As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, The Athletic has assembled a colorful lineup of forecasters to gauge which nations might lift the trophy. From a six‑year‑old prodigy to a canine named Stanley, from seasoned analysts to an algorithm called Algo, the predictions blend human intuition with data‑driven insight.
Recent matches already underscore the tournament’s volatility. Morocco’s 3‑0 victory over Canada and Paraguay’s surprise win against Germany before bowing to France illustrate how quickly an underdog can rewrite the script.
One of the most anticipated fixtures pits Brazil against Norway. Brazil, still shaking off a sluggish first half against Japan, appears to have found its rhythm, while Norway’s progression was sealed by Erling Haaland’s decisive strike against Ivory Coast. The Athletic’s panel — Nathaniel, Wilfred, Stanley and the Algo model — all tip the scales in Brazil’s favor.
In the Round of 16, England faces Mexico at the historic Azteca stadium. England’s attack has been anchored by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, whereas Mexico has cruised through the group stage unbeaten, scoring eight goals without reply. While The Athletic’s experts, Nathaniel and Algo predict an English win, Wilfred and Stanley favor the Mexican side.
What sets these forecasts apart is the spectrum of predictors: a child’s gut feeling, a dog’s instinct, a veteran journalist, a proprietary algorithm, and the collective insight of The Athletic’s staff all converge on a shared set of probabilities, inviting readers to join the interactive Soccer Pick’ems.
A mosaic of forecasts
Whether you’re rooting for a traditional powerhouse or an unexpected challenger, the blend of perspectives offers a fresh lens on the beautiful game. Dive into the interactive Pick’ems to test your own predictions and see how they stack up against the crowd.