they were famously crowned world champions in South Africa – but that 2010 success also represents the only time they have reached the semi-finals from their last 14 participations. But Spain’s quality is highlighted by being the only team rated as more likely than not to reach the quarter-finals, which they did 52.1% of the time. The Sporting News is tracking the favourites to win and best betting offers including 50/1 for a goal to be scored in England vs. Congo and 40/1 for Harry Kane to have a shot in the match. This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo.

Team News And Predicted Lineups

Algeria showed great character in their second group game, coming from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1, and Vladimir Petkovic has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this … When the smart-money crowd converges on a Top 4, history suggests a team NOT in that group wins the tournament about 25% of the time. Watch Portugal, Germany, and Netherlands as potential disruptors. Top 5 (Argentina, Spain, France, England, Brazil) most likely to reach this stage. Historical data suggests 5 of 8 QF teams will be from Europe + South America. Most matches should follow ranking expectations, but expect 2–4 upsets given third-placed teams are typically mid-tier (ranked 40–80 globally).

Who Will Win the World Cup 2026?

Anchored by a veteran Casemiro, who can cap off a trophy-laden career with the holy grail of international football. At the back, a Champions League final defensive duo of Gabriel and Marquinhos will be difficult to top throughout the tournament. The World Cup kicks off on June 11 – but who will lift the trophy after the final on July 19? Thomas Tuchel’s England among favourites, but Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, France, Spain, Brazil and more in the mix; Our writers make their predictions… Both sides are still chasing a place in the knockout stage, with DR Congo also seeking their first-ever World Cup victory after drawing with Portugal and narrowly losing to Colombia.

Top 5 Favourites According to Latest Odds

The 2026 World Cup continues with three more Round of 32 matchups on Tuesday. ET with Norway vs. Ivory Coast, followed by France vs. Sweden at 5 p.m. The action wraps up with Mexico hosting Ecuador at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and Mexico is the only team remaining in the tournament that hasn’t yet conceded a goal. The latest 2026 World Cup betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Mexico as -182 favorites to advance to the Round of 16, while Ecuador are +148 underdogs. However, SportsLine soccer expert Matt Severance is looking for a little added security by playing Mexico (tie no bet) for a -215 payout.

With one of the most dramatic club seasons in recent memory only just behind us, the stakes are about to get even higher, with the biggest prize in football up for grabs at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Get RotoWire’s advanced reports and tools to confidently start your best team. Meanwhile, France bring Championship pedigree, combining 2018 winners Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele with a new generation led by Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki.

SportsLine’s soccer experts have revealed their World Cup picks and World Cup predictions for Tuesday, June 30

Sparkles will be flying when USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina square off in the World Cup last 32 at Levi’s Stadium. As USA have been producing excellent performances in front of home fans, our prediction points toward a 2-1 home win. Here’s exactly how we compute championship odds, group probabilities, and knockout forecasts. The 2026 knockout format starts with Round of 32 — a new round created by the 48-team expansion. 8 third-placed teams join the 24 automatic qualifiers (1st + 2nd from each of 12 groups), making the R32 path unprecedented. FIFA Annex C determines R32 pairings based on which groups the third-placed teams come from.

• Top 10 championship probabilities based on FIFA ranking, ELO, and weighted recent form.
• Their identity has been built on structure and defensive organisation, with 1.1 goals…
• Get the latest World Cup 2026 predictions and betting tips, powered by our AI algorithm, NT Apex.
• The Three Lions’ Round of 32 match is 5pm on Wednesday before Belgium vs. Senegal, with the winner of that one setting up a meeting with USA should the Stars and Stripes beat Bosnia.
• Gareth Southgate did a fabulous job, reaching back-to-back Euros finals with England, but his in-game management was called into question as he failed to get England over the line.
• Egypt, Mohamed Salah and all, should have more than enough to do the job here.
• As the tournament draws ever closer, getting stuck into the Opta supercomputer’s projections is the perfect way to whet your appetite while brushing up on some stimulating statistics.
• Here’s the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
• France will naturally sit near the top of most betting markets but they are easier to oppose than the odds suggest.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal should not be discounted, while the three host nations will be desperate to make their mark.
• However, we predict a 3-0 away win as les Tricolores look unstoppable at the moment.
• Nestor Lorenzo’s team look a little more battle hardened and should edge through.

And while the U.S. doesn’t have a star the caliber of those players, Christian Pulisic stands out as a player to watch on the team. He delivered a gutsy performance in shaking off an injury to help the Americans reach the knockout round at the 2022 World Cup, becoming a household name. Then, in the final round of group play, there will be six games each day, with the teams in each group kicking off at the same time. Below is a daily World Cup game schedule so you can plan accordingly. In terms of winning the tournament, USA’s chances are more remote but still respectable at 1.2%. That puts them close to Switzerland, two-time winners Uruguay and Ecuador in our overall projections.

🕐 Kick-Off Times — Nigeria, Kenya & Ghana

You can get daily World Cup 2026 match tips and predictions right here on 1960Tips. Visit our World Cup 2026 predictions today page or our main football predictions page for daily updates throughout the tournament. Fresh match predictions, betting tips, and analysis updated every day throughout the tournament. Here is each team’s probability of winning the World Cup, and advancing to each stage of the knockout round, using an old-school, FiveThirtyEight heatmap format. France’s flawless group stage made them the favorite, Argentina drew the kinder half of the bracket, Norway are the dark horse, and Messi leads the Golden Boot race as the competition’s all-time top scorer. With the Round of 32 underway and this 48-team field wide open, we will update these picks after every round.

Belgium vs Senegal Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News & Tactical Analysis 2026 World Cup Round of 32

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. France became the sixth team to win the World Cup as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. 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.

We’ve lost big names like Uruguay, Scotland and Türkiye, but all the pre-tournament favorites are still alive and kicking in pursuit of glory across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The teams that can solve different tactical puzzles, manage their energy levels and thrive in hostile conditions usually find themselves going deepest into the competition. Luis de la Fuente and his squad of stars will want to change that and with Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to come in Group H this summer, reaching the knockouts is unlikely to be a problem. Spain often have a who’s who of title winners from across Europe, and this summer is no different.

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). 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). 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.

There are no major injury concerns for either side, with both managers expected to field their strongest available lineups. Norway, meanwhile, is making its first World Cup appearance since France 1998 and has looked every bit like a dangerous dark horse. Both nations are chasing a place in the last 16, but only one will keep their World Cup dream alive. Leading the way is France with a chance of 18.66%, putting Les Bleus marginally ahead of Argentina’s 16.26%. As the round of 32 prepares to get underway on Sunday, the cogs of the Opta supercomputer have been whirring to rate every team’s chances of glory. (via FanDuel Sportsbook, subject to change)See full World Cup picks at SportsLine.

World Cup betting, odds: Betting public heavily backing USMNT against Paraguay

The disappointing campaign prompted President Lee to order a full review of the national team programme, describing the result as “deeply bewildering” and questioning both the team’s structure and Hong’s appointment. Morocco, meanwhile, arrive in a confident mood after beating Scotland and are aiming for back-to-back World Cup wins over European opponents for the first time. Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on topping Group E after surrendering a lead against Germany, but their overall performances have underlined why they are being tipped as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

World Championship 2026 facts (last 90 games)

They are split into 12 groups of four, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout rounds. See here for an overview of which teams got luckiest and unluckiest based on where they slotted into the bracket. Choose group outcomes, pick the knockout winners and discover who triumphs. These four all reached the knockouts and have the profile to go further. Below are the 16 actual fixtures with our pick for each, followed by our forecast through to the final.

Pick Your World Cup 2026 Winner

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. Despite beating Argentina in the 2022 group stage, Saudi Arabia may once again fall short of a top-two finish, which looks reserved for Uruguay.

Build your bracket, play the prediction league, and follow every match — all in one place. Gillette Stadium will host an intriguing World Cup last-32 clash between Germany and Paraguay. As Germany are eager to make amends for a shocking 2-1 loss to Ecuador, we predict a 2-1 home win. Germany failed to impress in their final group match, but with qualification already secured, the result had little significance. Expect a thrilling atmosphere at Estadio Banorte (Azteca) in Mexico City when Mexico and Ecuador square off in the World Cup last 32.

• 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.
• 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 supercomputer is a bit kinder to Uzbekistan (0.1%) and Jordan (0.1%), but both teams will still be doing well to get out of their groups.
• If you choose to engage with betting partners featured on the site, always stay within your limits.
• 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.
• Erling Haaland struck 16 times in just eight games, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign.
• Despite sitting a little below the top four nations, these sides are also contenders.
• Whether you want to forecast the whole tournament, compete with friends, or just watch the games — we’ve got you covered.
• A total of 18 spots are earnt for these three different qualification processes in Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF) and Oceania (OFC).
• He’s a winner and with the squad he’s picked, he obviously has a plan.
• While their physicality and attacking threat stand out, their defense is arguably their greatest strength, led by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka.
• There should be plenty of service for Harry Kane, who is Europe’s most in-form striker, netting 24 goals in 20 matches for Bayern Munich since the start of the season in August.
• Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation.
• But there is one scenario our supercomputer is willing to rule out, as the only team who never won the tournament in any of our 25,000 simulations was Curaçao.
• You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s 2026 World Cup picks.
• They’re deep, everyone’s scoring, they’re changing and there is just a wealth of talent to choose from.

We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases. All eyes will be on SoFi Stadium when South Africa and Canada face each other in the World Cup knockout stages. As Canada look sharp up front and determined to go all the way at the showpiece tournament, we predict a 2-0 away win. Bafana Bafana booked their place in the last 32 thanks to a shock 1-0 victory over South Korea, showing great discipline and defensive organizatio… Expect a thrilling atmosphere when Canada and Morocco face each other in the World Cup last 16, with both teams dreaming of a place in the quarter-finals. As Morocco have been producing excellent displays at the showpiece tournament, we predict a 1-0 away win.

There are quite often, and unfortunately, major injuries that rule out certain players from the World Cup Finals, much to the devastation of the players themselves and their nations. This can impact a team’s chances heavily, especially if it is a top goalscorer or stalwart defender that is essential to the way the nation plays. There are many teams who have a shot at winning the 2026 World Cup, with high expectations placed on nations like Argentina, France and Spain, who have all won recent World Cups or major tournaments in recent years. In our pick ’em for the World Cup, users select who they think will win each of the 12 groups ahead of the tournament’s first game on Thursday. Then, after the group stage concludes and 32 of the tournament’s 48 teams move on to the knockout rounds, users can then pick the results of each of the 31 elimination games.

La Roja swept all before them, winning six of their seven matches inside 90 minutes and only requiring extra-time to eliminate hosts Germany in the quarter-final. They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest tournament in football history. For the first time, 48 nations compete across 104 matches spread over 39 days in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June 2026 to the Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on 19 July 2026, this page is your complete prediction hub. France lead our World Cup 2026 predictions after winning the toughest group in the tournament, and we are calling a France vs Argentina final on July 19, a rematch of the 2022 showpiece.

MetLife Stadium will be the centre of attention when France and Sweden lock horns in an exciting last-32 encounter. As Les Bleus have looked like one of the strongest teams in the tournament so far, our prediction leans toward a 4-2 home win. France cruised through the group stage with a 100% record, recording comfortable wins over Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Spain and Austria go head-to-head in the World Cup last 32 with La Roja looking to move one step closer towards their second trophy at the showpiece tournament.

Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title. Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with the pair battling to reach the final 16 of the tournament. Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. This has all of the makings of a very, very interesting match, and we have found it difficult to pick a winner here. Netherlands have been impressive this summer, but we are expecting Morocco to record a 2-1 victory in order to progress to the round of 16.

Uzbekistan came out on top in 26.8 percent of simulations, while the draw was rated at 24.3 percent, leaving the Central Asian side with an outside chance of reaching the Round of 32. England and Panama have met only once before at the World Cup, with England cruising to a 6-1 victory in the group stage at Russia 2018. That triumph remains Three Lions’ biggest win in tournament history.

What a story it would be if, at 41-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo matches his arch rival Lionel Messi by helping Portugal to a first-ever World Cup this summer. The Argentina ace’s supporters have been able to play a trump card whenever the debate about the two modern-day icons has been had since Messi’s heroics in Qatar. Portugal are slight favourites according to the Opta supercomputer, winning 51.6 percent of its 25,000 pre-match simulations. Across 25,000 pre-match simulations, Croatia won 56.3 percent of the time. Ghana were victorious in 17.6 percent of simulations, while the draw was rated at 26.2 percent. There are many nations from Africa that could have a huge impact on the 2026 World Cup, just like Morocco who managed to make it all the way to the semi-final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

South Africa and Egypt also reached the knockouts for the first time, while pre-tournament hopefuls Turkiye and Uruguay both went home early. 1960Tips.com has been the trusted destination for free football predictions, expert VIP picks, and sports betting analysis since 2017. Established in the UK — serving a global audience across Africa, Asia, and beyond.

World Cup Format Explained (48 Teams, Knockout Path)

Here’s how to watch all 104 World Cup matches for free, and here’s a channel guide for the group stage games. For those who prefer Spanish-language broadcasts, 92 games will be on Telemundo, with the other 12 matches (all simultaneous group finales) on Universo. Estadio Azteca is the most well-known in Mexico, but sites in Monterrey and Guadalajara will also be used.

Given the huge gap in quality between the two teams, we predict a routine 2-0 home win. England secured top spot in Group L with victories over Panama and Croatia, while sharing the spoils with Ghana. Argentina enter the tournament as defending champions, four years on from Lionel Messi’s long-awaited crowning moment, and as the all-time great prepares for his last dance on this stage. Ronald Koeman’s side won 47.6 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Morocco progressed in 25.0 percent.

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. That previous dry spell ended, of course, in the United States, and Brazil are assigned a 5.6% chance of another stateside triumph. Then, in Germany, Ronaldo broke down in tears after seeing a penalty saved in Portugal’s last-16 tie against Slovenia, which they eventually won on spot-kicks. But a rampant 5-0 victory in Serbia in September showcased the Three Lions’ potential, and the emergence of Elliot Anderson seems to have finally ended their search for a central midfield partner for Declan Rice.

Ghana cannot be overlooked, as Antoine Semenyo provides genuine danger, but I expect the European sides to control this group with Ghana likely finishing as one of the best third-place teams. France appear primed for another title push, led by the world’s top goal scorer Kylian Mbappe and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Throw in guys like William Saliba and Michael Olise, among others, and it’s hard not to like this group.

For Cape Verde and manager Rui Aguas, simply reaching this stage has already rewritten what is possible for African football’s smaller nations, and anything further would be a genuine shock to the tournament bracket. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 nations and the first hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 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. DR Congo head into their final Group K match against Uzbekistan knowing that a win should be enough to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stages. As Uzbekistan have been struggling defensively at the 2026 World Cup finals, we predict a 1-0 home win. The Leopards, meanwhile, have produced encouraging displays so far, drawing 1-1 with Portugal before suffering a narrow 1…

But if France make the quarter-finals (they did so in 47.9% of sims), they then start to fare increasingly better in our projections. Ultimately, they made the final 21.3% of the time and emerged as the second-likeliest victors. If a team wants to win the World Cup this summer, they will likely have to overcome a formidable obstacle in Spain. Cape Verde have qualified for the first time and are among 10 countries from Africa, while the three co-hosts make up half of six teams from the CONCACAF region. U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will present the winning country with the trophy in East Rutherford, New Jersey when the competition concludes with the World Cup final on 19 July.

• This is the sort of information to consider if you are thinking of betting on the World Cup, and we have included it in our World Cup betting guide.
• Eight knockout rounds for the eventual winners, compared to seven previously.
• These teams last met in Oct. 2025 in which Japan won for the first time in 14 matches versus the Brazilians.
• Below is a daily World Cup game schedule so you can plan accordingly.
• 8 third-placed teams join the 24 automatic qualifiers (1st + 2nd from each of 12 groups), making the R32 path unprecedented.
• Messi has scored six goals in three World Cup 2026 group matches, meaning Cape Verde’s centre-backs Logan Costa and Roberto Lopes must track him constantly, which in turn creates space for Martinez and Alvarez to exploit.
• Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe.
• For the first time, 48 nations will compete to lift the World Cup trophy in an expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada across 16 stadiums.
• France head the betting to win the 2026 World Cup on Sunday July 19.
• 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.
• That flexibility feels particularly important in a World Cup likely to be played in extreme temperatures.
• Now that there are 12 groups instead of eight, it’s hard to find a Group of Death with four exceptionally strong teams.

France became the sixth team to win as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. Netherlands (3.6%) and Norway (3.5%) rank highest in terms of possible World Cup winners. The issue for both is they will first have to negotiate their way through difficult groups and, if they don’t finish top in the initial stage, that could hinder them with a tougher path to the final. Despite sitting a little below the top four nations, these sides are also contenders. If any of them capture form and momentum at the right time, they will prove tough to stop.

Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent of simulations, while the draw was given a 25.2 percent probability. A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K. Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of recording their first-ever World Cup victory, while the probability of them earning a maiden World Cup point stands at 12.6 percent. Six World Cup games, knockout places on the line, Cape Verde make history and Iran wait for a place in the Round of 32. England are another nation with a strong squad, and they will be seeking to avenge their heartache in recent major competitions where they have fallen at the final hurdle or close to it. A total of 18 spots are earnt for these three different qualification processes in Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF) and Oceania (OFC).

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. 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. With 48 teams taking part, there also will be some new names gracing the tournament. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, now teammates at Napoli, and Thibaut Courtois will all feature at a fourth edition of the World Cup – no player has ever represented Belgium at more (Enzo Scifo also four). Those teams round out the top 10 favourites, with Belgium next with a 1.9% probability.

Argentina are expected to win this World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie comfortably, with Messi in prolific form having scored six goals in the group stage and Lautaro Martinez adding further firepower. At 1/6, there is no value in the match result outright, but Argentina to win and over 2.5 goals at the best available price represents the most sensible angle in a game that has all the hallmarks of a heavy home-side victory. Mexico are seeded comfortably and will play key matches at altitude in Mexico City, a significant advantage. The USA enter a home tournament with their strongest squad in a generation, headlined by Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Yunus Musah. While outright victory may be a stretch, a deep run by either CONCACAF nation feels plausible. They are robust, organised, physically powerful and extremely difficult to break down.

Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +1000 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962. Meanwhile, the USMNT are +6000 longshots to win on home soil, with co-host Mexico also at +6000 and Canada longshots at +17500. Before making any 2026 World Cup picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Green has to say. He just scores goals – 61 of them to be precise this season – and this summer he looks to be heading into the tournament in peak physical condition. He finally has that winning feeling at Bayern and maybe, just maybe, he’s ready to fire England to glory too. The Opta supercomputer gave the reigning world champions a 77.9 percent chance of victory across 25,000 pre-match simulations.

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. 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.

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 Round of 32 began on June 28, 2026 and runs through July 3. The expanded 48-team format added this extra knockout round for the first time, sending 32 of the 48 teams into single-elimination ties before the Round of 16. Debutants Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of two-time champions Uruguay, who were eliminated.

• Data-driven betting decisions always give you a better chance of placing winning bets, which demonstrates why it is so crucial which FIFA World Cup predictions that you decide to use, or opt against using.
• Taremi urged FIFA to resolve the issues, saying the governing body had failed to provide the support promised before the tournament.
• Historical data suggests 5 of 8 QF teams will be from Europe + South America.
• Netherlands could meet a Germany or a France in the final eight, and their performances thus far have suggested that a potential challenge for the trophy is possible.
• 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.
• Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez.
• And while the U.S. doesn’t have a star the caliber of those players, Christian Pulisic stands out as a player to watch on the team.
• The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides advance to the brand-new Round of 32.
• European opponents tend to fill the United States with dread, but Bosnia has faded down the stretch in all of their matches, even the win over Qatar.
• The teams were given a final roster deadline of June 1, so we already know who will be representing each country (click on the teams below to see each roster).
• Portugal are fifth favourites to triumph, as Cristiano Ronaldo seeks the one honour still missing from his trophy cabinet.
• Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts missed out on top spot in Group B after defeat to Switzerland and must decamp to L.A.
• They’ve been excellent in this tournament, and Sweden’s attack-oriented mindset is generally a less effective strategy for pulling off an upset than Paraguay’s more defensive stance.

France (+500) and England (+650) round out the top three in the 2026 World Cup odds, while Brazil (+850) are the biggest World Cup favorites outside of Europe. Outright odds for the World Cup are decided based on numerous factors and considerations from bookmakers, such as team strength, form through qualifiers, performance against big nations, among other things. Moreover, with international tournaments and matches being played so sparingly, being able to get over the line and win trophies can play a huge role in deciding the winners of major tournaments like the World Cup. 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. For Lionel Messi and company, this is the start of their title defence in earnest.

• No nation has retained the men’s World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and the expanded 48-team format adds an extra knockout round and more upset paths than any previous edition.
• Canada reached the last 16 thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Africa, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring the dec…
• For Lionel Messi and company, this is the start of their title defence in earnest.
• With more nations, an added knockout round, and third-place teams advancing, predicting the full tournament path is more complex, and more intriguing, than ever.
• U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will present the winning country with the trophy in East Rutherford, New Jersey when the competition concludes with the World Cup final on 19 July.
• And there has been no downturn from De la Fuente’s side since.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams and they are split into 12 different groups, with winners, runners up, and even some third placed teams qualifying into the knockout rounds of the Finals.
• In the United States, all 104 matches are in English on Fox (70) and FS1 (34), and all are streamed on Fox One.
• Statistical data, team form, and recent match history are taken into account, and predictions are automatically generated by AI with an accuracy of over 71.9%.
• Colombia have not conceded in their past two matches and had the better of their goalless draw against Portugal.
• I would feel more confident in the U.S. going through to the semifinals in that scenario than us against someone like Spain.
• Get 2–4 premium picks daily with odds averaging 3.05 and our loss replacement guarantee.
• Similarly, during the tournament you may need to keep up with suspensions, with players potentially missing matches due to an accumulation of yellow cards or a red card.
• This involves two teams from CONCACAF and one team from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC.

League One

Meanwhile, European soccer insider Martin Green has also revealed picks for Ivory Coast vs. Norway and Sweden vs. France. He’s backing Norway to win behind star striker Erling Haaland and also has France winning comfortably against a European rival. The over/under for total goals scored in France vs. Sweden is 3.5.

• Ghana cannot be overlooked, as Antoine Semenyo provides genuine danger, but I expect the European sides to control this group with Ghana likely finishing as one of the best third-place teams.
• Picking a winner is harder than it has ever been, and that’s precisely what makes the build-up so compelling.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces the most dramatic format change in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams and creating a brand-new bracket structure that reshapes how every round unfolds.
• Predictions cover Final Result, Under/Over, Both Teams to Score, Correct Score, xG, Corners, and Ball Possession.
• Here’s exactly how we compute championship odds, group probabilities, and knockout forecasts.
• Both nations are chasing a place in the last 16, but only one will keep their World Cup dream alive.
• Brazil vs Japan – Under normal circumstances, this would be a no-brainer.
• Before locking in any Brazil vs. Japan picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, you need to see what proven soccer expert Jon Eimer has to say.
• Don’t be surprised if at least one traditional power exits before the quarter-finals.
• Debutants Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of two-time champions Uruguay, who were eliminated.
• Gillette Stadium will host an intriguing World Cup last-32 clash between Germany and Paraguay.

It is 24 years since Brazil last prevailed and only once before have they endured a drought of that length since first winning in 1958, which was between 1970 and 1994. Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez. Portugal are fifth favourites to triumph, as Cristiano Ronaldo seeks the one honour still missing from his trophy cabinet. A rampant Kane scored an astonishing 61 club goals across all competitions (64 if you also include the Club World Cup) and finished the season in fine style with two consecutive hat-tricks. Harry Kane shouldn’t be short of service and Tuchel will be buoyed by the fact his captain is coming off a sensational campaign with Bayern Munich that saw him win the European Golden Shoe award. France are seen as having the most difficult group of the leading teams, as they face Norway, Senegal and Iraq 2026 fifa world cup predictions in Group I.

Furthermore, it can simply lead to a drop in motivation levels, especially if they face a team needing to win to earn a place in the World Cup Finals. Data-driven betting decisions always give you a better chance of placing winning bets, which demonstrates why it is so crucial which FIFA World Cup predictions that you decide to use, or opt against using. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any intriguing games in the group stage.

Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps. And there has been no downturn from De la Fuente’s side since. These teams met in the last 16 in Qatar and Argentina had to endure some nervy moments. Lionel Scaloni’s men have two major tournament successes in their back pocket since then and can make easy work of this game.