Track your path to 2026 World Cup glory with The Straits Times’ results simulator

My eight teams most likely to be eliminated in the group stage are Haiti, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama, Cape Verde, Qatar, and South Africa. That does not mean every one of them will crash out, because the 2026 World Cup format gives third-place teams a lifeline. But if you are looking for the sides with the toughest path, the smallest safety margin, and the most dangerous group assignments, this is the list I would start with. Cape Verde’s qualification is one of the best stories of the tournament, as they are the only African newcomers and the third-smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup. That makes them a team everyone will want to cheer for, but the draw has not been kind.

A FIFA ticketing error allowed roughly 60 fans to purchase World Cup tickets for $0

Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite.
Prediction pools are popular across the US, UK, Canada and Australia for major tournaments.
The main challenge in Group J is identifying who finishes behind Argentina, as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign makes them clear favorites.
That said, Senegal appear the more complete side, with greater star power likely to make the difference.
However, history is unlikely to repeat itself this time around, at least for the back-to-back World Cup finalists.
There’s a fairytale start to Group E, when four-time winners Germany take on tournament debutants and the smallest nation in World Cup history, Curacao.
My eight teams most likely to be eliminated in the group stage are Haiti, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama, Cape Verde, Qatar, and South Africa.
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That side of the draw could open up for England if they end Mexico’s interest in their home tournament.
Portugal enter the tournament as legitimate title contenders for good reason.
This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
Opening that link reproduces the exact bracket, which allows predictions to be compared or revisited later.
Brazil vs Senegal – There’s little doubt that Senegal possess the quality and confidence to push this tie into extra time.

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. I’m taking Czechia and Mexico to advance, with South Korea finishing as one of the best third‑place teams behind Son Heung-Min. For live results and data-driven forecasts, see the Predictions page. Rank each group from 1st through 4th place across all 12 groups, then pick your champion.

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. They still should have enough to advance as one of the best third‑place teams ahead of Haiti. 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.

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Meanwhile, if you ask a German economist who has successfully predicted the last three World Cup winners, this year’s champion will be a team that CoPilot, ChatGPT and Gemini all left out of their chief favorites. Joachim Klement, the head of strategy at the Panmure Liberium investment bank, is backing the Netherlands to win their first title. Elo ratings + XGBoost trained on 50,000+ international matches.

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.

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.

But a stunning defeat to Guatemala, in another shootout, ended Canada’s Gold Cup campaign at the quarter-final stage and brought them crashing down to earth. France became the sixth team to win the World Cup as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. That previous dry spell ended, of course, in the United States, and Brazil are assigned a 5.6% chance of another stateside triumph. Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup.

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Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere. Next up, ChatGPT thew in its two cents’ worth – and also named France as the men to beat in North America.

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. 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. Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps. On 5 December, allowing fans of all nations to start plotting their routes to a possible coronation at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. 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.

Who Will Win the FIFA World Cup 2026?

They have only endured one previous drought of that length since first winning the tournament in 1958, between 1970 and 1994. 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. Portugal went out to France at the next stage, as Ronaldo ended the tournament without a goal from 23 shots and 3.6 xG – the second-highest tally at the competition. Germany have at least scraped into Pot 1 for the group-stage draw, taking the 12th and final spot among the top seeds, ahead of Croatia, and despite question marks it would be rash not to consider them as contenders at this stage. 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).

Those teams round out the top 10 favourites, with Belgium next with a 1.9% probability. Many members of the Red Devils’ ‘Golden Generation’ remain in the fold, even if the years are starting to catch up with them. The resurgence of James Rodríguez made headlines at that competition, as he led the way for chances created (20) and assists (six) – that latter tally equalled the record for a single edition, alongside Brazil’s Alex in 2003.

Everyone earns points based on how accurate their predictions are, and the player with the most points wins.
Matches will be played across 16 cities in all three countries.
This is an independent fan experience and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA or any official tournament organizer.
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.
Facing Paraguay, Turkey and Australia, it is very possible for the USMNT to make it through the group stage.
France vs Spain – Only a handful of teams can stop Les Bleus from becoming the first team in World Cup history to reach three consecutive finals.
The result is a complete, shareable bracket that follows the official tournament format.
I expect a tight match, possibly decided in extra time or penalties, with France finding a way through to a third straight final.
On 5 December, allowing fans of all nations to start plotting their routes to a possible coronation at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Iran and New Zealand lack the elite finishing required to truly threaten Belgium at the top.
Want to simulate the full tournament after finishing your group predictions?
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.
A newly expanded World Cup format will see 48 nations compete across 12 groups for football’s biggest prize in a tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA.

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. From there, single-elimination knockouts run through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final, exactly as the real World Cup football predictions bracket will play out. 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.

It reflects the 48-team structure, the new Round of 32 stage, and the predetermined knockout paths set out in FIFA’s tournament regulations, including how third-place teams are assigned to specific matches. The twelve third-place teams are compared by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, and finally FIFA ranking. The eight highest-ranked thirds advance to the Round of 32, and the bottom four are eliminated. Pick winners group-by-group or auto-simulate every match from group stage to the final. Spain finally won the World Cup in 2010 when they edged the Netherlands in extra time, and after winning Euro 2024 two years ago, Luis de la Fuente’s side will look to build heavily on that success. With an attack boasting wonderkid Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal, it will be a tall order for any nation to outscore La Roja.

Paraguay star player: Miguel Almiron

South Korea takes on Czech Republic in a well-balanced matchup, where discipline, organization, and taking chances could be key factors. Both teams have enough quality to make this a very close contest. 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. Despite an underwhelming qualifying campaign, Carlo Ancelotti’s charges remain hot favourites to advance as group winners, with the Atlas Lions expected to settle for a runner-up finish.

They will be placed in Group D, with two of their first-round games taking place in Los Angeles and the other in Seattle.
Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +900 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962.
Pochettino’s squad boasts quality throughout, with the likes of Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams all expected to play prominent roles, but Christian Pulisic remains the standout figure.
Curaçao are one of the great stories of World Cup 2026, but their story may still end in the group stage.
Uruguay, playing under Marcelo Bielsa at a World Cup for the first time should have enough to qualify with Spain.
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.
Before bowing out in the group stages four years ago in Qatar, Mexico had reached the knockout phase at seven consecutive World Cups.
Eleven of the tournament’s venues are in the USA, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side are assigned a 0.9% chance of going all the way.
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.
The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams (32 in total), advance to the Round of 32.
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.
The expanded format and increased number of matches have intensified global discussion around potential finalists, contributing to the reinterpretation of older fictional content as predictive material.
While their physicality and attacking threat stand out, their defense is arguably their greatest strength, led by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka.
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%.
Switzerland’s experience and defensive structure should see them through comfortably, as well.
Germany’s recent World Cup campaigns have fallen short since their 2014 triumph.
European champions Spain face tournament debutants Cape Verde in their opener.

How accurate is the World Cup 2026 simulator?

Argentina would dearly love to become the first country to retain the title since Italy way back in 1938, But this Spain are too young, too fast, too technical and too good. 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. 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. Reigning world champions Argentina confirmed their status as a tournament machine at the 2024 Copa America. Austria impressed at Euro 2024 under Ralf Rangnick and were free-scoring during the UEFA qualifiers.

About the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage

The FIFA World Cup 2026 simulator covers all 48 teams, 12 groups, and 104 matches in one interactive tool. Results can be chosen by hand or generated from FIFA rankings, and every complete bracket can be shared with a single link. 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. Once a bracket is complete, a single share action copies a link containing every pick, so any prediction can be compared with others or revisited later.

World Cup Group F Preview: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden

Brazil vs Senegal – There’s little doubt that Senegal possess the quality and confidence to push this tie into extra time. 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.

It’s the best way to make every World Cup match more exciting. Set up a free prediction pool for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with friends, family or coworkers. Predict scores, follow live results and compete on the leaderboard. France vs Spain – Only a handful of teams can stop Les Bleus from becoming the first team in World Cup history to reach three consecutive finals.

The bracket predictor asks fans to make picks through the group stage and knockout rounds, eventually selecting a World Cup champion. Two of the most talented squads, if not the top two, meet in the tournament semi-final. Spain will draw heavy support, but France’s experience in semi-finals and finals gives them an edge in pressure moments. I expect a tight match, possibly decided in extra time or penalties, with France finding a way through to a third straight final. This group appears straightforward, with Brazil and Morocco standing out as the strongest sides.

England: 11.8%

Egypt progressing through CAF qualification undefeated as Belgium manage a period of transition away from their golden generation feel like relevant factors. Tunisia are set to make their third consecutive finals appearance after cruising through their qualifying group, recording nine wins and one draw without conceding a single goal. Mexico faces South Africa in the tournament opener, with the hosts looking to take advantage of home support and start with a confident performance. South Africa, however, will be motivated to challenge and avoid an early setback.

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. 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. 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.

However, the group won’t be straightforward against an experienced Uruguay side that only allowed 12 goals in 18 CONMEBOL qualification games. The top spot could come down to goal difference, with both teams likely taking advantage of Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia remain the wildcard, but I’m sticking with the two heavyweights to advance. 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. Beyond predictions, this tool works as a full World Cup 2026 calculator.

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. ScorePoint AI treats them as probability ranges and compares them with safer markets such as BTTS and over/under goals. So, too, did Gemini – which was the only member of our AI prediction panel that didn’t pick France outright. 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 Predictions: Our Picks

The FIFA World Cup 2026 simulator is an interactive tool that models the entire tournament, from the group stage through the final at MetLife Stadium. It covers all 48 teams, 12 groups, and 104 matches of the first 48-nation World Cup, allowing match winners to be selected by hand or generated automatically from FIFA rankings. The result is a complete, shareable bracket that follows the official tournament format.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams (32 in total) advance to the knockout Round of 32. Join 100+ managers already registered in the $BRACKETS League App-the premier high-performance fantasy sports playground. Build your bracket, click Share, and send the link to coworkers. For each of 12 groups, rank teams from 1st through 4th place.

Maradona in 1986 (30 shots, 19 open-play chances created, 53 fouls won). Southgate’s England teams were also solid at the back but rarely free-flowing. At Euro 2024, they recorded just 5.4 xG – Turkey, Austria and Switzerland were among the teams to better that tally. Tuchel’s task is simple – get international football’s nearly men over the line.

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

The placement of each team will affect whom they face in the knockout round. 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. For quiniela / bolão pools that require exact scores, use the printable version and write scores next to each match. 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.

Free Printable Bracket

The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
In an exercise of the utmost journalistic rigor, AS USA canvassed a trio of artificial-intelligence tools for their World Cup predictions.
Congo DR and Uzbekistan are unlikely to factor heavily, making this a high‑stakes, two‑team race.
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.
Choose group outcomes, pick the knockout winners and discover who triumphs.
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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.
It described Didier Deschamps’ team as the “slight favorite” to lift the title in mid-July, ahead of a Spain side that is “probably the biggest challenger” thanks to young stars like Lamine Yamal.
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.
Brazil’s bid for a sixth world title begins in a mouthwatering showdown with Morocco, who reached the semifinals last time around and stormed through CAF qualifying.
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.

The FIFA World Cup brings together national teams from across the globe, competing through qualification, group stages, and knockout rounds to determine the world champion. The tournament is played every four years and is known for its high intensity, global attention, and decisive matches where form, tactics, and squad depth play a crucial role. Sport’s greatest tournament returns with an all-new expanded format as 48 nations battle it out to win the World Cup. With 104 matches taking us from the Group Stage right through to the World Cup Final, we’re in for one heck of a month of soccer drama. Reigning champions Argentina arrive with superstar Lionel Messi likely playing in his last ever World Cup, while the same could also be said for Portugal hero Cristiano Ronaldo. France are looking to reclaim glory, while England are out to end 60 years of hurt.

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. This knockout matchup is a close one, but Morocco hold the edge. 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. Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest.

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.
Build and predict the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket with our free interactive bracket generator.
The World Cup standings show current table positions, points totals, and recent form for all teams.
We have mapped out the full World Cup picture, from the group-stage battles through to the knockout phase, outlining how the tournament could unfold from start to finish.
Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia.
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.
Saudi Arabia remain the wildcard, but I’m sticking with the two heavyweights to advance.
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.
A World Cup prediction pool (also called a soccer pool, office pool or bracket pool) is a game where you and your friends predict the scores of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.
Simulating, playing Prono, and following live results are all free.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams in 12 groups of four.

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. 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. There’s a feeling that the Ivory Coast could pip Ecuador to a coveted second place, while it would take a major surprise for debutants Curacao to upset the established hierarchy in this group.

⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 — AI Match Prediction Model

Whether you want to simulate the World Cup match-by-match or get instant World Cup 2026 predictions for the full tournament, this free tool covers all 48 teams across 12 groups and the 32-team knockout bracket. Adjust scores, apply official https://world-cup-2026.us.com/ 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.

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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. 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. Predictions are updated ahead of every round to provide clear insights for football fans following the tournament. Our goal is to deliver accurate match previews and analysis tailored specifically to World Cup competition.

While Algeria and Austria bring veteran leadership, Al‑Tamari’s pace and creativity could tilt the balance. 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.

What is a World Cup prediction pool?

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. On this page you can view World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions.

Group matches also allow for draws, with the likelihood of a draw decreasing as the gap in strength widens. Pick winners group by group, or auto-simulate the full tournament using FIFA rankings. 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. Simulate or predict every match of the 48-team tournament — group stage through the final.

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. There’s a fairytale start to Group E, when four-time winners Germany take on tournament debutants and the smallest nation in World Cup history, Curacao.

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.

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. 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. Spain are the European champions and keen to make up for a string of underwhelming World Cup showings since their 2010 success, while England under Thomas Tuchel are looking to end 60 years of hurt. 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. The World Cup standings show current table positions, points totals, and recent form for all teams.

We share FIFA World Cup 2026 updates for informational purposes only. A dedicated section in the simulator lists all twelve third-place teams in ranked order, with a clear cutoff line after the eighth position so that the qualifiers and the eliminated teams are easy to identify. Dive deeper into the tournament with our guides, analysis, and complete team profiles. Mauricio Pochettino will spearhead the United States Men’s National Team, with ambitions of advancing to their first quarterfinal since 2002, via The Mirror US. But with so many contenders in the running, who will ultimately lift the trophy?

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. 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.

World Cup Group J Preview: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Use our printable variant to write score predictions next to each match by hand.
The FIFA World Cup brings together national teams from across the globe, competing through qualification, group stages, and knockout rounds to determine the world champion.
Some of these nations can absolutely surprise people, but on paper, they are the ones most likely to fall short when the tournament begins in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
They crashed out at the group stage at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
FIFA’s tennis-style rankings keeping these two apart until the final can really come to pass in a dream final.
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.
Argentina dominated the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador, and last year they also retained the Copa América for the first time since 1993.
This change significantly alters both the group stage and the knockout bracket.
This page provides comprehensive coverage of the FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious international soccer tournament.
Tuchel’s task is simple – get international football’s nearly men over the line.
Apply the same AI prediction model to the tournament hub for World Cup fixtures, correct scores, BTTS, and totals.
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.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more.

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. England and Croatia both have deep tournament experience, and Ghana can be chaotic and dangerous in exactly the right way for a World Cup group. Panama will compete hard, and they have enough quality to make games uncomfortable, but the odds still lean against them. The top two teams in each group advance automatically, along with the eight best third-place teams.

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. Matches will be played across 16 cities in all three countries. Talk trash, celebrate goals and chat with your group right inside the app. England vs Portugal – Ronaldo may have to take comfort from beating his arch-nemesis in the quarter-finals.

Spread across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the tournament will captivate audiences for the next six weeks, showcasing some of the sport’s greatest talents, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland. Paraguay’s squad features several familiar names, including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Diego Gómez, Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso and Sunderland defender Omar Alderete, but Miguel Almiron stands out as their key figure. Pochettino’s squad boasts quality throughout, with the likes of Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams all expected to play prominent roles, but Christian Pulisic remains the standout figure. The discussion also referenced claims that ‘Portugal ended up winning,’ alongside alleged symbolic elements such as World Cup branding colours and kit-like visual patterns. Lionel Messi has a couple of years under his belt now of playing on North American soil, which could put him and Argentina in good stead for the World Cup. 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.

Building a perfect bracket may be unrealistic, but identifying where chaos is most likely, and where elite teams will hold firm, is the key to getting ahead. Below, you’ll find a full round-by-round projection, blending safe picks with calculated risks to map out how the 2026 World Cup could unfold. Use Print / Save PDF for a printable copy, or Copy share link to create a URL that saves all of your picks so you can share your predictions. Smart Predict ranks each group by current FIFA World Ranking — the official ranking available for every qualified team. The tool does not blend multiple data sources or weight scores; FIFA Ranking is the single signal.

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. 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. With a 14.1% chance, France are the supercomputer’s second favourites, just behind Spain, who beat them 5-4 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in June. Ahead of this week’s draw, we have taken a deep dive into the Opta supercomputer’s first set of World Cup predictions to assess who is most likely to lift the trophy.