The FIFA World Cup has been the biggest competition in the world since its first tournament in 1930. Not just the biggest competition in soccer, but arguably the greatest spectacle in all of sports. The 2022 final drew an estimated 1.42 billion viewers, and this year, a big competition turns even bigger. The USA, Canada and Mexico are preparing to host a 48-team tournament. Previous editions featured 32 teams.
Because the tournament occurs once every four years, it naturally creates some unforgettable memories. In 2014, I remember watching Tim Howard’s heroic effort in goal, and Brazil’s devastating 7-1 semi-final loss on home soil. 2018’s knockout stage brought some amazing moments, including Croatia’s Cinderella run to the final, where they were defeated by a 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé, leading France.
2022’s unusual fall tournament brought unique memories, as many games were watched in class, unbeknownst to several teachers. These in-school memories include a USA win over Iran that sent the Americans to the knockout stage. It was hard to keep quiet in the back of science class after Christian Pulisic’s heroic goal. To top it all off, the Argentina-France final stands as one of the greatest games I have ever witnessed (in any sport). Watching Lionel Messi capture his first World Cup was special.
Without further ado, here are my 2026 World Cup Predictions:
Group Stage:
The top 2 teams in each group will automatically qualify for the knockout stage. Then, the 8 best 3rd-place teams (based on points) will qualify, as well.
Group A:
Mexico will thrive on a rowdy home crowd. A Mexico-Czechia draw ultimately sends them through in the 2nd spot. South Korea advance as a 3rd-place team. This looks to be a very competitive group.
- Mexico – 7 points
- Czechia – 5 points
- South Korea – 4 points
- South Africa – 0 points
Group B:
Switzerland figures to be a step ahead of the other nations in this group. That shows in the projected standings. On the opposite end, Qatar is a step behind the other nations in this group. A draw between Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina keeps both nations at 4 points. Canada gains the 2nd position based on goal differential. B&H advance as a 3rd-place team.
- Switzerland – 9 points
- Canada – 4 points (+1)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 4 points (0)
- Qatar – 0 points
Group C:
Despite a fight from Morocco, Brazil tops this group. Both nations stay a step ahead of Scotland and Haiti. Despite this, Scotland’s win over Haiti does just enough to push them through to the knockout stage. The lowest point total of any 3rd-place team to advance.
- Brazil – 9 points
- Morocco – 6 points
- Scotland – 3 points
- Haiti – 0 points
Group D:
The most competitive group from top to bottom. These teams could finish in any order, and I would not be surprised. I predict Turkey to take down Paraguay, and Australia to take the group. The USA salvages a draw against Turkey, but another draw against Paraguay pushes them to 2nd place. Despite two draws, Paraguay does not advance.
- Turkey – 7 points
- USA – 5 points
- Paraguay – 2 points
- Australia – 1 point
Group E:
I foresee Germany winning all three matches. Although my biggest surprise so far is that Côte d’Ivoire takes 2nd over Ecuador. I have the Ivory Coast Elephants edging Ecuador on goal differential to take 2nd. Ecuador goes through to the knockout round still.
- Germany – 9 points
- Côte d’Ivoire – 4 points (+1)
- Ecuador – 4 points (0)
- Curaçao – 0 points
Group F:
Japan has a real chance of winning this group. An opening match draw against the Netherlands puts the two in an arms race. They’ll play a super entertaining brand of soccer. However, Sweden salvages a 3-3 tie against Japan that pushes them through as a 3rd place qualifier. It also pushes Japan to 2nd.
- Netherlands – 7 points
- Japan – 5 points
- Sweden – 4 points
- Tunisia – 0 points
Group G:
Belgium’s “Golden Generation” is fading. Although I still think they win all three of their matches, despite a fight by Egypt. The Egyptians take 2nd based on a tiebreaker over Iran. Iran will play super hard, and it will show in a draw against Egypt that pushes them through as a 3rd place qualifier. New Zealand is a great story, but I think they struggle to do much of anything.
- Belgium – 9 points
- Egypt – 4 points (+1)
- Iran – 4 points (-2)
- New Zealand – 0 points
Group H:
A massive gap is apparent between Spain + Uruguay and Saudi Arabia + Cabo Verde. Spain takes down Uruguay to win the group, but Uruguay wins the remaining matches. With 1 point apiece, neither Saudi Arabia nor Cabo Verde qualifies as a 3rd place team.
- Spain – 9 points
- Uruguay – 6 points
- Saudi Arabia – 1 point
- Cabo Verde – 1 point
Group I:
Labeled the “group of death,” this group will be pretty entertaining. France, Senegal and Norway are solid squads that can realistically all contend for this group. For Iraq, it would take a miracle. Senegal battles France to a draw, and Norway battles Senegal to a draw. But all teams beat Iraq. Erling Haaland’s (Norway) World Cup debut may be a spectacle. He does enough to send them through as a 3rd place qualifier.
- France – 7 points
- Senegal – 5 points
- Norway – 4 points
- Iraq – 0 points
Group J:
Despite some close matches early, Messi leads Argentina to win the group. Behind them, Austria and Algeria battle for 2nd. I predict Austria taking this thanks to a draw vs Argentina. Algeria qualify in 3rd place. Jordan struggles to find much of anything in their World Cup debut.
- Argentina – 7 points
- Austria – 5 points
- Algeria – 4 points
- Jordan – 0 points
Group K:
Similar to group H, two squads in this group are stronger than the other half. Strong Portuguese and Colombian rosters top the group. DR Congo and Uzbekistan split the point in their 3rd match, and neither qualify.
- Portugal – 9 points
- Colombia – 6 points
- DR Congo – 1 point
- Uzbekistan – 1 point
Group L:
I predict England and Croatia to draw their 1st match. Beyond that, both teams beat Ghana and Panama. England takes the group based on goal differential. Neither Ghana nor Panama qualifies as a 3rd place team.
- England – 7 points (+5)
- Croatia – 7 points (+3)
- Ghana – 1 point
- Panama – 1 point
Knockout Stage:
Round of 32:
Germany vs Scotland: Germany wins 3-0
France vs Sweden: France wins 3-1
Czechia vs Canada: Czechia wins 2-2 (4-3 in PKs)
Netherlands vs Morocco: Netherlands win 2-1
Colombia vs Croatia: Columbia wins 1-1 (5-4 in PKs)
Spain vs Austria: Spain wins 2-0
Turkey vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Turkey wins 2-0
Belgium vs S. Korea: Belgium wins 3-1
Brazil vs Japan: Brazil wins 3-2 (e.t.)
Côte d’Ivoire vs Senegal: Senegal win 2-0
Mexico vs Ecuador: Mexico wins 1-1 (4-3 in PKs)
England vs Algeria: England wins 3-1
Argentina vs Uruguay: Argentina wins 3-1
USA vs Egypt: Egypt wins 2-1 (e.t.) *
I know, it stinks. But the USA hasn’t given me a whole lot recently to make me believe they can win a game in this high-pressure spot. Hopefully, I am proven wrong, as this would be a severe letdown.
Switzerland vs Iran: Switzerland wins 1-0
Portugal vs Norway: Portugal wins 2-1 (e.t.)
Round of 16:
Germany vs France: France wins 2-1 (e.t.) *
What a game for round 2! It stinks that one of these squads has to exit this early. I have France taking this one in extra time.
Czechia vs Netherlands: Netherlands wins 2-1 (e.t.)
Spain vs Colombia: Spain wins 2-0
Turkey vs Belgium: Belgium wins 1-0
Brazil vs Senegal: Brazil wins 3-2
Mexico vs England: Mexico wins 1-1 (3-2 in PKs)*
This is not a typo! Maybe it’s crazy, but EVERY tournament has some crazy moments. Morocco made the semi-finals in 2022, and Croatia made the finals in 2018. Along the way, these squads knocked off some great competition. I predict Mexico will do the same here. With their die-hard fans creating an intense environment, I think England could underachieve yet again!
Argentina vs Egypt: Argentina wins 4-0
Switzerland vs Portugal: Portugal wins 2-0
Quarterfinals:
France vs Netherlands: France wins 3-1
Spain vs Belgium: Spain wins 2-1
Brazil vs Mexico: Brazil wins 3-1*
The road ends here for a memorable Mexico run. Maybe they will give Brazil a fight in Miami, but ultimately, Brazil is too poised to drop this one like England.
Argentina vs Portugal: Portugal wins 2-2 (5-4 in PKs)*
Would this be the most-watched sporting event of all time? It is certainly possible. Messi vs Ronaldo, for possibly one last time. The two have never faced off in a World Cup. This game would take place in Kansas City, and everyone in the sports world would be watching. I have Portugal winning an all-time classic in PKs. Putting Ronaldo one step closer to his first World Cup.
Semifinals:
France vs Spain: France wins 3-3 (6-5 in PKs)*
Another instant classic! France finds itself in an oddly familiar situation to the 2022 World Cup Final. However, this time, they come out on top in PKs. France heads to their third straight final appearance.
Portugal vs Brazil: Portugal wins 1-0*
A defensive battle. Portugal comes out on top. They head to their first World Cup Final.
3rd Place:
Brazil vs Spain: Spain wins 2-1
Final:
France vs Portugal:
The moment we’ve all been waiting for! New York City is packed for the final as Mbappé takes on Ronaldo. Mbappé looks for his 2nd World Cup before 30, while Ronaldo looks for his first World Cup Trophy to cap off his illustrious career.
Who wins?
France takes down Portugal 2-1 in extra time. An Mbappé goal brings the trophy back to France!
