Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through. 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. The main challenge in Group J is identifying who finishes behind Argentina, as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign makes them clear favorites. Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run.

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. That creates a 32-team knockout round before the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match and final. 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.

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Spread across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the tournament will captivate audiences for the next six weeks, showcasing some of the sport’s greatest talents, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland. Paraguay’s squad features several familiar names, including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Diego Gómez, Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso and Sunderland defender Omar Alderete, but Miguel Almiron stands out as their key figure. Pochettino’s squad boasts quality throughout, with the likes of Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams all expected to play prominent roles, but Christian Pulisic remains the standout figure. The discussion also referenced claims that ‘Portugal ended up winning,’ alongside alleged symbolic elements such as World Cup branding colours and kit-like visual patterns. Lionel Messi has a couple of years under his belt now of playing on North American soil, which could put him and Argentina in good stead for the World Cup. The reigning champs don’t look as strong as they once were, but with Messi and Lautaro Martinez in attack and plenty of experience on the pitch, they can’t be counted out.

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

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. Much will depend on the form https://world-cup-2026.us.com/ 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. The Netherlands’ world ranking of No. 7 feels a touch too high.

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 beat Spain and Germany in the group stage last time around and have a recent friendly win over Brazil to their name. Brazil’s bid for a sixth world title begins in a mouthwatering showdown with Morocco, who reached the semifinals last time around and stormed through CAF qualifying. Scotland and Haiti are better than just making up the numbers here but are realistically playing for one of the eight best third-place spots.

The experienced midfielder will act as the glue between defence and attack, tasked with protecting the backline and keeping moves ticking over when his team is in possession. Hannibal Mjebri may catch the eye as one of Tunisia’s key attackers, but the country’s captain, Skhiri, may have a bigger say in the team’s overall performance, and not just because of his role as a leader. However, as the lowest-ranked side in the group, Tunisia may be seen as the most obvious candidate to finish bottom, especially as they have failed to make it out of the group stage in each of their six World Cup appearances. Netherlands may not be among the favourites to lift the trophy, but that will not stop them from heading to North America with hopes of going one step further their runners-up finishes of 1974, 1978 and 2010. Three-time runners-up Netherlands headline Group F, which has all the makings of being one of the most competitive groups in the tournament. Kindly be advised that all odds are accurate as of the publication date and time indicated, and they may be subject to alterations.

South Africa are not without talent, and they arrive with the kind of national excitement that can lift a squad. Even so, the group is packed with teams that know how to handle major tournaments, and the opening match against co-host Mexico will be a fierce way to begin. 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.

• On this page you can view World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions.
• That does not mean every one of them will crash out, because the 2026 World Cup format gives third-place teams a lifeline.
• This matchup delivers a final showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
• The Share button generates a URL that encodes your entire bracket.
• After a 16-year absence from the World Cup, Paraguay return to the global stage following a solid qualifying campaign, sealing automatic qualification for this year’s tournament by finishing inside the top six of the CONMEBOL standings.
• 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.
• Adjust scores, apply official tiebreaker rules, and see which teams qualify for the knockout phase in real time.
• While Algeria and Austria bring veteran leadership, Al‑Tamari’s pace and creativity could tilt the balance.
• 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.

FIFA World Cup Predictions

• All things considered, Spain are the rightful favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are worth locking in at +450 odds.
• 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.
• This contest may be decided in extra time or penalties, favoring Senegal.
• That side of the draw could open up for England if they end Mexico’s interest in their home tournament.
• My eight teams most likely to be eliminated in the group stage are Haiti, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama, Cape Verde, Qatar, and South Africa.

Ancelotti was only in charge for the final five games of their campaign, but less than eight months into his reign, he has already overseen surprise defeats to Bolivia and Japan, as well as poor draws with Ecuador and Tunisia. And after Messi finally ended his wait for a World Cup win in Qatar, Portugal are assigned a 6.6% chance of giving Ronaldo his own crowning moment. Messi has shown no signs of slowing down, helping Inter Miami reach the Major League Soccer Cup final while contributing a staggering 35 goals and providing 21 assists in MLS action this year. With a 14.1% chance, France are the supercomputer’s second favourites, just behind Spain, who beat them 5-4 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in June. Ahead of this week’s draw, we have taken a deep dive into the Opta supercomputer’s first set of World Cup predictions to assess who is most likely to lift the trophy.

USMNT snubs? Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna among notable names left off official U.S. 2026 World Cup roster

The United States will begin play on June 12 and is a World Cup 2026 co-host alongside Canada and Mexico, but it’s European nations who top the latest soccer odds to win the tournament, per FanDuel Sportsbook. The 48-team format adds a brand-new Round of 32 before the knockout stage you know from previous World Cups. After the group stage, 32 teams advance — the top 2 from each of 12 groups, plus the 8 best third-placed teams ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored, fair play score, and FIFA ranking. 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. Welcome to the most complete World Cup 2026 simulator and predictor on the web.

The placement of each team will affect whom they face in the knockout round. Want to simulate the full tournament after finishing your group predictions? Use theFull Tournament Simulator to generate a complete bracket from groups to the final. For quiniela / bolão pools that require exact scores, use the printable version and write scores next to each match. The automatic mode uses the official FIFA rankings published on April 1, 2026, converted into a team strength value. The probability that a team wins a given match scales with the gap in strength between the two sides.

• The production of Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen should be enough to see them top the group.
• 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.
• Mere weeks into Jesse Marsch’s reign, Canada reached the semi-finals on their Copa América debut, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Argentina.
• The United States have also progressed to the knockout rounds in each of their last three appearances, although their journey ended in the round of 16 on every occasion, most recently following a defeat to the Netherlands in Qatar.
• This is the kind of group where one slow performance can end your hopes quickly.
• 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.
• Match-level coverage can expand as fixture and prediction data becomes available.
• Predictions cover Final Result, Under/Over, Both Teams to Score, Correct Score, xG, Corners, and Ball Possession.
• Appearing at their first World Cup since 1998, the Tartan Army are given a 0.2% chance of lifting the trophy, level with the likes of South Africa, Australia, Iran and Tunisia.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Australia star player: Nestory Irankunda

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. Before bowing out in the group stages four years ago in Qatar, Mexico had reached the knockout phase at seven consecutive World Cups. With Javier Aguirre at the helm now, they look likely to achieve that feat again. 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. This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site. My feeling is that Haiti are the most likely team in that group to be eliminated.

What is a World Cup prediction pool?

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. The fixture also represents the first time that the two nations have faced off since they played out a 1-1 draw in a friendly in May 2002. Japan will make an eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance after collecting 23 points from 10 matches in the third phase of qualifying to finish above Australia and Saudi Arabia. Predictions are updated ahead of every round to provide clear insights for football fans following the tournament. Our goal is to deliver accurate match previews and analysis tailored specifically to World Cup competition.

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

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.

FIFA World Cup Winner Predictions: Expert Picks & Tournament Best Bets: Spain back on top

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. 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. Even at home in the 2022 World Cup, Qatar still couldn’t get a point and they’ll likely struggle to do so again.

Brazil: 5.6%

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. Fresh off a dominant qualifying cycle, England enter the tournament as one of the top favourites to take home the most prestigious international title. 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. So who will win the World Cup 2026, and which longshot could stun the soccer world? 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.

With a number of experienced star players such as Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie in the lineup, don’t be shocked if we see Team USA make it to the Round of or maybe even further. With an aging squad and lack of starpower, this is the highest Germany’s odds have been to win a World Cup in years. 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.

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. Los Guaraníes’s deepest run at the World Cup came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals, while the South American nation have also progressed beyond the group stage in four of their last five appearances. The expanded format and increased number of matches have intensified global discussion around potential finalists, contributing to the reinterpretation of older fictional content as predictive material. The claim originates from a brief scene in The Simpsons Season 9 episode ‘The Cartridge Family,’ which features a fictional television advertisement showing a Mexico vs Portugal football match. The clip has circulated widely across TikTok and other platforms, where some users present it as evidence of a predicted World Cup 2026 final. As fixtures move closer, the hub can expand with live match links, confidence-rated picks, correct score probabilities, and post-match validation so the content becomes stronger instead of being replaced.

• If Uzbekistan were drawn into a softer section, they could have made a real case for progression.
• There’s rarely much to choose between France and Germany in their heavyweight encounters but the enviable array of talent Didier Deschamps has at his disposal looks too much this time around.
• Here you’ll find match predictions, upcoming fixtures, recent results, group standings, knockout stage progress, and key statistics to help follow the World Cup tournament.
• South Africa faces the steepest challenge in this group and seems unlikely to get past their first three games.
• If Spain are to triumph, it is likely Lamine Yamal will play a key role.
• 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.
• 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.
• The expanded 2026 format means more teams advance from the group stage into the knockout bracket, making every goal crucial.
• 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.

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. Our World Cup predictions are based on detailed analysis of team form, squad depth, tactical setups, and tournament dynamics unique to international football. With limited preparation time, neutral venues, and varying styles of play, World Cup matches require a different analytical approach compared to domestic and club competitions.

Does the simulator follow the official tournament format?

Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, but suffered heartbreak and pain in 2022 as Argentina beat them on penalties. ScorePoint AI treats them as probability ranges and compares them with safer markets such as BTTS and over/under goals. So, too, did Gemini – which was the only member of our AI prediction panel that didn’t pick France outright. Cape Verde (0.1%) have qualified and are the second-smallest nation by population (after Iceland in 2018) to achieve the feat.

If Uzbekistan were drawn into a softer section, they could have made a real case for progression. Portugal bring elite pedigree, Colombia bring athletic quality and World Cup experience, and DR Congo are exactly the sort of opponent who can turn a group into a fight for every point. Uzbekistan are good enough to compete, but they are still among the most likely teams to be squeezed out. 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.

The production of Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen should be enough to see them top the group. Japan and Sweden are well organized but lack the elite experience needed to challenge the Dutch. 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. I’ll take Ivory Coast’s finishing to narrowly edge Ecuador for second, though I still expect Ecuador to advance as one of the best third‑place teams. 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.

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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. 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. 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.

When does the 2026 World Cup knockout stage start?

Sweden (in 1958) and Czechia (in 1934 and 1962) have both been World Cup finalists previously (the latter as Czechoslovakia) but could still miss the tournament, as could former European champions Denmark. 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. There will likely be an experienced feel to their squad, led by Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez, who is only eight away from Javier Hernández’s all-time Mexico goal record of 52. 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.

Ronaldo, Messi and Ochoa lead historic age-defying 2026 World Cup rosters

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

Mohamed Salah will be motivated to prove he remains world class as Egypt’s leader, though after a season full of diminishing returns and muscle injuries, it’s a tall ask. If he carries them past Iran and New Zealand, advancement is realistic. Iran and New Zealand lack the elite finishing required to truly threaten Belgium at the top. For full predictions on points, goals and assists, check out our 2026 World Cup Team Projections. Use it to pick which team qualifies from each group, then click a team in any matchup to advance them to the next round.

Paraguay star player: Miguel Almiron

Reigning champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are +900 as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962. Meanwhile, the USMNT are a +6500 longshot to win on home soil, with Mexico just behind at +7000. Before making any 2026 World Cup picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s soccer insider Martin Green has to say. Spain enter as a major tournament favorite, led by superstar Lamine Yamal.

Click any team to mark them as winner, or type exact scorelines for full control over your predictions of World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the men’s football world championship, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams and the first co-hosted by three nations. On this page you can view World Cup 2026 analysis and predictions.

World Cup 2026 Predictions & Tips

The auto-simulate feature uses FIFA rankings as of April 2026 and a weighted probability model. Higher-ranked teams are favored, but upsets happen, just like in real World Cup predictions. After a 16-year absence from the World Cup, Paraguay return to the global stage following a solid qualifying campaign, sealing automatic qualification for this year’s tournament by finishing inside the top six of the CONMEBOL standings. The conversation also referenced a fictional scene showing a Mexico vs Portugal football match, which some interpreted as a possible indication of a future World Cup final.

Like Messi, Ronaldo will appear at a record-breaking sixth edition of the World Cup, but of his eight goals in 22 games at the tournament, three have been penalties and none have come in the knockout stages. 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. So, let’s say no team that finishes third in their group is going to dust themselves down and win the whole thing. The opening game in Group G pits arguably the two finest Premier League players of the modern era against one another, with Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium taking on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. This is almost certainly the last hurrah for both men on the biggest international stage.

Brazil aim to finally get back on top

With more nations, an added knockout round, and third-place teams advancing, predicting the full tournament path is more complex, and more intriguing, than ever. The 2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams (32 in total), advance to the Round of 32. From there it is single elimination through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final, with a 3rd-place playoff. The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026, and the Final is at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife). Build and predict the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket with our free interactive bracket generator.

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

• However, Spain’s technical quality and squad depth should ultimately tip the balance in their favour.
• Smart Predict is a one-click starter that ranks every group by current FIFA World Ranking — a defendable baseline you can override on any team.
• The bracket predictor asks fans to make picks through the group stage and knockout rounds, eventually selecting a World Cup champion.
• 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.
• 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.
• Results can be chosen by hand or generated from FIFA rankings, and every complete bracket can be shared with a single link.
• After the group stage, 32 teams advance — the top 2 from each of 12 groups, plus the 8 best third-placed teams ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored, fair play score, and FIFA ranking.
• Saudi Arabia are the most winnable of the three matchups, but even that game could decide whether Cape Verde stay alive or go home early.
• Mbappé is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s mark of 57 goals for France, having netted 55 times in his 93 caps.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams in 12 groups of four.
• The opening game in Group G pits arguably the two finest Premier League players of the modern era against one another, with Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium taking on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal should not be discounted, while the three host nations will be desperate to make their mark. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday 5 December, the Opta supercomputer has produced its early predictions for this summer’s tournament in North America. FIFA’s tennis-style rankings keeping these two apart until the final can really come to pass in a dream final.

• 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.
• Croatia are another team whose best days may be behind them but can never be ruled out.
• 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.
• PHILADELPHIA – The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring a new format, a bigger field and a longer road to the final, meaning fans filling out brackets will have more picks to make than ever before.
• Like Messi, Ronaldo will appear at a record-breaking sixth edition of the World Cup, but of his eight goals in 22 games at the tournament, three have been penalties and none have come in the knockout stages.
• The experienced midfielder will act as the glue between defence and attack, tasked with protecting the backline and keeping moves ticking over when his team is in possession.
• Simply enter match scores, and the spreadsheet updates everything automatically—including group rankings and knockout pairings based on the new FIFA rules.
• Sweden (in 1958) and Czechia (in 1934 and 1962) have both been World Cup finalists previously (the latter as Czechoslovakia) but could still miss the tournament, as could former European champions Denmark.
• From there it is single elimination through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final, with a 3rd-place playoff.

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Brazil has elite talent, though their depth remains a concern following long-term injuries to Estevao and Rodrygo months before the tournament starts. I’m giving Morocco the edge to win the group due to their cohesion and leadership from Achraf Hakimi, as well as difference‑makers like Ez Abde. Scotland could pose a threat with players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, but they’re still at a disadvantage against better teams. They still should have enough to advance as one of the best third‑place teams ahead of Haiti. The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces the most dramatic format change in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams and creating a brand-new bracket structure that reshapes how every round unfolds.

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. 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. Julian Nagelsmann’s side were beaten in the quarter-finals on home soil at Euro 2024, marking the first time Germany have appeared at four major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) in a row without reaching a semi-final at any of them. 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.

Group standings update automatically with proper FIFA tiebreakers (points, goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head). Type any scoreline and the calculator instantly shows who advances, who finishes third, and how the best-third-placed teams rank across all 12 groups. This season, 48% of World Cup 2026 matches ended with over 2.5 goals, while Both Teams to Score hit in 51% of games. All completed World Cup 2026 predictions remain fully visible — review our track record anytime. With 16 extra teams compared to previous editions, the group stage alone will feature 72 matches — more than the entire 2022 World Cup. The knockout stage starts with a round of 32, meaning every prediction counts from day one.