World Cup 2026 Simulator & Predictor Predict Every Match

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%. Much will depend on the form and fitness of key men but, all things being equal, Spain have the edge on France right now. Argentina vs. England feels like one that will need longer than 90 minutes to settle. But one of those squads has reached these games and lost recently, the other has reached them and won. These predictions are complicated by fact that the eight best third-place teams will also progress to the knockout rounds. Who they are and where in the draw they might land is basically impossible to forecast with any certainty.

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. The World Cup simulator is completely free to use, with no signup required and no limits on how many times you can simulate the tournament.

While it’s hard to see them going the distance, especially with 5 knockout matches now, the German’s know how to win this tournament and can’t be counted out against any opponent they come across. 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. 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. Debutants Uzbekistan are seen as having a slightly better chance of impressing than the other new nations, as they have a 0.2% chance of going all the way. A more realistic aim might be getting through the groups after impressing in AFC qualification – beating out sides like Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

Cristiano Ronaldo enters what will surely be his final World Cup free to play after his ban for a red card against the Republic of Ireland was quashed. The Selecao’s depth of talent should be enough to pip Colombia to top spot. Tournament debutants Uzbekistan, playing under Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, and an inter-confederation path featuring DR Congo means a venture into the unknown for the two group favourites. 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. The fixtures section displays upcoming World Cup matches by matchweek, including kickoff times and scheduled pairings.

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

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. Brazil haven’t won the World Cup since 2002 and will hope to end that drought, while host nations USA, Mexico and Canada will all look to leave their mark. Let’s break down the 2026 World Cup winner odds and give our World Cup best bets to make.

Simply enter match scores, and the spreadsheet updates everything automatically—including group rankings and knockout pairings based on the new FIFA rules. USA, Mexico, and Canada are the host nations, while Argentina enters as the defending champion. The 2026 FIFA World Cup—the biggest football tournament in the world—will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Unlike the 2022 edition held in December, the tournament returns to the traditional summer schedule, making it even more exciting for fans worldwide. Turkey vs Best 3rd place Group B/E/F/I/J – Despite their lengthy absence from football’s biggest stage, the Crescent-Stars might return with a bang.

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

Group L: Croatia vs England Clash Tops Competitive Final Group

With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again. Use our predictor tool to select the winners of each group and each knockout round at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Jordan is making their first-ever World Cup appearance, and that alone makes them one of the tournament’s best storylines. Jordan will face Austria, Algeria, and defending champions Argentina in Group J, which is about as unforgiving as a debut group can get.

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• Their roster is stacked with talent from back to front, and the possibility of Ronaldo’s final World Cup only sharpens the focus.
• The knockout stage starts with a round of 32, meaning every prediction counts from day one.
• Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark.
• I like Japan’s technical depth to edge Sweden for second, but they can still qualify to the next round as a top third-place team, with Tunisia finishing at the bottom.
• Japan have built significant momentum in the lead-up to the tournament with six consecutive victories, including successes against Brazil and England.
• Tunisia’s unenviable record of failing to advance from the group stage in each of their six previous World Cup campaigns suggests they could struggle to keep pace with the rest of the pack.
• This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• Scotland could pose a threat with players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, but they’re still at a disadvantage against better teams.
• The expanded structure introduced a new Round of 32 knockout stage, and the simulator reflects that format exactly, including the rule that sends the eight best third-place teams into the knockout bracket.
• This change significantly alters both the group stage and the knockout bracket.
• They’ve consistently found ways to advance deep into tournaments, and that experience matters.
• Each of Spain and Argentina could find themselves pushed to the limit by Austria and Uruguay.
• Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer betting picks, including Euro qualifying (+6.30 units), EFL Cup (+4.47), FA Cup (+3.07) and Champions League (+3.05), among others.
• 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.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest edition of the tournament has ever seen, with 48 teams split into 12 groups of four.
• Hopefully, there’s plenty riding on their match that closes the group.
• 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.
• Automatic simulation fills every match using FIFA rankings and a weighted probability model, then crowns a champion.

Knockout Stage Automation:

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

World Cup Final picks

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 24 years since Brazil even appeared in a World Cup Final, much less win it. Le Selecao don’t have a Ronaldo or Ronaldinho in their lineup anymore, but they do have a very solid squad. Champions League finalist Marquinhos and Gabriel combine for a dream center-back pairing, while Raphinha and Vinicius Jr up top gives them an attacking edge.

World Cup 2026 Schedule, Scoresheet and Prediction Game Spreadsheets

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

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• La Roja have a fairly straightforward group with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and their riches in attack should see them rack up plenty of goals against their opponents.
• 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.
• This matchup delivers a final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Statistical data, team form, and recent match history are taken into account, and predictions are automatically generated by AI with an accuracy of over 71.9%.
• Teams are divided into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout bracket.
• The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.
• 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.
• While powerhouse nations like France, Argentina and Spain remain favorites, the expanded format creates more room for upsets, dark horses and unexpected runs that can completely reshape the bracket.
• Throw in guys like William Saliba and Michael Olise, among others, and it’s hard not to like this group.
• The result is a complete, shareable bracket that follows the official tournament format.

This matchup delivers a final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina enter as defending champion, but without Angel Di Maria, one of the anchors of their last run, they lack the same spark. Portugal’s depth and momentum give them the edge, and I see them pulling off the upset to reach their first World Cup final.

Does this tool use official World Cup rules?

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

Old Simpsons advertisement scene fuels FIFA World Cup 2026 prediction theory

I’m taking Czechia and Mexico to advance, with South Korea finishing as one of the best third‑place teams behind Son Heung-Min. 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. The tool is a prediction model, not a forecast of guaranteed results. It uses real FIFA rankings and a weighted probability system to produce realistic outcomes, but football results are unpredictable, and the simulator is designed to reflect that uncertainty. Opening that link reproduces the exact bracket, which allows predictions to be compared or revisited later. Whether you want to forecast the whole tournament, compete with friends, or just watch the games — we’ve got you covered.

Team Squad Worksheet

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

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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. 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. They could end up facing a Poland side they were unable to beat during qualification if the Eastern European giants progress from a UEFA playoff path featuring Ukraine, Albania and Sweden.

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

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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 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.

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

• With 16 extra teams compared to previous editions, the group stage alone will feature 72 matches — more than the entire 2022 World Cup.
• 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.
• Brazil have struggled to define a clear identity in recent tournaments, raising doubts about their ability to make a legitimate World Cup run.
• 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.
• 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.
• The sequence was created as a fictional advertisement within a satirical animated series and does not reference FIFA branding, national flags, or tournament forecasting.
• Lamine Yamal already looked a superstar then at 16 years old, and even though he’s just 18 now, it’s hard to see anyone stopping him.
• With all teams eager to begin strongly, these opening games could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
• It gives searchers one place for dates, teams to follow, prediction markets, and the analysis workflow ScorePoint AI will apply once match-level data is available.
• Pochettino has had no choice but to experiment – in November, Giovani Reyna’s return to the squad saw him become the 51st player to start a game for the USMNT in 2025.
• 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.
• Croatia vs Spain – Croatia’s remarkable tournament experience and resilience could make this a tightly contested encounter.
• 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.

The eight highest-ranked thirds advance to the Round of 32, and the bottom four are eliminated. Download our official World Cup 2026 wall chart with all 104 matches, kickoff times, host city locations, and the complete tournament schedule on a single printable poster. We offer a free premium printable World Cup 2026 bracket in both Letter and A4 formats.

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

• 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.
• This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
• And of course, there are also six teams still to be decided in March’s play-offs.
• Everyone earns points based on how accurate their predictions are, and the player with the most points wins.
• 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.
• The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format used from 1998 through 2022.
• When the tournament begins, it will have been 20 years since the Azzurri played a knockout match at the World Cup – with their most recent such game being the 2006 final.
• All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime.
• 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.
• 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.
• The host nation could then make it two wins from two against the Socceroos on matchday two, while Turkey and Paraguay are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils.
• He’s also identified a longshot team priced at over +1000 that could pull off a massive shocker and hoist the trophy.
• From there it is single elimination through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final, with a 3rd-place playoff.
• Teams can survive the group stage without being dominant, adding a new level of strategy and scoreboard-watching.

Bosnia vs. Portugal

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

• Download our official World Cup 2026 wall chart with all 104 matches, kickoff times, host city locations, and the complete tournament schedule on a single printable poster.
• It’s hard to believe that it’s been 24 years since Brazil even appeared in a World Cup Final, much less win it.
• 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.
• Use it to pick which team qualifies from each group, then click a team in any matchup to advance them to the next round.
• 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.
• In the simulator’s model, the highest-ranked nations such as France, Spain, and Argentina win most often, since match probabilities are weighted by FIFA rankings.
• He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc.
• 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.
• 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.
• South Africa, however, will be motivated to challenge and avoid an early setback.

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

Egypt progressing through CAF qualification undefeated as Belgium manage a period of transition away from their golden generation feel like relevant factors. 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. The other opener between Ecuador and Ivory Coast feels like a game where a win will be richly rewarded.

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

This is an independent fan experience and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA or any official tournament organizer. 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. Anyone who opens the link sees your World Cup 2026 predictor picks exactly as you made them.

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

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

This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site. After being right three times in a row, I have been inundated by requests over the last four years to forecast the Euros, the Olympics, the Rugby World Cup, etc. Every four years, I write a note that has many more readers than anything else I publish. It all started 12 years ago when I used an economic model to forecast the winner of the World Cup in Brazil. I thought it would become an exercise in showing the hubris of economists who think they can forecast anything with a model, even if it is effectively a random outcome. 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.

World Cup Round of 16 Predictions

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. Spain are the +450 favorite, just edging out the top-ranked nation in the world, France at +480. England (+650) round out the top three in the 2026 World Cup odds, while Brazil (+750) are the biggest soccer favorites outside of Europe. Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +900 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962.

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

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 https://world-cup-2026.us.com/ nations England and Scotland. Inspirational Croatia captain Luka Modrić is hoping to appear at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40, and no team will want to see Croatia drawn into their group from Pot 2. It remains to be seen how the introduction of a round of 32 will affect El Tri, who lost in the round of 16 at seven consecutive World Cups before suffering a group-stage exit in Qatar. Next year, it will have been 24 years since Brazil last lifted the World Cup.

Match-level coverage can expand as fixture and prediction data becomes available. 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%).