World Cup 2026 Full Predictions

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GROUP A – Mexico, Czechia, South Korea, South Africa

Most average group of the tournament, should mean one of the host nations, Mexico gets the job done, with Czechia finishing second with a solid side. South Korea don't have the depth on paper to nick a spot in the knockouts, with South Africa will all of it to do in this group.

GROUP B – Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar

An interesting group should see a 3-way race for the knockouts. Qatar hosted the last tournament and performed poorly so there's no indication they'll fare any better this time around. Switzerland have a strong side and should finish top with Bosnia and Herzegovina's experienced players outweighing Canadian home advantage to secure second spot.

Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Awesome group this one, Brazil and Morocco have superior squads and should compete for top spot, with potential dark horse Scotland to put in respectable shifts and could shape up for a dark horses World Cup run in the knockouts. Haiti have been dealt a tough card in this tournament, but the fact they qualified is impressive enough so any result is a bonus.

Group D – Turkiye, USA, Australia, Paraguay

Another spicy group with Turkiye the clear favourites despite reports indicating the USA a favourites. Second and third place are up for grabs for whoever performs best with the USA, Australia, and Paraguay all capable sides. I see the USA unfortunately pipping Australia for second spot.

Group E – Germany, Côte d'Ivorie, Ecuador, Curacao

Solid group this one, with Germany and Côte d'Ivorie having very good sides. Ecuador defensively have one of the best backlines at the World Cup and if they can fire up front they can produce some shocks in this tournament. Shades of Haiti's situation for Curacao I'm afraid.

Group F – Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Another excellent group, all spots up for grabs. The Netherlands have a great starting team, I suspect their depth let's them down later in the tournament. Japan look poised for a great tournament and play fantastic football, with Sweden's firepower up front putting them in third.

Group G – Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand

Belgium have long underperformed at major tournaments but they have no excuses with this group. I'd love a New Zealand World Cup run but that's hard to invision looking at their squad. Egypt much the same, they don't have as good of a squad as Iran, who are an underrated side capable of springing an upset.

Group H – Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

Spain and Uruguay have to top this group despite Saudi Arabia beating the eventual winners Argentina in the last World Cup. They are far too strong not to perform. Cape Verde have their work cut out.

Group I – France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq

Tough group this one, France's B team is stronger than most other teams so they should be winning this group. Norway have funnily been acclimating to the warm weather pre-tournament. Second place is up for grabs as Senegal has a very strong side also. Iraq drew 1-1 with Spain just a few days ago, but it's hard to see them any other place other than fourth in this group.

Group J – Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Argentina who many predict flop in this tournament, still should top this group. Jordan is clearly the weakest side and will struggle to win a game. Austria and Algeria will battle for second place. I believe Austria has a more well-rounded team and won't rely as much on specific players like Algeria likely will.

Group K – Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan

Portugal are certainly one of the favourites at this tournament, especially looking at their midfield, which is the strongest of any side going into the World Cup. Colombia should place second with DR Congo and Uzbekistan battling for third place, I wouldn't be surprised if either of those teams make the 8 sides progressing to the round of 32.

Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Double-agent Tuchel has made some eyebrow raising selections but this England side should top this group. Croatia and Ghana both have strong sides and will look to grab second place. Panama will struggle to win a game.

8 Best 3rd Placed Teams: South Korea, Scotland, Australia, Ecuador, Sweden, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana

Round of 32

Germany v Australia - Germany wins, far to strong for Australia

France v Sweden - France wins, France should smash Sweden

Czechia v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina wins, close game on paper, I think Bosnia and Herzegovina edge this game

Netherlands v Morocco - Netherlands wins, super tough game to call, the Netherlands starting side is good enough to knock out one of the strongest squads in Morocco

Brazil v Japan - Japan wins, upset of the tournament, Japans strength on the wings exposes the lack of quality in the Brazil fullbacks

Côte d'Ivorie v Norway - Côte d'Ivorie wins, tough game that could go either way, Norway's best players don't handle the heat and Côte d'Ivorie edges them in a close game

Mexico v Scotland - Scotland wins, the top of the table facade comes to an end against a third placed Scotland team who hit great form to knock out the hosts

England v Senegal - England wins, close game, Pickford heroics and Kane goals devastate Senegal as England wins a close one

Colombia v Croatia - Colombia wins, another close game, with South American flair flourishing to knock out Croatia early in this tournament

Spain v Austria - Spain wins, too much quality on this Spain team, they should comfortably beat Austria

Turkiye v Ecuador - Turkiye wins, real attack v defence showing with attack winning this one

Belgium v South Korea - Belgium wins, too strong for South Korea on paper, Belgium should win this one

Argentina v Uruguay - Uruguay wins, another shock of the tournament in a derby of sorts, Uruguay stun the holders knocking them out shockingly

USA v Iran - Iran wins, this would be absolutely hilarious please make it happen Iran I want USA fans crashing out

Switzerland v Algeria - Switzerland wins, tight game with the experience of many of Switzerlands stars prevailing

Portugal v Ghana - Portugal wins, too much quality here for Portugal not to win

Round of 16

Germany v France - France wins, too strong for Germany

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Netherlands - Netherlands wins, too strong for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Japan v Côte d'Ivorie - Japan wins, Japans dream run continues

Scotland v England - Scotland wins, one of the shocks of the tournament as Scotland stun their rivals

Colombia v Spain - Spain wins, too strong for Colombia

Turkiye v Belgium - Turkiye wins, Belgium fail at a major tournament to an exciting Turkiye side

Uruguay v Iran - Uruguay wins, Uruguay too strong and fired up after knocking out Argentina

Switzerland v Portugal - Portugal wins, Portugal too strong

Quarter Finals

France v Netherlands - France wins, France too strong

Spain v Turkiye - Spain wins, close one that could go either way, Spain have the better depth at this stage of the tournament

Japan v Scotland - Japan wins, battle of the dark horses and Japan break Scotland hearts

Uruguay v Portugal - Portugal wins, Uruguays run comes to an end against a top Portugal side

Semi Finals

France v Spain - France wins, France still looks to strong

Japan v Portugal - Portugal wins, Japan's run comes to an end

Final

France v Portugal - France wins, the strongest side wins, denying Ronaldo a famous victory

Third Place

Japan v Spain - Spain wins, Spain wins third, Japan wins respect

Predictions Summary

Winner - France

Runners up - Portugal

Third Place - Spain

Dark Horse Teams - Japan, Scotland, Uruguay

Underperformers - Argentina

Top Goalscorer - Kylian Mbappe (France)

Top Assister - Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

Most Clean Sheets - Diogo Costa (Portugal)

Breakout Stars of the Tournament - Antonio Nusa (Norway), Ismael Saibari (Morocco), Nestory Irankunda (Australia), Julio Enciso (Paraguay), Kenan Yildiz (Turkiye), Yan Diomande (Côte d'Ivorie), Joel Ordonez (Ecuador), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Rodrigo Zalazar (Uruguay)