AI predicted the results of all 2026 World Cup matches
The 23rd FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with a match between Mexico and South Africa. Ahead of the tournament, artificial intelligence simulated the course of the competition and predicted the results of all World Cup matches, including the final. According to the forecast, the decisive match could end in a rematch for France, which is vying for the world championship trophy.
The match will take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium, where Pelé triumphed in 1970 and Diego Maradona in 1986.
This year’s World Cup will be unique: for the first time, the tournament will be hosted by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will also set a record for the number of participants—48 national teams instead of the 32 that competed in the 2022 World Cup.
The total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104, and the tournament itself will last 39 days.
We asked artificial intelligence to predict the results of all World Cup matches—from the opening game to the tournament final.
Group A
Matches:
Round 1: Mexico 2-0 South Africa | South Korea 1-1 Czech Republic
Round 2: Mexico 2:1 Czech Republic | South Africa 0:1 South Korea
Matchday 3: Czech Republic 2–0 South Africa | South Korea 1–1 Mexico
Standings:
Mexico — 7 points
South Korea — 5 points
Czech Republic — 4 points
South Africa — 0 points
Group B
Matches:
Round 1: Canada 1–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina | Qatar 0–2 Switzerland
Matchday 2: Switzerland 2–0 Bosnia and Herzegovina | Canada 1–1 Qatar
Round 3: Switzerland 1–1 Canada | Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–1 Qatar
Standings:
Switzerland — 7 points
Bosnia and Herzegovina — 4 points
Canada — 3 points
Qatar — 1 point
Group C
Matches:
Round 1: Brazil 3–1 Morocco | Haiti 0–0 Scotland
Matchday 2: Brazil 4–0 Haiti | Morocco 1–1 Scotland
Matchday 3: Scotland 0–2 Brazil | Morocco 2–1 Haiti
Standings:
Brazil — 9 points
Morocco — 4 points
Scotland — 2 points
Haiti — 1 point
Group D
Matches:
Round 1: USA 2–1 Paraguay | Australia 1–2 Turkey
Matchday 2: USA 1–1 Turkey | Paraguay 0–0 Australia
Matchday 3: Turkey 2–1 Paraguay | Australia 1–1 USA
Standings:
Turkey — 7 points
USA — 5 points
Australia — 2 points
Paraguay — 1 point
Group E
Matches:
Matchday 1: Germany 3–0 Curaçao | Ivory Coast 1–1 Ecuador
Matchday 2: Germany 2–1 Ivory Coast | Curaçao 0–2 Ecuador
Matchday 3: Ecuador 1–2 Germany | Curaçao 0–1 Ivory Coast
Standings:
Germany — 9 points
Ecuador — 4 points
Ivory Coast — 4 points
Curacao — 0 points
Group F
Matches:
Matchday 1: Netherlands 2–0 Tunisia | Japan 1–2 Sweden
Matchday 2: Netherlands 2–1 Japan | Tunisia 1–1 Sweden
Matchday 3: Sweden 1–1 Netherlands | Japan 1–1 Tunisia
Standings:
Netherlands — 7 points
Sweden — 5 points
Tunisia — 2 points
Japan — 1 point
Group G
Matches:
Matchday 1: Belgium 2–0 New Zealand | Egypt 1–1 Iran
Matchday 2: Belgium 3–1 Egypt | New Zealand 0–0 Iran
Matchday 3: Iran 1–2 Belgium | New Zealand 1–1 Egypt
Standings:
Belgium — 9 points
Iran — 2 points
Egypt — 2 points
New Zealand — 2 points
Group H
Matches:
Matchday 1: Spain 3–0 Cape Verde | Saudi Arabia 0–2 Uruguay
Matchday 2: Spain 2–0 Saudi Arabia | Cape Verde 0–0 Uruguay
Matchday 3: Uruguay 1–1 Spain | Saudi Arabia 1–1 Cape Verde
Standings:
Spain — 7 points
Uruguay — 5 points
Cape Verde — 2 points
Saudi Arabia — 1 point
Group I
Matches:
Matchday 1: France 2–0 Iraq | Senegal 1–1 Norway
Matchday 2: France 2–1 Senegal | Iraq 0–0 Norway
Matchday 3: Norway 1–2 France | Iraq 2–2 Senegal
Standings:
France — 9 points
Senegal — 2 points
Norway — 2 points
Iraq — 2 points
Group J
Matches:
Matchday 1: Argentina 3–0 Jordan | Algeria 1–2 Austria
Matchday 2: Argentina 2–0 Algeria | Jordan 1–1 Austria
Matchday 3: Austria 1–1 Argentina | Jordan 0–0 Algeria
Standings:
Argentina — 7 points
Austria — 5 points
Jordan — 2 points
Algeria — 1 point
Group K
Matches:
Round 1: Portugal 2–1 DR Congo | Uzbekistan 1–1 Colombia
Matchday 2: Portugal 3–0 Uzbekistan | DR Congo 1–1 Colombia
Matchday 3: Colombia 1–2 Portugal | DR Congo 0–0 Uzbekistan
Standings:
Portugal — 9 points
Colombia — 2 points
DR Congo — 2 points
Uzbekistan — 2 points
Group L
Matches:
Matchday 1: England 2–0 Panama | Croatia 2–1 Ghana
Matchday 2: England 1–1 Croatia | Panama 1–1 Ghana
Matchday 3: Ghana 0–2 England | Panama 0–3 Croatia
Standings:
Croatia — 7 points
England — 7 points
Ghana — 1 point
Panama — 1 point
Round of 16
Left bracket:
Germany — Czech Republic 2–0
France — Scotland 3–1
South Korea — Bosnia and Herzegovina 1:1 (pen. 4:3)
Netherlands — Morocco 2:1
Colombia — England 1:2
Spain – Austria 1–1 (pen. 5–4)
Turkey – Ivory Coast 2–1
Belgium – Canada 3–0
Right bracket:
Brazil – Sweden 1–1 (pen. 3–4)
Ecuador – Senegal 0–1
Mexico – Cape Verde 2–0
Croatia – Tunisia 1–1 (pen. 3–5)
Argentina — Uruguay 2:2 (pen. 4:2)
USA — Iran 1:0
Switzerland – Egypt 2–0
Portugal – Australia 3–1
Round of 16
Germany – France 1–2
South Korea – Netherlands 0–2
England – Spain 1–1 (pen. 4–5)
Turkey – Belgium 1–3
Sweden – Senegal 2–1
Mexico – Tunisia 0–1
Argentina – USA 3–1
Switzerland – Portugal 1–2
Quarterfinals
France – Netherlands 1–0
Spain – Belgium 2:2 (pen. 3:4)
Sweden – Portugal 0–2
Tunisia – Argentina 0–3
Semifinals
France – Belgium 1–1 (pen. 5–4)
Portugal – Argentina 0–1
Third-place match
Belgium — Portugal 2:1
Final
France – Argentina 2–1
Note that in the 2022 World Cup final, France lost to Argentina (3:3, 2:4).
Source: NV.
As a reminder, the World Cup is set to kick off in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
Earlier, FIFA banned a new tactical practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The Ukrainian national team confidently defeated Poland in Maldera’s first match.
Ukraine national team head coach Andrea Maldera officially outlined his strategic vision for the development of the national team under his leadership.
