World Cup 2026 Predictions Expert Tips, Groups & Match Analysis

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. The draw was rated at 13.3 percent, leaving Jordan – who have already been eliminated from the 2026 tournament – with just an 8.8 percent chance of pulling off a famous upset and claiming their first-ever World Cup win. 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.

As for Paraguay, Diego Gomez will miss the match through suspension, having picked up a second yellow card of the tournament against Australia last time out. The White and Reds picked up four points from their three Group D matches to finish third, only behind second-placed Australia on goal difference. Die Mannschaft actually locked horns with Paraguay in the last-16 stage of the 2002 World Cup, recording a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late effort from Oliver Neuville. Germany are four-time world champions, but they were knocked out in the group stage of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. DFB-Team were not mentioned as one of the serious challengers for the trophy pre-tournament, and they are still regarded as outsiders at this stage, especially as France could be waiting in the last-16 stage of the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Predictions: Who Are the Favourites?

The 48-team format’s wider R32 bracket creates more upset opportunities than the 32-team era. The dramatic elimination sparked emotional reactions across Iran. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei described the team’s misfortune as extraordinary after Iran became the first side at the tournament to have three goals ruled out by VAR.

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.

Internationals

Lewandowski scored his tally in 10 games, two more than Haaland. Canada are deemed the least likely of the 2026 fifa world cup predictions host nations to go all the way, winning the tournament in just 0.4% of our simulations, though they are only a year removed from a historic tournament run. Their route to this World Cup was not completely smooth, either, as they were left needing victory over Slovakia in their final Group A game to avoid the play-offs. But they won that match by a statement 6-0 scoreline, with Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané among the goals.

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.

• Dive deeper into the tournament with our guides, analysis, and complete team profiles.
• These four all reached the knockouts and have the profile to go further.
• With Messi complemented by two high-profile strikers still in their prime, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez, Argentina should not be short of goals.
• Germany are the supercomputer’s fifth favourites with a 7.1% chance of winning a record-equalling fifth World Cup.
• Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), while Norway are flying having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with 37 goals – the most of any team.
• Maradona in 1986 (30 shots, 19 open-play chances created, 53 fouls won).
• Ronald Koeman’s team have scored 10 times at the 2026 World Cup and have emerged as a side to watch when it comes to a potential challenge for the trophy.
• Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández give them genuine quality even without Messi at his peak.
• With the FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams in total, this is how teams from each continent qualify for the Finals.
• All eyes will be on Estadio BBVA when the Netherlands and Morocco face each other in a highly-anticipated World Cup showdown.

Modrić won the Golden Ball at the 2018 tournament, where Croatia was runner-up to France, and he led the team to a third-place finish in 2022. Here are Paul Carr’s power rankings of all 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, separated into five distinct tiers. 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. 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.

Norway vs. Ivory Coast: Norway to win (3-way money line)

Our World Cup betting insights are based on extensive historical data, team form leading into the tournament, and performance trends from recent editions, providing a reliable foundation for informed betting strategies. There will be fireworks when Algeria and Austria face each other in a crucial World Cup Group J showdown, with both sides knowing that a point could be enough to help them achieve their knockout-stage ambitions. 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 …

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. 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. Three teams earn qualification for the FIFA World Cup, and two will bank their spots in the play-off tournament, with Canada, Mexico and the USA automatically entering due to being hosts. Six places are up for grabs for CONMEBOL teams, and it is a single-league format that simply decides which top six teams advance to the FIFA World Cup Finals. The team in seventh earns a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

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. 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.

All 48 Teams

• 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.
• Nine sides emerged from the AFC’s Asian qualification, while New Zealand are the sole representatives for the OFC region and the lowest-ranked team to reach the finals.
• 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 …
• Before making any 2026 World Cup picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
• 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.
• The recent form and questions on formation under Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. raises concern, while Turkiye’s balance and presence of Hakan Calhanoglu give them the slight edge to win the group.
• On 5 December, allowing fans of all nations to start plotting their routes to a possible coronation at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
• They have only endured one previous drought of that length since first winning the tournament in 1958, between 1970 and 1994.
• 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.
• Netherlands topped Group F with seven points to breeze into the round of 32, while Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil, also claiming seven points from three games.

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. A host nation with its collective tail up and bleary-eyed fans enduring a 1 a.m. Kickoff back in the UK feels like textbook ingredients for another English tale of World Cup woe. Egypt, Mohamed Salah and all, should have more than enough to do the job here.

France vs. Spain

• 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.
• This group appears straightforward, with Brazil and Morocco standing out as the strongest sides.
• From animals to colors to local cultural symbols, every team (except one) has a special moniker that’s specific to their nation.
• The latest Brazil vs. Japan odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Brazil at -135 (risk $135 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Japan at +410 and a draw at +260.
• Last time out in 2022, Holland reached the quarter-finals, and a win over Morocco would see them secure a spot in the round of 16 against South Africa and Canada, opening up a route into the final eight of the tournament.
• But Mexico are given only a 1.0% chance of victory, putting them behind fellow co-hosts United States, Japan and Ecuador, and level with Senegal.
• Messi is in record-breaking form, and Argentina’s path to the final avoids most of the other heavyweights until the semifinals.
• The FIFA World Cup is one of the most highly-anticipated football events and commands enormous betting interest from players.
• Only a penalty shootout denied them a bronze medal, as they lost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the third-place play-off.
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• The White and Reds picked up four points from their three Group D matches to finish third, only behind second-placed Australia on goal difference.
• Below are all of the confirmed matches for the Round of 32, with the schedule for when they are played and a prediction on each game.
• Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

All eyes, though, will be on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who joins Ronaldo and Messi as one of the most searched players in the world. 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.

Daily World Cup schedule (group stage)

Germany are the supercomputer’s fifth favourites with a 7.1% chance of winning a record-equalling fifth 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. 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.

One World Cup player to watch from each of the five favourite teams

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.

World Cup Golden Boot Odds: Full Player List

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. These include betting offers, free bets, and casino promotions as well as other affiliate commissions —all subject to change and individual terms and conditions. This site provides historical and current football data for informational purposes only.

Messi extends his World Cup legacy while Ronaldo faces defining moment

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…

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. They must get past Northern Ireland and potentially Wales to make it, with both of those sides hoping to join fellow home nations England and Scotland. Inspirational Croatia captain Luka Modrić is hoping to appear at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, and no team will want to see Croatia drawn into their group from Pot 2. That previous dry spell ended, of course, in the United States, and Brazil are assigned a 5.6% chance of another stateside triumph.

Mexico vs. Ecuador: Mexico (tie no bet)

Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible. Morocco, meanwhile, picked up seven points from their three games in Group C to finish second, only behind Brazil on goal difference. 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.

• 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.
• If you’re looking for a simple way to watch the World Cup in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, Xfinity makes it easy to follow the World Cup and stay connected to global soccer year‑round.
• 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.
• The Netherlands produced a series of convincing displays in Group F, defeating both Sweden and Tunisia while sharing the spoils with Japan…
• Before locking in your 2026 World Cup picks and other World Cup bets on betting sites like FanDuel, be sure to check out top picks from the team of experts at SportsLine.
• 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.
• We’ve added a new chart to show you the method of advancement (regulation, extra time, penalties) just to cover all our bases.
• Their Euro 2024 triumph came the day after Yamal’s 17th birthday, as he replaced Pelé (1958, 17 years, 249 days) as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final.
• 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.
• With 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, there’s more disparity across the four-team groups than we’re typically used to.

But, of course, that previous World Cup dry spell ended with victory in a tournament hosted by the United States. Five-time winners 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. 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.

Are France really the favorites?

Jamiro Monteiro and Garry Rodrigues add craft in midfield, and manager Aguas is expected to name a similar side to the one that earned three draws through the group phase. 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.

World Cup: What to expect as USMNT faces Türkiye with nothing at stake in final group stage match

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. Argentina’s World Cup 2026 campaign has been a demonstration of controlled authority. Lionel Scaloni’s side posted three wins from three in group play, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1, and Messi has been in remarkable form at 39 years old, driving his side through the group phase with six goals.

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. His England reign took some time to get going, as England laboured past Albania (3-0), Latvia (2-0), Andorra (1-0 and 2-0) and were beaten 3-1 by Senegal in a June friendly.

A true David vs Goliath clash awaits as already-eliminated Jordan take on tournament favourites Argentina in their final Group J fixture, with 0-3 our predicted outcome. While Jordan are playing only for pride, Argentina will be looking to maintain their perfect record and head into the knockout stages with maximum confidence. Arrowhead Stadium will host a compelling World Cup last-32 clash between Colombia and Ghana, with both sides arriving after contrasting group-stage performances. Los Cafeteros come into the knockout stage unbeaten in their last group games, beating Uzbekistan and DR Congo while drawing 0-0 with Portugal, a match in which they produced 24 shots on goal.

The first 48–team field in World Cup history has been filed down to 32 for the knockout stages. The defending champions won Group J with a perfect record and drew the kinder half of the bracket. Messi is in record-breaking form, and Argentina’s path to the final avoids most of the other heavyweights until the semifinals.

Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest. Spain enter as a major tournament favorite, led by superstar Lamine Yamal. 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.

Alexi Lalas’ 2026 FIFA World Cup Bracket Prediction

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• Nathaniel Brown was not involved against Ecuador last time out due to a muscular problem, but the left-back is expected to be cleared to feature from the first whistle here.
• 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.
• Yet there remains a nagging doubt over whether the France manager can truly maximise what he has at his disposal.
• This involves two teams from CONCACAF and one team from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC.
• Scorer Market – Lautaro Martinez to Score AnytimeLautaro Martinez has scored once in the tournament and registered five goals across Argentina’s last five matches in all competitions.
• Canada finished second behind Switzerland and chase a first men’s World Cup knockout win against South Africa in the opening tie.
• 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.
• With the World Soccer Ticket, fans get access to top leagues, live TV, and streaming — all in one place — so you never miss the action.
• The last time France were in the same group with Senegal, it didn’t end well.
• England’s talent makes them a serious contender, but I’m backing Croatia to finish first based on their recent World Cup success under Luka Modric.

Led by Carlo Ancelotti, who gets over the line in knockout games by placing importance on defensive shape but allowing individual quality to shine through. The Opta supercomputer gives DR Congo the edge, with the Leopards winning 48.9 percent of its 25,000 pre-match simulations. 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.

World Cup groups, teams and rosters

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. The top two in each advanced automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. 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.

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. 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.

With the home crowd firmly behind them, El Tri will be eager to extend their perfect run. Australia and Egypt take on each other at AT&T Stadium in a tightly balanced last-32 clash, with 1-1 our predicted outcome. Australia progressed from the group stage thanks to a disciplined 0-0 draw with Paraguay, where they limited their opponents to just 0.30 expected goals against (xGA). Their identity has been built on structure and defensive organisation, with 1.1 goals…

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• 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.
• BMO Field will be packed when Portugal and Croatia go head to head in the World Cup last 32.
• He’s backing Norway to win behind star striker Erling Haaland and also has France winning comfortably against a European rival.
• 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.
• Arrowhead Stadium will host a compelling World Cup last-32 clash between Colombia and Ghana, with both sides arriving after contrasting group-stage performances.
• Brazil has elite talent, though their depth remains a concern following long-term injuries to Estevao and Rodrygo months before the tournament starts.
• England secured top spot in Group L with victories over Panama and Croatia, while sharing the spoils with Ghana.
• All three teams have a chance greater than 5% of winning the tournament, and of at least 10% to reach the final.
• With the Round of 32 underway and this 48-team field wide open, we will update these picks after every round.
• Morocco asked plenty of questions of Brazil during their first game and Japan can present a similar sort of technically proficient, front-footed challenge.

But time and again, they flatter to deceive on this stage, and the sight of them hanging on against Iran should give Australia plenty of encouragement. A battle of the veterans as Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, both into their fifth decade, face off for the last time on the big stage. Mexico at the Azteca, backed by a raucous home crowd, has become appointment viewing at this World Cup.

Elo ratings + XGBoost trained on 50,000+ international matches. The 2026 World Cup will be the broadest, most competitive, and most logistically complex tournament ever staged. Picking a winner is harder than it has ever been, and that’s precisely what makes the build-up so compelling. Whatever your predictions, the only certainty is that we’ll all be surprised by something. Spain is backed to make light work of Austria, as is England in its meeting with DR Congo.

Netherlands have reached the most World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy (three), while Norway are flying having steamrolled their way through the UEFA qualifiers with 37 goals – the most of any team. Coming closest to Spain in the pre-tournament predictions are France (13.0%), who have contested the last two finals, long-suffering England (11.2%) and defending champions Argentina (10.4%). Among La Liga players, only Kylian Mbappé (48) had more goal involvements in all competitions this season than the winger’s 41 (24 goals and 17 assists). Teams will battle it out to emerge from 12 different groups and reach a knockout stage that now features a round of 32 – a new addition at international football’s showpiece event. France are the big favourites to win the World Cup ahead of Argentina, with Spain and England the only others given a greater than 10% chance at current odds. Brazil come next after beating Japan and Portugal are just outside the top five, while Mexico and Morocco are the big market movers at 28/1.

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. Morocco have never won the World Cup, but they did reach the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament, which represented their best-ever run in the competition. Of the teams in the bottom quarter of our projections, there are a few standout nations who the system thinks could spring a surprise.

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. 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.

Since Spain’s victory in South Africa, La Roja have not made it past the round of 16, exiting at that stage in the last two editions. The likes of Vinicius Jr and Raphinha will be looking forward to leaving a mark on a World Cup in a way they haven’t before. 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. The trend continues a shift away from the traditional black-and-white football boot, following the colourful designs that first gained popularity at the 1998 World Cup.

The Opta supercomputer makes Brazil the favourites to reach the next round. Brazil have dominated this fixture over the years, winning 11 of their 14 previous meetings with Japan and losing only once. If you’re looking for a simple way to watch the World Cup in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, Xfinity makes it easy to follow the World Cup and stay connected to global soccer year‑round. With the World Soccer Ticket, fans get access to top leagues, live TV, and streaming — all in one place — so you never miss the action. This promises to be one of the most evenly matched ties of the Round of 32. Ivory Coast has the physicality and midfield quality to frustrate Norway, but the Scandinavian side’s clinical finishing and attacking firepower could ultimately prove decisive.

How far will the host nations get?

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. 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.

Three of those victories came in competitive World Cup fixtures against varied opposition, and the only goal shipped was against Jordan in a dead-rubber group finale. Argentina are in clinical form and showing no signs of complacency heading into the knockout rounds. A complete Python pipeline for predicting match outcomes, generatingexpected goals, and running Monte Carlo tournament simulations.Built for YouTube creators who want AI-powered soccer analysis.

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. 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.

• They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else.
• Portugal, who arrive in the US, Canada and Mexico ranked fifth in the world and fourth favourites for the tournament, are in a favourable-looking Group K alongside the likes of Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
• 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%.
• 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.
• 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.
• Meanwhile, European soccer insider Martin Green has also revealed picks for Ivory Coast vs. Norway and Sweden vs. France.
• 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.
• Norway have nothing to lose and can hurt Brazil, but they have a defence that Vinicius and company can exploit enough times to progress.
• 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.
• At age 40, Croatia’s Luka Modrić will be back for a fifth World Cup, assuming he recovers from cheekbone surgery in time.
• Mere weeks into Jesse Marsch’s reign, Canada reached the semi-finals on their Copa América debut, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Argentina.
• 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.
• Portugal will likely have one last dance with a slightly older Cristiano Ronaldo.
• The Brazilians are priced at -300 to advance to the next round, with the Japanese at +235.

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. He could become only the third manager to win both the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup, after Marcello Lippi (Juventus, Italy) and Del Bosque (Real Madrid, Spain).

• 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.
• The Round of 32 began on June 28, 2026 and runs through July 3.
• Haaland has led from the front, while Ødegaard continues to dictate play from midfield.
• Still, they should not be overlooked, as Takefusa Kubo’s creativity and their speed on the counter could make this a difficult contest.
• The remaining 23.0 percent of simulations ended level after 90 minutes, meaning the tie would be decided in extra time or a penalty shootout.
• 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.
• Five wins from five across all competitions, with ten goals scored and just one conceded in that run.
• FIFA Annex C determines R32 pairings based on which groups the third-placed teams come from.
• 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.

The recent form and questions on formation under Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. raises concern, while Turkiye’s balance and presence of Hakan Calhanoglu give them the slight edge to win the group. Australia and Paraguay are organized enough to earn draws but remain long shots to advance ahead of the two favorites. Bosnia enter confidently after knocking out Italy and looks talented enough to win this group as long as Edin Dzeko can stay on the pitch at 40 years old. The Bosnian legend didn’t miss a minute in the playoffs against Wales and Italy despite injuring his shoulder. Switzerland’s experience and defensive structure should see them through comfortably, as well.

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. 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. 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. Our free AI tip for Belgium vs Senegal — home team wins or draw, with 89% confidence.

• Germany are given a 54.7 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes, while Paraguay’s chances stand at 23.1 percent.
• 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.
• But it remains to be seen whether 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will earn a historic call-up.
• This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo.
• That is where Tuchel excels and it could prove to be the difference maker for the Three Lions.
• Ancelotti is armed with attacking talent, having opted to select record goalscorer Neymar in addition to stars like Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.
• The draw was rated at 13.3 percent, leaving Jordan – who have already been eliminated from the 2026 tournament – with just an 8.8 percent chance of pulling off a famous upset and claiming their first-ever World Cup win.
• All eyes will be on Estadio BBVA when the Netherlands and Morocco face each other in a highly-anticipated World Cup showdown.
• With Messi complemented by two high-profile strikers still in their prime, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Alvarez, Argentina should not be short of goals.

Here’s the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. It will be Mexico next in the Azteca if England beat DR Congo, while France are shorter than 2/1 to win the tournament with many UK bookmakers after crushing Sweden. 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.

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. As Spain faced no difficulties in the group stages, we predict a routine 2-0 home win. La Roja cruised through the group stage without conceding a single goal, underlining their status as genuine title contenders. World Cup 2026 Outright – Argentina @ 4/1Argentina sit second in the World Cup 2026 outright winner market at 4/1.