There's no bigger prize in football than the World Cup . Awarded to the best nation in football once every four years, it's something any player would give an arm to have in their cabinet. The fact the tournament only comes around once every four years makes it all the more prestigious as only a select few in history have been able to lift the trophy.
It's been 60 years since England won their one and only World Cup, and sadly they'll have to wait at least another four more after crashing out against Argentina in the semi-finals . Only eight different countries have had the honour of winning the competition since it was created in 1930. That could change, though, as Grok AI has predicted every nation that will win the World Cup up until the turn of the century.
There are some major surprises predicted, some first-time winners and some nations finally getting their hands on the trophy once again. Take a look at the full list of winners below.
Winners: 2026 - 2042
England Predicted to Win Second World Cup in 2038
Despite making its predictions long before the 2026 World Cup started, AI has started well. Indeed, it correctly claimed that Spain would take on Argentina. It will be very interesting to see if it gets the final score correct, as it's backs the Spaniards to win 2-1, stopping Lionel Messi and co from claiming back-to-back wins.
Indeed, the South American nation won the 2022 iteration of the tournament, finally letting their greatest-ever player, Messi , get his hands on the trophy. But they're predicted to come up just short this time around.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory came 36 years after they last won the tournament
Having been knocked out by Norway in the 2026 quarter-finals, Brazil have been tipped to bounce back and win the World Cup in 2030, their first triumph since 2002. Next, France are expected to win the competition in 2034. By that time, Kylian Mbappe will be 35 years old, but he's still predicted to dominate in the final against Germany, with Les Bleus lifting the trophy in a 2-0 victory.
A World Cup has eluded England since 1966, but the Three Lions have been labelled potential winners in 2038, with football finally coming home in a 1-0 victory against Brazil. The 2042 edition, though, is predicted to be even more memorable, with an African nation finally lifting the famous trophy. Nigeria, currently ranked as the 26th best nation in the world , are tipped to upset the odds and beat Argentina 2-1 in the final.
AI Predicts World Cup Winners ( 2026 - 2042)
2026
Spain 2-1 Argentina
2030
Brazil 3-1 France
2034
France 2-0 Germany
2038
England 1-0 Brazil
2042
Nigeria 2-1 Argentina
England have been through many golden generations, but there's one player in recent history that stands out for Messi.
Winners: 2046 - 2062
USA touted to win at home World Cup
With the World Cup predicted to head back to Europe for the 2046 edition, AI believes that two powerhouses will play out the final. Germany , who will not have won the competition since Brazil 2014, are forecast to get the better of Spain in an enthralling final which will end 3-2 in favour of Die Mannschaft.
Then, in South America, Grok AI believes that Argentina will win their first World Cup since Messi's retirement, lifting the famous trophy for a fourth time against Portugal. But an unlikely final could then follow in 2054, as USA and Mexico contend for the honour in the United States. Indeed, it's the hosts who are tipped to win the honour, finally cementing their status as a leading footballing nation.
In 2058, fans can expect to see new winners once again, as Japan are predicted to become the first Asian nation to win a World Cup against France. As of now, they have only managed to reach the Round of 16, but a lot can change in 33 years.
Italian football might not be in the best of places as of right now β the Azzurri will need to win their playoff bracket to even qualify for the 2026 World Cup. But, with the tournament predicted to return to the Mediterranean nation in 2062, the four-time champions are expected to earn a fifth star in a 2-1 victory against Brazil.
AI Predicts World Cup Winners (2046 - 2062)
2046
Germany 3-2 Spain
2050
Argentina 4-3 Portugal
2054
USA 2-1 Mexico
2058
Japan 1-0 France
2062
Italy 2-1 Brazil
Winners: 2066 - 2082
Morocco and Australia Predicted to Win
With Nigeria becoming Africa's first World Cup winners in 2042, Morocco are predicted to become the second. Hosting the tournament in 2066 along with Algeria, Grok thinks that the Atlas Lions will break England hearts in the final, beating the Three Lions 3-2 to go even better than their run to the semi-finals at the 2022 edition.
It's a return to familiarity in 2070, though, as Brazil win their eighth title and first since their predicted win in 2030. But four years later, Grok's expecting Australia to upset the odds against Spain in the final, as the Socceroos join the pantheon of winners of the World Cup.
Portugal will be several years removed from the Cristiano Ronaldo-era by 2078 and still without a World Cup - perhaps making their iconic forward the best player never to win the competition. The 37th World Cup is predicted to be their year, though, as a supposed golden generation comes of age against France in the Iberian Peninsula. And at the following tournament, Senegal are touted as potential winners, beating Argentina 1-0 to claim their first crown too.
AI Predicts World Cup Winners (2066 - 2082)
2066
Morocco 3-2 England
2070
Brazil 4-2 Germany
2074
Australia 2-1 Spain
2078
Portugal 3-2 France
2082
Senegal 1-0 Argentina
Winners: 2086-2098
Germany Close Out Century With 2098 World Cup Win
Having finished as runners-up on three occasions in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Netherlands are expected to finally get over their hump at the World Cup in 2086. Die Oranje , nearly 100 years on since winning the European Championship in 1988, are predicted to beat Italy in the final of the competition.
Two more new winners are forecast to follow in the next renditions of the tournament. 2090 will see a rematch of the 2054 final, with Mexico emerging victorious against USA this time around. But even more surprising scenes are expected in 2094, as India are tipped to beat Brazil on penalties to claim a first World Cup.
In the final competition of this century, it will be an all too familiar sight for football fans. European giants Germany are prophesised to win their sixth world title, earning a famous victory against Portugal to maintain their legacy as the second-most dominant footballing nation behind Brazil.
AI Predicts World Cup Winners (2086 - 2098)
2086
Netherlands 3-1 Italy
2090
Mexico 2-1 USA
2094
India 2-2 Brazil (pens)
2098
Germany 2-0 Portugal
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