Published 10 June 2026
BBC Sport football analyst Chris Sutton is forecasting the results of all 104 fixtures at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
He kicks off with the scores for the opening matches in every group, covering the tournament's inaugural game between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, reigning champions Argentina versus Algeria, and England facing Croatia.
AI, which topped last season's BBC Premier League Predictions League, is also joining the fray this time, aiming to replicate its domestic success on the global stage.
Its forecasts were produced via Microsoft Copilot Chat. We simply instructed the tool to 'predict the results of the opening round of World Cup group games'.
Disagree with our expert human and believe you know more than any machine? Here is your opportunity to demonstrate it.
A fresh BBC predictor game is being launched for this World Cup, enabling readers to select a winner from every match, or opt for a draw.
PLAY WORLD CUP PREDICTOR HERE
GROUP A
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: South Korea (winners) and Mexico (runners-up). Czech Republic to finish third and South Africa fourth.
Mexico v South Africa
Mexico City / Thursday, 11 June / 20:00 BST
I am at the Azteca Stadium for BBC Radio 5 Live covering this match and I cannot contain my excitement.
However, I do not anticipate much from this Mexico side. The co-hosts lack many players from Europe's top five leagues, and it seems they are somewhat average in attack.
The responsibility falls on Raul Jimenez, who has just returned to Wolves from Fulham, to provide their goals, but at 35 years old, he is no longer the player he once was.
A significant portion of South Africa's squad also plays in their domestic league—Burnley striker Lyle Foster is their sole representative from the Premier League or Championship.
This match will be tight, but Mexico's home advantage gives them the upper hand.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
South Korea v Czech Republic
Guadalajara / Friday, 12 June / 03:00
South Korea's captain and icon Son Heung-min is competing in his fourth World Cup and brings vast experience, but their aspirations do not rest solely on him—Lee Kang-in of Paris St-Germain is also expected to excel.
The Czech Republic are a practical team, yet they are also resilient, and I foresee them securing a point.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 1-1
GROUP B
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Switzerland (winners) and Canada (runners-up). Bosnia-Herzegovina to finish third and Qatar fourth.
Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Toronto / Friday, 12 June / 20:00
Edin Dzeko is still leading the attack for Bosnia-Herzegovina at age 40, and they do not pose a major goal threat, but their emphasis is more on defence anyway.
Canada are not prolific scorers either, but like any Jesse Marsch team, the co-hosts will play with high intensity and press the ball.
I know their right-back Alistair Johnston well from watching him at Celtic—he will play in the Premier League one day—and it is great he has made this tournament after missing most of the season with a hamstring injury.
However, it appears another Canada defender, Nice centre-back Moise Bombito, was not as fortunate. If he is not fit, he will be a significant loss for them.
Canada's initial objective is to win a game at a World Cup finals for the first time. I do not think they will quite achieve that against Bosnia, but this is definitely a group they can advance from.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 1-1
Qatar v Switzerland
San Francisco / Saturday, 13 June / 20:00
Switzerland have some exciting young players to complement the experience of Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji.
Qatar lost all three of their group matches at their home World Cup in 2022, and I do not see them performing much better this time.
Sutton's prediction: 0-2
AI's prediction: 0-2
GROUP C
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Brazil (winners) and Scotland (runners-up). Morocco to finish third and Haiti fourth.
Brazil v Morocco
New York / Saturday, 13 June / 23:00
Brazil only finished fifth in South American qualifying, but they improved once Carlo Ancelotti took over and still possess so much talent in their squad.
It will be interesting to see if Brentford's Igor Thiago starts up front for them, but they will be strong at the back with Arsenal's Gabriel and Paris St-Germain's Marquinhos together in central defence.
Another PSG player, Achraf Hakimi, is one of Morocco's stars, and many expect another strong tournament from them after they reached the semi-finals in 2022.
They will give Brazil a tough match, but Ancelotti's teams usually find a way to win.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
Haiti v Scotland
Boston / Sunday, 14 June / 02:00
We all understand the importance of winning this match for Scotland in terms of advancing from their group for the first time at a World Cup, but I would not underestimate Haiti.
Any team on the journey they have been on, qualifying without being able to play at home, has something special about them.
Haiti have Premier League experience from Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, and they will not sit back and defend deep.
I still think Scotland will manage to secure the win, but how will Steve Clarke approach it? Lawrence Shankland will play up front, but will he have a strike partner or will Clarke stick with an extra midfielder? He might have to take a risk.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
AI's prediction: 0-2
GROUP D
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Turkey (winners) and Paraguay (runners-up). United States to finish third and Australia fourth.
USA v Paraguay
Los Angeles / Saturday, 13 June / 02:00
This is a fairly challenging group for the United States. All four teams will expect to reach the last 32.
Paraguay had one of the best defensive records in South American qualifying and will be difficult to beat. The co-hosts might have to settle for starting with a draw.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
Australia v Turkey
Vancouver / Sunday, 14 June / 05:00
Turkey have some exciting creative players like Kenan Yildiz of Juventus and Real Madrid's Arda Guler, and are well organised under manager Vincenzo Montella.
However, Australia will have a Norwich striker, Mohamed Toure, leading the line, and while he is a bit raw, he knows where the goal is—he has scored a couple of hat-tricks since joining from Danish side Randers FC in February, including one on his first start.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-2
GROUP E
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Germany (winners) and Ecuador (runners-up). Ivory Coast to finish third and Curacao fourth.
Germany v Curacao
Houston / Sunday, 14 June / 18:00
Curacao are the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, in terms of geographical size and population—158,000, which is only slightly larger than my home city of Norwich.
Sadly, Norwich never made it to a World Cup, but Curacao's qualification is a great story—and so is the return of Dick Advocaat as their head coach.
At 78, he is set to be the oldest coach in World Cup history when he takes charge of this match. I remember facing his Rangers side when I was at Celtic, and he is such a smart guy and a really wily manager.
I am covering this match for 5 Live too, and it is strange there is so little expectation around Germany at this tournament—they are usually among the favourites but did not advance from their group in 2018 or 2022.
They should make it to the knockout stages this time, however, and I think they will start with a victory. Curacao will sit deep and defend in numbers, but Germany will find a way through.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
AI's prediction: 3-0
Ivory Coast v Ecuador
Philadelphia / Monday, 15 June / 00:00
Both of these teams had a strong defensive record in qualifying—Ecuador only conceded five in 18 matches in the South American section, and Ivory Coast did not allow any in 10 games in their African group.
The obvious prediction, then, is a goalless draw.
Sutton's prediction: 0-0
AI's prediction: 1-1
GROUP F
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Japan (winners) and Netherlands (runners-up). Tunisia to finish third and Sweden fourth.
Netherlands v Japan
Dallas / Sunday, 14 June / 21:00
I became a bit of a celebrity in Japan when I correctly backed them to beat Germany at the last World Cup, or at least I appeared on TV over there to discuss it anyway.
They have some excellent technical players and will be dangerous, whoever they face—and I am going to support them again to beat the Dutch.
The Netherlands look strong defensively, but I am less convinced by them up front.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
AI's prediction: 2-1
Sweden v Tunisia
Monterrey / Monday, 15 June / 03:00
Graham Potter has worked his magic with Sweden since taking charge of them in October and guiding them through the play-offs, but I do not expect them to advance from their group.
Like Ivory Coast, Tunisia did not concede a goal in their qualifying campaign, but they are another team at this World Cup who like to keep things tight at the back but lack some firepower—and that makes me think this will end in a draw.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 1-0
GROUP G
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Belgium (winners) and Egypt (runners-up). New Zealand to finish third and Iran fourth.
Belgium v Egypt
Seattle / Monday, 15 June / 20:00
It feels like Belgium are a declining force. Unlike a few years ago, you do not think of them as potential tournament winners anymore, although of course they still have some very talented players.
This will be tight because of how Egypt are set up to play on the counter-attack.
They are another team hoping to get their first win at a World Cup, but whether they achieve it probably depends on Mohamed Salah, and whether he puts his boots on the right feet after such a disappointing season for Liverpool.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
Iran v New Zealand
Los Angeles / Tuesday, 16 June / 02:00
I read an amazing statistic about New Zealand, which is that they only have around 60 professional footballers across the world.
As a nation, just by qualifying for this World Cup, they are punching well above their weight, and it would be huge for them to get their first win in their third finals.
They have some decent players too, like 'the Wood-chopper' Chris Wood up top and their playmaker, Sarpreet Singh, and I am also looking forward to seeing Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just, who is a good footballer.
They are up against an Iran team with many off-field issues, and they will not even be based in the United States where they play their three group matches, but in Mexico.
A lot of their players compete in the Persian Gulf League, which has been suspended since March, and they are an ageing squad anyway.
So, it will not be easy for them, and I am going to back 'the Wood-chopper' to score the winner.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
AI's prediction: 1-0
GROUP H
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Spain (winners) and Uruguay (runners-up). Saudi Arabia to finish third and Cape Verde fourth.
Spain v Cape Verde
Atlanta / Monday, 15 June / 17:00
Cape Verde topped their qualifying group by being attack-minded and playing possession football. I doubt that will work for them against Spain, though.
My one concern about Spain is Rodri, really, and what level he is at. He had a very stop-start season for Manchester City through injury, but they are still potential winners of this World Cup without him.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
AI's prediction: 3-0
Saudi Arabia v Uruguay
Miami / Monday, 15 June / 23:00
My old Blackburn Rovers team-mate Georgios Donis is the new Saudi Arabia coach, and I am sure he will get in touch while I am at the World Cup and want to meet to pick my brains over a coffee.
It did not really work out for him in the Premier League, but he was a good player, lightning quick, and scored a great goal against Everton.
As a manager, he got this job because he had been doing well domestically in the Saudi Pro League, and the reputation of football there is growing all the time.
We saw Saudi Arabia shock Argentina in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup, but they still finished bottom of their group. This time, they must be thinking the last 16 is achievable, although this is a tough start.
I was impressed by how organised Uruguay were when they drew with England in March, and under Marcelo Bielsa, you know they will attack teams too.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 0-2
GROUP I
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Senegal (winners) and France (runners-up). Norway to finish third and Iraq fourth.
France v Senegal
New York / Tuesday, 16 June / 20:00
When you go through the France squad, they are clearly capable of winning this World Cup, but my old Chelsea team-mate Didier Deschamps does not always take the handbrake off.
If they do open up, this could be a thrilling match because Senegal have plenty of firepower too. They famously beat France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup and could catch them cold again.
Sutton's prediction: 3-3
AI's prediction: 2-0
Iraq v Norway
Boston / Tuesday, 16 June / 23:00
Like many people, I am looking forward to seeing how Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland link up in Norway's attack.
Iraq's assistant coach, Rene Meulensteen, came on the Monday Night Club to discuss how difficult their preparations have been after an arduous qualification campaign too.
Meulensteen and head coach Graham Arnold are vastly experienced, and Iraq will be well-drilled and play on the counter-attack to try to hold on in this match, but it is going to be very tough for them.
Sutton's prediction: 0-4
AI's prediction: 0-2
GROUP J
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Argentina (winners) and Austria (runners-up). Algeria to finish third and Jordan fourth.
Argentina v Algeria
Kansas City / Wednesday, 17 June / 02:00
This will be Lionel Messi's sixth World Cup, which is amazing in itself.
What level is he at now, though? At 38, he is not the player he once was, but can he still have an impact on matches for Argentina?
It is going to be fascinating to find out, and although the holders have plenty of other very talented players, Messi's performances will probably determine how deep they go in this tournament.
Algeria's star man is Riyad Mahrez, who is 35 now, but they have some talented youngsters who could make a name for themselves.
I still think Argentina will win, but it might not be comfortable for them.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
AI's prediction: 2-0
Austria v Jordan
San Francisco / Wednesday, 17 June / 05:00
This could be a fascinating clash of styles, with Austria playing the high press under Ralf Rangnick and Jordan sitting in and playing on the counter.
It will help defensive-minded teams like Jordan that they will get three-minute hydration breaks at this World Cup, which turns the matches into quarters and disrupts momentum.
I still think Austria will find a way through, however. They will come after Jordan, who might find striker Marko Arnautovic's physicality hard to handle.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
GROUP K
Sutton's pre-tournament selections: Colombia (winners) and Portugal (runners-up). DR Congo to finish third and Uzbekistan fourth.
Portugal v DR Congo
Houston / Wednesday, 17 June / 18:00
I am at this match and am looking forward to watching DR Congo.
They have some real quality in their team, from Lille's Chancel Mbemba and West Ham's Aaron Wan Bissaka at the back to Sunderland's Noah Sidiki in midfield and Yoane Wissa up front, although he struggled for form and fitness at Newcastle last season.
DR Congo will be competitive, but they might still struggle to contain Portugal's midfield, which is eye-wateringly good.
Joao Neves and Vitinha have been absolutely superb for PSG, while Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also had excellent seasons for Manchester United and City.
They have so much guile in there, and the only issues with them are who partners Ruben Dias in the centre of defence and how it works with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, aka old spoilt chops, up top.
Is it about him, or the team? He has been a brilliant player, but if they struggle, then of course people will ask if he holds them back.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
AI's prediction: 3-1
Uzbekistan v Colombia
Mexico City / Thursday, 18 June / 03:00
Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is the heart of the Uzbekistan team, and their hopes rest on their defensive displays.
Colombia will look to Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez to break them down, and I think they will find a way through.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
AI's prediction: 1-2
GROUP