The Athletic’s daily World Cup predictions have become a ritual for soccer fans who want more than scores — they want a story. Each morning the site pits its writers against one another, against a proprietary algorithm, a mischievous dog named Susu, and even a six‑year‑old prodigy, all vying to forecast the tournament’s twists and turns.
Matchday 9 Highlights
The ninth matchday delivered drama from the opening whistle. The United States men’s national team moved a step closer to the knockout rounds with a 2‑0 victory over Australia, a result that underscored the growing confidence of a squad built around Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. Meanwhile, Morocco’s lightning‑quick start saw Ismael Saibari net after just 70 seconds, handing Scotland a 1‑0 defeat that left the group wide open. Brazil’s attack shone brightly, as Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Jr. combined for a 3‑0 win over Haiti, while Paraguay’s surprise upset of Turkey was sealed by Matias Galarza’s solitary goal.
These outcomes are more than just points on a table; they are narratives that intertwine with the predictions game. The Athletic’s community of subscribers, who submit their own forecasts, have been quick to adjust their models after each shock, while the algorithm recalibrates its parameters in real time. Even the dog and the youngster have weighed in, offering whimsical picks that sometimes prove surprisingly prescient.
What’s Next
Looking ahead to Matchday 10, the stakes sharpen. The Netherlands and Sweden meet in a pivotal Group F clash that could determine who tops the group, while Germany’s predicted triumph over Ivory Coast promises to reinforce the German side’s momentum, a prospect highlighted by the presence of Julian Nagelsmann and Joshua Kimmich in the lineup. In Group E, Ecuador is favored to dispatch Curacao, a match that could see Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres adding their names to the scoresheet. Japan’s expected comfortable victory against Tunisia adds another layer of intrigue, especially as the Japanese squad features Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma, both of whom have been in fine form.
What makes this edition of The Athletic’s predictions stand out is the blend of professional analysis and the playful competition that includes a dog, a six‑year‑old, and thousands of engaged readers. Their collective voice shapes not only the forecasts but also the conversation around each match, turning data into drama and statistics into storylines.