Their roster is stacked with talent from back to front, and the possibility of Ronaldo’s final World Cup only sharpens the focus. 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. Spain’s track record in major international competitions gives them the clear edge in this scenario. They’ve consistently found ways to advance deep into tournaments, and that experience matters. 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 group stage presents all 12 groups and their 72 matches with live standings, where each group plays a single round-robin and the top two teams advance directly to the Round of 32. Once every group result is set, the knockout bracket unlocks and runs as single-elimination through the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals before the final. The 2026 World Cup is the largest event World Cup prediction markets have ever produced. With 48 teams, 104 games and hundreds of millions already traded on the winner contract alone, the scale of interest from traders is unlike anything this space has produced before. France leads a genuinely open field, the expanded format has created more tradeable markets than any prior edition and the tournament has not even started yet. The FIFA World Cup brings together national teams from across the globe, competing through qualification, group stages, and knockout rounds to determine the world champion.
The fixtures section displays upcoming World Cup matches by matchweek, including kickoff times and scheduled pairings. 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. A total of 104 matches will be played, more than ever in history. Whether you call it a prediction pool, a soccer pool, a bracket challenge or a sweepstakes — Prodefy makes it easy to create your free pool in under two minutes. It’s the best way to make every World Cup match more exciting. Argentina vs United States – The US crashed out at this juncture in the last tournament staged on their soil, and history looks set to repeat itself against the reigning champions.
The fixture has all the makings of a potential group decider between the two highest-ranked nations in the bracket, with both sides renewing acquaintances at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, meeting for the sixth time in their history. Turkey booked their place at the 2026 finals via the play-offs, finishing second behind Spain in Group E of UEFA qualifying before overcoming Kosovo in the Path C decider to secure their ticket to the global stage. 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. 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.
Jordan’s Moussa Al Tamari is a player to watch and capable of driving a surprise run. While Algeria and Austria bring veteran leadership, Al‑Tamari’s pace and creativity could tilt the balance. Belgium should control this group, but the remaining positions are harder to predict. 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.
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. 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. However, the group won’t be straightforward against an experienced Uruguay side that only allowed 12 goals in 18 CONMEBOL qualification games.
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. The simulator is built around two stages that mirror the real tournament.
That combination makes Panama a strong candidate for group-stage elimination. England and Croatia both have deep tournament experience, and Ghana can be chaotic and dangerous in exactly the right way for a World Cup group. Panama will compete hard, and they have enough quality to make games uncomfortable, but the odds still lean against them. 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’s current format sends the top two teams in each group into the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams, which means the margin for error is still very small even in an expanded tournament. Portugal enter the tournament as legitimate title contenders for good reason.
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. 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.
Football’s biggest stage returns this summer as a stacked line-up of global contenders collide in pursuit of 2026 FIFA World Cup glory. 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.
Top-ranked nations such as France, Spain, and Argentina win the simulated tournament most often, but lower-ranked teams still break through often enough to produce a different story on each run. 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. Welcome to the most complete World Cup 2026 simulator and predictor on the web. 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.
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. Lower-ranked teams still advance regularly, so no outcome is guaranteed. 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.
Against a hungry and well‑organized Netherlands side, Brazil appear vulnerable, with this matchup favoring the Dutch. 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. England’s game control and defense will be hard to beat, but scoring on bigger stages has always been iffy.
View RotoWire’s advanced analysis across all major sportsbooks and DFS. 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.
Then again, Harry Kane scored freely across Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at times playing in a deeper role than usual. Colombia remain a threat thanks to Luis Diaz playing some of the best football of his career. Congo DR and Uzbekistan are unlikely to factor heavily, making this a high‑stakes, two‑team race. I’m taking a risk on Jordan to claim a knockout place and Algeria edging out Austria in an upset as one of the top third-place teams to advance to the Round of 32. The main challenge in Group J is identifying who finishes behind Argentina, as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup campaign makes them clear favorites.
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. Whether you’re following the USMNT at home, cheering for Canada’s golden generation or tracking dark horses from Africa and Asia, there’s never been more football to predict. A World Cup prediction pool (also called a soccer pool, office pool or bracket pool) is a game where you and your friends predict the scores of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.
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. 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. Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox. 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. Green has studied the 2026 World Cup draw and locked in his best bets and predictions, including his outright winner.
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. 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.
The 24 to 48 hours before a match are typically the most active window for price movement. 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. La Roja swept all before them, winning six of their seven matches inside 90 minutes and only requiring extra-time to eliminate hosts Germany in the quarter-final. They scored 15 goals in the tournament – four more than anyone else. Sixteen venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico will play host to the biggest-ever edition of the tournament, with the number of teams increasing from 32 and 48 and the tally of games upped from 64 to 104. Mexico faces South Africa in the tournament opener, with the hosts looking to take advantage of home support and start with a confident performance.
South Africa, however, will be motivated to challenge and avoid an early setback. South Korea takes on Czech Republic in a well-balanced matchup, where discipline, organization, and taking chances could be key factors. Both teams have enough quality to make this a very close contest. Despite an underwhelming qualifying campaign, Carlo Ancelotti’s charges remain hot favourites to advance as group winners, with the Atlas Lions expected to settle for a runner-up finish. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide.
Now, Green has broken down the 2026 World Cup draw from all sides and released his picks, predictions and futures bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s 2026 World Cup picks. Jordan have earned respect by becoming one of Asia’s most improved teams, and they will not go to North America just to make up the numbers. But the jump from breakthrough side to World Cup knockout contender is huge.
The current price of a Yes share reflects the crowd’s implied probability. A share trading at 17 cents means the market collectively assigns a 17% chance to that outcome. If you have followed prediction markets at all over the past year, you know these prediction market platforms thrive around major events. World Cup prediction markets are shaping up to be the biggest trading opportunity yet.
Live scores for every match of the 2026 World Cup, in your timezone. 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. Here’s the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. Spain top the betting at 5/1, but France are arguably the better value pick (even cut from 6/1 to 5/1) — the attacking depth of Les Bleus is frightening. The Sporting News has picked out the best World Cup free bets and how to choose your betting site for the tournament depending on your favourite features.
They remain phenomenally strong, although there are plenty of questions surrounding five-time winners Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Canada meets Bosnia & Herzegovina in an intriguing clash. Canada will look to use their energy and attacking style, while Bosnia & Herzegovina will rely on experience and tactical structure. With all teams eager to begin strongly, these opening games could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Build a bracket, make your picks, or just check today’s scores. The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States (11 venues), Mexico (3 venues), and Canada (2 venues) across 16 stadiums. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
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. 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.
Kindly be advised that all odds are accurate as of the publication date and time indicated, and they may be subject to alterations. Statistical summaries highlight performance trends across World Cup, including attacking and defensive records. 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.
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. 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. 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.
The usual suspects are likely to be in the conversation at the business end of the tournament. Lionel Messi will want to make more history as holders Argentina eye consecutive World Cups to sit alongside back-to-back Copas America. There may be some doubt as to whether the Netherlands have enough quality in their squad to go the distance, but they certainly have enough experience and talent in their ranks to secure top spot in a potentially tricky group. 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.
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. Despite the promise shown by their young core, the Americans still seem a step behind the world’s true elite. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun have had moments at the club level, but that’s never been extended to the national team. Argentina, meanwhile, remain built for high-pressure knockout matches and possess an edge in composure and quality. 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.
Peter Fitzpatrick is an experienced sports journalist, having worked in the industry since August 2022 following a mid-pandemic career change. In the time since, he has worked for a wide range of well-known publications including the Evening Standard, FourFourTwo, Football365, GOAL and TNT Sports. In his current role as a freelance content producer for The Sporting News, he writes betting content mostly for football but also tennis, golf, rugby union and Formula 1. World Cup prediction markets are legal in the United States, though availability depends on the platform. CFTC-regulated platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are generally available in most states, though there are some state-level restrictions, including on specific contract types. OG.com covers all states except New York and Arizona, but some states restrict sports contracts.
To help soccer fans plan ahead, I created this interactive 2026 FIFA World Cup Bracket Predictor. You can rank every team in all 12 groups, select the eight best third-place finishers, build your complete knockout bracket, and see where each team could play throughout the tournament. The FIFA World Cup 2026 spreadsheets below are a complete collection of Excel templates designed to help football fans track match results, analyze statistics, and run prediction games with friends, family, or colleagues.
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. They still should have enough to advance as one of the best third‑place teams ahead of Haiti.
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 World Cup 2026 years since Germany played a knockout game at a World Cup. The only one other team assigned more than a one-in-10 chance of becoming world champions is England, who are out to end 60 years of hurt at major tournaments. These predictions are complicated by fact that the eight best third-place teams will also progress to the knockout rounds.
This final comes down to France’s athleticism, depth and physical dominance against Portugal’s control of possession and tempo. France have stumbled before, most notably conceding three goals in the 2022 final. With history on the line, I see France growing complacent, allowing Portugal to seize the moment with a historic 1–0 victory, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career with ultimate glory.
While they showed promise at UEFA EURO 2024, France enter with superior depth and balance. Having reached the latter stages repeatedly, this feels like an opportunity France cannot let slip, and their overall quality should see them through. Brazil have struggled to define a clear identity in recent tournaments, raising doubts about their ability to make a legitimate World Cup run. Vinicius Junior has battled inconsistency, while Raphinha’s form has been disrupted by injuries. That places significant responsibility on Joao Pedro, who has impressed at Chelsea, but it remains uncertain whether that will be enough, or even if he’s locked into the XI.
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. I’m taking Czechia and Mexico to advance, with South Korea finishing as one of the best third‑place teams behind Son Heung-Min. For full predictions on points, goals and assists, check out our 2026 World Cup Team Projections.
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. Co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico will all fancy their chances of progressing into the knockout rounds and giving fans memories to cherish. 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. Japan have built significant momentum in the lead-up to the tournament with six consecutive victories, including successes against Brazil and England. SoccerPrediction.io provides football-related statistics, analysis, and informational content for general reference purposes only.
Haaland struck 16 of those goals, matching Robert Lewandowski’s 2018 record for the most prolific UEFA World Cup qualification campaign. Lewandowski scored his tally in 10 games, two more than Haaland. In addition to the top eight favourites, there are two other teams given at least a 2% chance of winning the World Cup – Norway (2.3%) and Colombia (2.0%). Mere weeks into Jesse Marsch’s reign, Canada reached the semi-finals on their Copa América debut, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Argentina. Only a penalty shootout denied them a bronze medal, as they lost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the third-place play-off. 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.
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