World Cup 2026 Predictions Expert Tips, Groups & Match Analysis

They were the only contender to come through the group stage with a perfect record, and they did it in the toughest group in the draw. Argentina are right behind them, on the opposite side of the bracket. Here is how the leading contenders stack up as the knockouts begin. Reliable World Cup 2026 predictions depend on careful analysis of each team, its players, and its performance over time.

Tournament Format

But by the time next year’s tournament rolls around, it will have been 12 years since Germany played a knockout game at a World Cup. 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. Sixteen venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico will play host to the biggest-ever edition of the tournament, with the number of teams increasing from 32 and 48 and the tally of games upped from 64 to 104. Teams with statistically underrated odds given their ELO momentum and recent tournament form. The 48-team format’s wider R32 bracket creates more upset opportunities than the 32-team era. 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.

• The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Finals, whilst a 16-team play-off competition then decides the final four spots.
• His squad have a 22.1% hope of making the last four, at which stage few would want to face them.
• He was in the squad that swept all before them to win Euro 2024 in such impressive style just two summers ago.
• France and Argentina are the most likely finalists, sitting on opposite halves of the bracket.
• Portugal go into the World Cup with momentum after winning the Nations League under Roberto Martínez.
• The production of Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen should be enough to see them top the group.
• Spain will draw heavy support, but France’s experience in semi-finals and finals gives them an edge in pressure moments.
• If he carries them past Iran and New Zealand, advancement is realistic.
• Before bowing out in the group stages four years ago in Qatar, Mexico had reached the knockout phase at seven consecutive World Cups.
• 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.
• South Africa (0.1%) are the joint 37th likeliest winners of the World Cup but still have a healthy 49.3% chance of making the knockouts, helped by being in a group where co-hosts Mexico are the top seeds.
• 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.
• I personally love this matchup, with two of Africa’s strongest sides potentially meeting in the knockout round.
• Japan, meanwhile, have not displayed the same level of dominance even within their confederation.

Who has qualified for the Round of 32 so far? (As of June 27, 06:00 GMT)

These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory. France, with their deeper, lavishly gifted squad, can gain revenge as the fresher of the two over this slog of a tournament. Houston is a long way from Canada, and this is probably where the co-hosts’ run comes to earth, with 2022 semifinalists Morocco going deep once more. Senegal looked sharp in their final win over Iraq but didn’t impress much against Norway ro France. 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. Both of these teams have enjoyed free-scoring group-stage outingsm but if Sweden enter a 90-minute shootout with Kylian Mbappe and company, they are likely to be outgunned.

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

But they should have too much for South Africa, even if their often erratic finishing threatens to leave the game in the balance. 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. South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following his side’s group-stage elimination from the World Cup, after coming under heavy criticism from President Lee Jae-myung. 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. The Opta supercomputer makes Brazil the favourites to reach the next round. This promises to be one of the most evenly matched ties of the Round of 32.

Whether you want to forecast the whole tournament, compete with friends, or just watch the games — we’ve got you covered. The last time that happened, between Argentina and West Germany in 1990, the European nation gained its revenge. France can power clear as Argentina’s exertions against Portugal and Brazil catch up with them, and Messi runs out of fairy-tales. The Netherlands have been in free-scoring form so far, plundering 10 in Group F. Ronald Koeman’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet, though, and Morocco’s vibrant attack will play fearlessly as they have all tournament. Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts missed out on top spot in Group B after defeat to Switzerland and must decamp to L.A.

• That is where Tuchel excels and it could prove to be the difference maker for the Three Lions.
• Played every four years, teams battle it out for the Jules Rimet trophy and to have their name etched in history as World Cup winners.
• While outright victory may be a stretch, a deep run by either CONCACAF nation feels plausible.
• Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario.
• The 2026 World Cup is the first men’s World Cup in the United States since the 1994 tournament, and it’ll be unlike any World Cup ever played.
• Messi (13) is one goal ahead of Mbappé, who will surely take possession of the record eventually.
• 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One is a new free-to-play Yahoo Fantasy game where fans make picks each round, earn points and climb the leaderboard.
• 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.
• I expect a tight match, possibly decided in extra time or penalties, with France finding a way through to a third straight final.
• 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.
• 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.
• With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again.
• Our predictor lets you override any forecast and compete with friends.
• At age 40, Croatia’s Luka Modrić will be back for a fifth World Cup, assuming he recovers from cheekbone surgery in time.

Preview: Netherlands vs Morocco – prediction, team news, lineups 2026 World Cup

It’s one thing having World Cup predictions at your disposal, but it’s important to use them correctly and alongside your own research. With the FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams in total, this is how teams from each continent qualify for the Finals. The tournament has three different hosts, which are Canada, Mexico, and the USA, all three of which will feature in the tournament due to hosting. In 11 of the 12 groups, a team has been picked by at least 70% of entries in Yahoo Sports’ Soccer Pick ‘Em with Fox One. Yahoo users are largely united about how the group stage will play out. In the United States, all 104 matches are in English on Fox (70) and FS1 (34), and all are streamed on Fox One.

Belgium vs Senegal Picks, Tips, Odds & Best Bets: 2026 World Cup Round of 32

Germany’s recent World Cup campaigns have fallen short since their 2014 triumph. While they showed promise at UEFA EURO 2024, France enter with superior depth and balance. Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through. Brazil have struggled to define a clear identity in recent tournaments, raising doubts about their ability to make a legitimate World Cup run. Vinicius Junior has battled inconsistency, while Raphinha’s form has been disrupted by injuries. That places significant responsibility on Joao Pedro, who has impressed at Chelsea, but it remains uncertain whether that will be enough, or even if he’s locked into the XI.

Netherlands vs. Brazil

Main Pick – Argentina to Win @ 1/6Argentina have won all five of their recent matches and scored nine goals in three World Cup group fixtures. Cape Verde’s resilient defensive record is notable but was built against opposition that did not carry the same individual quality Argentina bring. At this price the match result offers no value in isolation, so the play is to combine it with a goals line. Emiliano Martinez is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, with the back four expected to feature Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico as full-backs alongside Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero in central defence. The midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez has functioned well throughout the group stage, and Scaloni has few, if any, selection headaches at this stage of the tournament. Five wins from five across all competitions, with ten goals scored and just one conceded in that run.

• They’ve consistently found ways to advance deep into tournaments, and that experience matters.
• 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.
• The 2026 World Cup continues with three more Round of 32 matchups on Tuesday.
• While they showed promise at UEFA EURO 2024, France enter with superior depth and balance.
• Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible.
• Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat.
• 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…
• This version of Morocco has the tools to be more proactive against France, but that can be a double-edged sword, facing Les Bleus’ phenomenal attack.
• View RotoWire’s advanced analysis across all major sportsbooks and DFS.
• Sixteen venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico will play host to the biggest-ever edition of the tournament, with the number of teams increasing from 32 and 48 and the tally of games upped from 64 to 104.
• The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals, and the four lowest-ranked nations will meet in bracket semi-finals, with the winners of the two bracket finals reaching the FIFA World Cup 26.

Colombia have not conceded in their past two matches and had the better of their goalless draw against Portugal. Nestor Lorenzo’s team look a little more battle hardened and should edge through. Canada reached the men’s World Cup last 16 for the first time after a dramatic stoppage-time victory over South Africa, marking the nation’s first knockout win at the tournament. Historically, the Netherlands have enjoyed a strong record against African opposition at the World Cup. They are unbeaten in six such matches, scoring at least twice in each of their victories.

Which teams are most likely to reach the final?

Goals Market – Over 3 Goals @ 6/5The totals line sits at 3, with over available at 6/5 and under at 4/5. Argentina scored at least three goals in each of their three group games, and Cape Verde’s forward line managed only two goals across theirs. The most likely route to over 3 is Argentina scoring freely rather than a high-scoring exchange, and Scaloni’s side have the firepower to deliver that in a knockout tie against a side with limited attacking threat.

Taremi urged FIFA to resolve the issues, saying the governing body had failed to provide the support promised before the tournament. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accused FIFA of failing to address logistical problems facing his team at the World Cup after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Egypt. They finished unbeaten on three points, second in Group H behind Spain. Colombia will become just the third South American team Portugal have faced at the World Cup, following previous meetings with Brazil and Uruguay.

Germany are given a 54.7 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes, while Paraguay’s chances stand at 23.1 percent. The remaining 22.3 percent of simulations ended level after normal time, sending the tie to extra time and possibly penalties. Brazil and Japan match up in a Round of 32 contest in the World Cup 2026 on Monday. Brazil won Group C to advance to the knockout round, while Japan were runners-up in Group F. Both squads were undefeated in the 2026 World Cup group stage, with Brazil having 7 points, while the Japanese notched 5 points. These teams last met in Oct. 2025 in which Japan won for the first time in 14 matches versus the Brazilians. The World Cup 2026 knockout stage ruthlessly separates those who have managed a passage through a group from those who can compete at the elite level over 90 minutes.

World Cup odds

These World Cup 2026 predictions combine the final group standings and results with our own group-by-group analysis, updated after every matchday. The picks weigh how each team actually performed, the strength of their group, and the bracket path ahead of them. This page is refreshed after each knockout round, so the picks always reflect the latest results. Les Éléphants have reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group E behind Germany on goal difference. Emerse Faé’s side has impressed with its energy, athleticism and attacking balance, and now has the chance to script another memorable chapter.

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.

Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup. They have only endured one previous drought of that length since first winning the tournament in 1958, between 1970 and 1994. 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.

• Historical data suggests 5 of 8 QF teams will be from Europe + South America.
• They could give Germany a run for their money in Group E and are given a 43.4% chance of reaching the last 16.
• Cape Verde’s resilient defensive record is notable but was built against opposition that did not carry the same individual quality Argentina bring.
• The Opta supercomputer makes Germany the clear favourites to progress.
• 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.
• We are calling a France vs Argentina final, with France lifting the trophy 2-1 on July 19.
• 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.
• Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top six betting favourites to take home the most prestigious international title.
• Looking beyond this match, Germany have a 78.6 percent chance of reaching the round of 16 and a 4.4 percent probability of winning the World Cup.
• Cape Verde’s three World Cup draws are a creditable return against Spain and Uruguay in particular, and their disciplined defensive structure has been central to that.
• According to the Opta supercomputer’s 25,000 pre-match simulations, the team has a 78.5 percent chance of winning.
• Elsewhere, the presence of departing Liverpool great Mohamed Salah means Egypt (0.4%) are among the biggest threats from the bottom half of our projections.
• France head the betting to win the 2026 World Cup on Sunday July 19.
• Brilliant Bernardo Silva and the livewire Rafael Leao are in Roberto Martinez’s squad too.
• A point would be enough for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K.
• With so much on the line in each and every game with players playing for pride and their nation, it means there are various different betting angles to target.
• Canada and Mexico, the other two co-hosts, are both expected to advance comfortably as well.

Senegal remain a dangerous dark horse, while Norway and Erling Haaland could disrupt https://worldcup2026sea.com/forecasts/ 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. 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. Switzerland’s experience and defensive structure should see them through comfortably, as well. Despite being co‑hosts, Canada remain difficult to trust due to inconsistency in group play, and a lack of high-end talent to get them past better teams.

Estadio Azteca is the most well-known in Mexico, but sites in Monterrey and Guadalajara will also be used. Then, in the United States, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle will be host cities. NFL stadiums have been retrofitted and rebranded to host the games due to FIFA rules, so you won’t see usual signage for places like AT&T Stadium; it will be labeled Dallas Stadium instead. Here are Paul Carr’s power rankings of all 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, separated into five distinct tiers.

This season, 51% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 52% of games. All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime. All 32 teams that qualify from the group stage play a sudden-death elimination round before the traditional Round of 16.

Whatever your predictions, the only certainty is that we’ll all be surprised by something. For the co-hosts, Canada sits lowest in the rankings at 0.47%, with Mexico up at 1.81%. The USMNT leads the way once again at 2.45%, but there are 10 teams seen as more likely winners. Spain is backed to make light work of Austria, as is England in its meeting with DR Congo. Both sides arrived at this summer’s tournament expecting to reach the later stages and the supercomputer does not predict any early obstacles.

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. Make sure you stick to your research and utilise World Cup predictions when placing bets on the biggest tournament in world football. Similarly, tactics tend to play a large role for international teams. Spain for example have always played in a similar way which involves having lots of possession, whilst Italy for example have always been well-known for being resilient defensively. On top of those nations, Brazil, Germany, and many other countries can also have a big part to play in the 2026 World Cup too in what is expected to be an enthralling tournament.

Brazil vs. Japan

Canada and Mexico, the other two co-hosts, are both expected to advance comfortably as well. No team has greater odds of reaching the round of 16 than Argentina. Standing in its way is underdog Cabo Verde, whose spirited journey is expected to come to an emphatic end in the coming days. 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. 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.

Netherlands vs. Morocco

None of the three co-hosts are favorites, but all three reached the knockouts and all three have a real story to tell. Lionel Messi made history in the group stage, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is the front-runner for the 2026 Golden Boot, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland the closest challengers.

World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Prediction, Top Scorer Race & Leaderboard

Gustavo Alfaro’s team will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Australia, while their one success this summer was a 1-0 victory over Turkey. 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. Cape Verde made the knockout stage in just 33.9% of the sims (the fourth-lowest rate of any team), with Curaçao’s chance being even lower at 18.5% (the second-lowest, only above Haiti’s 15.9%). Croatia rank just above co-hosts USA and place 15th overall in terms of potential winners with a 1.6% chance.

The Opta supercomputer is reasonably positive about the chances of the three co-host nations, suggesting all of them are likely to produce solid – albeit not necessarily spectacular – tournaments. Erling Haaland struck 16 times in just eight games, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign. We have covered the seven teams who are most likely to win the tournament, but there are also a few other potential winners. They have topped their first-round pool in every World Cup since 1982 and have a 60.4% chance of winning Group C. 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. They made it to the UEFA Nations League final – where it took a penalty shootout for Portugal to beat them – and eased through qualification, topping Türkiye to go unbeaten across six games.

Group E: Germany Clear Favorite as Ivory Coast and Ecuador Battle for Second

Turkey could be one of the surprise packages this summer, as they gear up for their first World Cup since a memorable third-place finish in 2002. Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat. They fared slightly better with our model than the other first-timers Curaçao and Jordan (both 0.04%). 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.

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. Netherlands vs Morocco – Even though the odds may be stacked against them, Morocco’s knack for upsetting elite opposition could produce the first major shock of the tournament. 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 lack of recent match practice against top-class European opponents could count against the Albiceleste, who also saw Ángel Di María retire from international football after the Copa América. 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). 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.

I personally love this matchup, with two of Africa’s strongest sides potentially meeting in the knockout round. Ivory Coast return to the World Cup after a 12‑year absence, built around a core of prime‑age players. While their physicality and attacking threat stand out, their defense is arguably their greatest strength, led by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka. That said, Senegal appear the more complete side, with greater star power likely to make the difference. This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.

• The 2022 semifinalists are through from Group C, and we are tipping them to upset the Netherlands.
• At this stage, a reasonable projection places France as a potential winner.
• Our site ensures you have the latest predictions for the World Cup 2026, including qualifiers, and encourages you to make smarter betting decisions with analytical research going into each and every projection we provide.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises a different kind of tournament – larger, more unpredictable, and more competitive.
• History is not on their side in this matchup, as Switzerland arrive with a full-strength side built on midfield physicality and an elite attacking presence in Breel Embolo and Fabian Rieder.
• 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.
• The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
• New Zealand, meanwhile, have a 47.8% hope of finding a way out of Group G. That’s another tight pool, as Belgium are favourites, but Egypt and Iran are also expected to compete.

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… 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. 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.

Before a ball has been kicked, Scotland’s likeliest result is seen as elimination in the round of 32. They made it out of their group two-thirds of the time (66.1%), and a last-16 berth is a realistic objective, as this was achieved at a rate of 24.4%. For example, Australia won the World Cup 28 times in our pre-tournament sims and Scotland prevailed on 22 occasions – so fans have permission to dream. Canada also just make it into the top half of the 48 teams (they rank joint 22nd, level with Paraguay and Austria). There are two other potentially pivotal group clashes to circle on your calendar by the time we reach MD3, as France take on Norway in Foxborough on 26 June, while Colombia battle Portugal in Miami a day later. The supercomputer expects Morocco to pose a real threat and their opener against Brazil on 13 June is perhaps the standout fixture in the first week of the tournament.

• Few nations in football history have possessed such an embarrassment of attacking riches.
• Our World Cup 2026 predictions land on France beating Argentina 2-1 in the July 19 final at New York New Jersey Stadium, a rematch of 2022.
• Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario.
• Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar.
• 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.
• Played every four years, teams battle it out for the Jules Rimet trophy and to have their name etched in history as World Cup winners.
• Our predictor lets you override any forecast and compete with friends.
• Lionel Scaloni’s men have two major tournament successes in their back pocket since then and can make easy work of this game.
• While outright victory may be a stretch, a deep run by either CONCACAF nation feels plausible.
• Brazil vs Japan – Under normal circumstances, this would be a no-brainer.
• These teams last met in Oct. 2025 in which Japan won for the first time in 14 matches versus the Brazilians.
• With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again.
• Germany are given a 54.7 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes, while Paraguay’s chances stand at 23.1 percent.
• Spain and Brazil are the strongest challengers, though Spain would have to get past Argentina in the semifinals to reach the final on July 19.
• The 2026 World Cup is the first men’s World Cup in the United States since the 1994 tournament, and it’ll be unlike any World Cup ever played.

They won’t have the same surprise factor this time around but still made it to what proved to be a chaotic AFCON final this year and started the month of June sitting a lofty eighth in the FIFA world rankings. Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Colombia and Morocco should all realistically target a long run and are dark horses to go the distance. But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States. 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.

Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns. 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.

So, yes, Haiti unbelievably won the 2026 World Cup once in our 25,000 simulations. They are more likely than not (52.0%) to get as far as the last 16 and have a healthy 24.2% chance of making the last eight. Morocco, meanwhile, are the highest-rated African team after they were superbly shock semi-finalists in Qatar. Germany are overdue a strong result, and the supercomputer gives them a decent chance of achieving that, as they were finalists in 10.6% of sims. And the 38-year-old has continued to post stunning MLS numbers for Inter Miami over recent seasons as he prepares to lead his nation.

• Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets.
• Their roster is stacked with talent from back to front, and the possibility of Ronaldo’s final World Cup only sharpens the focus.
• I would feel more confident in the U.S. going through to the semifinals in that scenario than us against someone like Spain.
• Canada reached the men’s World Cup last 16 for the first time after a dramatic stoppage-time victory over South Africa, marking the nation’s first knockout win at the tournament.
• Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket.
• Despite being co‑hosts, Canada remain difficult to trust due to inconsistency in group play, and a lack of high-end talent to get them past better teams.
• Peter Fitzpatrick is an experienced sports journalist, having worked in the industry since August 2022 following a mid-pandemic career change.
• They swept Group I, the toughest group in the draw, ahead of defending champions Argentina.
• The USMNT leads the way once again at 2.45%, but there are 10 teams seen as more likely winners.
• Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title.

Only one other nation – the outright favorites Spain – are likelier to win their pool than the reigning champions, with a favourable Group J draw pitting them against Austria, Algeria and Jordan. If a team wants to win the World Cup this summer, they will likely have to overcome a formidable obstacle in Spain. Man City midfielder Rodri is fit again and set to captain the team, while Yamal’s team-mate, striker Ferran Torres, is coming off an impressive campaign for title winners Barça. Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino were among Spain’s star performers in qualifying. La Roja have a greater than one-in-three chance (39.0%) of reaching the semis and made the final 25.6% of the time. We asked the supercomputer to simulate the 2026 World Cup 25,000 times, and it has produced some fascinating conclusions in its official pre-tournament predictions.

It is Argentina who go into the World Cup as defending champions after Lionel Messi helped to guide La Albiceleste to a famous triumph in Qatar towards the end of 2022. 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. Lionel Messi, finally crowned world champion, was named Player of the Tournament in what many consider the greatest World Cup final ever played.

Brazil, Germany, Netherlands Ready For A Supercharged Round Of 32 Slate

He’s guided Les Bleus to two consecutive finals in FIFA’s quadrennial tournament, winning it all in 2018 and coming up heartbreakingly short four years ago in a penalty-shootout loss to Argentina. These were the knockout stage predictions for TSN expert Dom Farrell. 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.

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. 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.

Brazil: 5.6%

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.

Ghana were victorious in 17.6 percent of simulations, while the draw was rated at 26.2 percent. 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. An each way bet could be the way to go with African nations that you think have a chance, with Morocco starting with odds of 100/1 or better to win the World Cup before the tournament begins. 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.

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.

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. 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 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. 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. 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.

World Cup Day 14 What to Watch: Canada, South Korea looking to advance; Brazil, Scotland meet with Group C at stake

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. France became the sixth team to win as hosts in 1998, but no side has accomplished the feat since then. Colombia were not even at the last World Cup but are a team to watch out for this time. They were Copa America runners-up on U.S. soil in 2024, only losing the final to Argentina in extra-time, and they also finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying.

I would feel more confident in the U.S. going through to the semifinals in that scenario than us against someone like Spain. From animals to colors to local cultural symbols, every team (except one) has a special moniker that’s specific to their nation. Here are the nicknames for every team that will be playing in the World Cup this month.

England are overwhelming favourites to claim all three points in New Jersey. According to the Opta supercomputer’s 25,000 pre-match simulations, the team has a 78.5 percent chance of winning. Similarly in the tournament itself, you might find that teams have already qualified for the knockout stage, or might be eliminated, which could lend itself to valuable FIFA World Cup betting opportunities if analysed correctly. Perhaps none has had more recent success on the international stage as France’s Didier Deschamps.

• 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.
• While favorites are already taking shape, the true outcome will only be decided on the pitch.
• Germany and Paraguay meet in the knockout stage having faced each other only twice before.
• 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.
• Neymar is no longer the first name on the team sheet but whatever squad the now 34-year-old is part of will still be lifted by his presence.
• Squad depth will matter more than ever, as the schedule becomes tighter and physically demanding.
• In addition to co-hosts Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar will also be vying for a top-two spot in this group, with all three nations seeking a maiden knockout appearance on the grandest international stage.
• Ivory Coast return to the World Cup after a 12‑year absence, built around a core of prime‑age players.
• Those teams round out the top 10 favourites, with Belgium next with a 1.9% probability.
• 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.
• 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.
• However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any intriguing games in the group stage.
• The picks weigh how each team actually performed, the strength of their group, and the bracket path ahead of them.

Teams can survive the group stage without being dominant, adding a new level of strategy and scoreboard-watching. Belgium vs Best 3rd place Group A/E/H/I/J – Perhaps freeing themselves from the shackles of their trophyless ‘golden generation’ is exactly what Belgium needed to unlock their full potential. Brazil vs Japan – Under normal circumstances, this would be a no-brainer. However, Brazil’s form has been far from convincing, while Japan’s ability to compete with top sides suggests this could be far more competitive than expected. 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.

In terms of pressing, I have the feeling the Atlas Lions can really trouble the Dutch. Place a max £1 bet on “Over 0.5 Goals” in the Over/Under Goals market in England vs DR Congo World Cup match on Wednesday, 1st July. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets. Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible. 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.

Our free AI tip for Belgium vs Senegal — home team wins or draw, with 89% confidence. Our AI football predictions go far beyond World Cup 2026 matches, covering more than 160 competitions worldwide. In addition to the top eight favourites, there are two other teams given at least a 2% chance of winning the World Cup – Norway (2.3%) and Colombia (2.0%). 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%.