With the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially underway, a range of predictions from sports journalists have been published alongside live match coverage of the tournament's opening game. The competition, which features an expanded 48-team format, is being co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tournament Format and Opening Match
The expanded tournament includes 48 teams competing in a group stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout rounds, resulting in a total of 104 matches.
The opening match, played at Estadio Azteca, saw Mexico face South Africa. Mexico's Julian Quinones scored in the 9th minute following a defensive error by South Africa, giving the host nation a 1-0 lead. Quinones received a yellow card in the 11th minute. The opening ceremony featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, Shakira, and Burna Boy.
Journalist Predictions for the Final
Predictions for the World Cup final varied significantly among journalists.
The most frequently predicted final matchup was France vs. Argentina, with six journalists (Nick Ames, David Hytner, Ewan Murray, Osasu Obayiuwana, Max Rushden, Leander Schaerlaeckens) forecasting a French victory.
Other predictions included:
- Spain vs. Portugal (Alexander Abnos, Jeff Rueter)
- Spain vs. Argentina (Ella Brockway, Jacob Steinberg)
- France vs. Portugal (Ben Fisher)
- England vs. France (Bryan Armen Graham, Jonathan Wilson)
- England vs. Spain (Paul MacInnes)
In one simulation, Max Rushden predicted France would defeat Argentina.
Golden Boot Predictions
Journalists' predictions for the tournament's top goalscorer (Golden Boot) were led by two players:
- Harry Kane (England): Predicted by Nick Ames, Ella Brockway, Ben Fisher, Paul MacInnes, Ewan Murray, and Jacob Steinberg.
- Kylian Mbappé (France): Predicted by Bryan Armen Graham, Barry Glendenning, David Hytner, Leander Schaerlaeckens, and Jonathan Wilson.
Other players receiving predictions included Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain, predicted by Alexander Abnos), Erling Haaland (Norway, predicted by Osasu Obayiuwana), and Brian Brobbey (Netherlands, predicted by Max Rushden). Jeff Rueter predicted either Kane or Mbappé.
Team and Player Predictions
Surprise Teams
Journalists named several teams as potential surprise packages:
- Ecuador: Predicted by six journalists (Abnos, Brockway, Glendenning, Rueter, Schaerlaeckens, Steinberg).
- Norway: Predicted by Fisher and Schaerlaeckens.
- Senegal: Predicted by Armen Graham.
- Japan: Predicted by Hytner, Murray, and Wilson.
- Cape Verde: Predicted by Obayiuwana.
- Scotland: Predicted by Rushden.
Breakthrough Players
Predictions for a breakthrough player at the tournament included:
- Gilberto Mora (Mexico) – Abnos, Murray
- Antonio Nusa (Norway) – Ames, Armen Graham
- Yan Diomande (Côte d'Ivoire) – Brockway, Hytner
- Lamine Yamal (Spain) – Obayiuwana
- Arda Güler (Turkey) – Rueter
- Nico Paz (Argentina) – Steinberg
- Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) – Wilson
Other players named included Rayan (Brazil), Kenan Yildiz (Turkey), Keito Nakamura (Japan), Ricardo Pepi (USA), and veterans Manuel Neuer (Germany), Enner Valencia (Ecuador), and coach Dick Advocaat (Netherlands).
Player of the Tournament
In a separate set of predictions, writers named Kylian Mbappe (France), Lamine Yamal (Spain), Vitinha (Portugal), Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Michael Olise (France), and Federico Valverde (Uruguay) as potential best players.
Host Nations' Prospects
Predictions for the three host nations varied:
- USA: Most predictions placed them reaching the round of 16.
- Mexico: Predictions ranged from a quarterfinal finish to the round of 32.
- Canada: Predictions ranged from a quarterfinal finish to elimination in the round of 32.
England and Scotland Prospects
Journalists offered a range of predictions for England and Scotland:
- England: Expectations ranged from a quarterfinal appearance to reaching the final. Some predicted a last-16 loss or a quarterfinal defeat.
- Scotland: Most predictions placed them exiting in the round of 32 (group stage), with some predicting a last-16 appearance.