We Asked AI To Predict the 2026 FIFA World Cup... Here's What Happened

The greatest sporting event of the year is almost here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer in North America will be the biggest version of the tournament ever held, with 48 nations - up from the usual 32 - battling it out across three host nations in the bid to leave MetLife Stadium as champions on July 19th. And right now, the bookies have a clear favorite in mind.

If you're someone who likes to place your bets at Bovada Sportsbook, you'll already be aware that reigning European champions Spain are the 9/2 favorites to claim a second-ever World Cup this summer. They are closely followed by England, France, and Argentina. But what does AI think?

Many tipsters regularly use AI to attempt to gather data in a bid to place more sensible bets every weekend. We have taken it up a notch, however, asking the popular new technology to predict every single game set to take place this summer. Here are the most interesting things we found.

All Three Co-Hosts Qualify for Knockout Round

Our AI predicts no real shocks in the group stage of the tournament, with precisely zero of the tournament's big boys suffering an early exit. We're already somewhat skeptical of that prediction, as there always seems to be a big name or two that suffer an embarrassing early exit. Germany has suffered group stage exits in each of the last two tournaments, while Belgium joined them on an early flight home in Qatar four years ago. If we rewind back to 2014, each of Spain, Italy, and England was sent packing after the group stage, but in 2026, our AI predicts no such disasters.

One of the biggest surprises was that Canada, a team that had never won a World Cup game before, was buoyed on by raucous home support to finish as runners-up in Group B behind UEFA playoff winner Italy and ahead of Euro 2024 semifinalists Switzerland. And the Maple Leafs weren't the only co-host thriving.

Both Mexico and the USA topped their groups. El Tri beat both Denmark (UEFA Playoff winner) and South Africa to top Group A. The Stars and Stripes, meanwhile, beat both Paraguay and Australia to top Group D ahead of Türkiye (another UEFA playoff winner).

The Quarterfinal Everyone Wants to See

If reigning champions Argentina win Group J and Portugal top Group K - our AI predicts they will - then there is a very real chance that we will get a mouthwatering quarterfinal between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two icons will be stepping onto this storied stage for a record-breaking sixth and final time this summer, and they have a very real chance of squaring off against each other at the World Cup for the first time. Our AI, as well as most prediction models looking at the group stage draw, predicts that this dream will come to fruition, with a place in the semifinals on the line.

As he has done for much of his career, the AI predicts that Messi will come out on top in Kansas City, with Argentina penciled in as 2-1 victors, with both legends getting on the scoresheet. The defeat for Portugal will almost certainly be Cristiano Ronaldo's last ever game in Portugal colors.

Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, fans will be treated to a rematch of the France vs England clash from Qatar four years ago. Les Bleus came out on top in the Arabian Gulf, courtesy of Olivier Giroud's late header, as well as Three Lions skipper Harry Kane's even later penalty miss. Our AI predicts that history will repeat itself with France coming out on top once again.

As well as that, the co-hosting USA will also bow out at this stage after a fairytale run, losing to tournament favorites Spain.

France Beat Argentina Rematch of 2022 Final

After beating England once again in the quarterfinals, France will go on to beat Brazil in the semis and set up their third straight final appearance. If our AI is to be believed, reigning champions Argentina will join them just as they did in Qatar four years ago, knocking off Spain as they look to defend their crown.

The 2022 final is considered by many to be the greatest football match ever played. When the Albiceleste led by two goals to nil with barely ten minutes left, it seemed Messi had climbed his final mountain by winning the World Cup for the first time. Then, Kylian Mbappe struck twice inside 90 seconds to force extra time. The two would each net in the additional period to ensure the game finished 3-3 and headed to a penalty shootout, where Emiliano Martinez would become the hero.

Our AI predicts that the 2026 final rematch between the two will once again head to extra time, finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, with goals from Messi and Mbappe. But unlike last time, this game will have a definitive winner, with Mbappe netting again to seal a 2-1 victory after extra time and gain French redemption for that Qatar defeat.