Using data from previous tournaments and qualifying, we’ve tasked our model with creating some World Cup AI predictions with correct score picks on every match at this summer’s tournament.
Our AI predictor combines data from qualifying matches, previous World Cups, bookmakers and more to determine the most likely correct score outcome from the game.
As the tournament progresses, the model will focus more heavily on the games that have already taken place within the tournament and it will look beyond results to input shot, possession and general match momentum data to see where value may lie.
Spain vs Austria
Spain have been the tournament’s most defensively imperious side — five goals scored, none conceded in three group games. The 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia was the standout result, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading their scoring on two goals and Lamine Yamal continuing to announce himself as one of the world’s most exciting talents. A 1-0 win over Uruguay in the final group game, coming from a first-half goal, showed their ability to manage games as well as dominate them. Luis de la Fuente’s side are well-organised, technically superb, and arrive here with a clean bill of health — only Pedri and Álex Baena on yellow cards.
Austria’s group stage was a rollercoaster that ended in dramatic fashion. After beating Jordan and losing to Argentina, they drew 3-3 with Algeria in one of the tournament’s most chaotic matches — Marko Arnautović scoring twice in a game that swung wildly in both directions. That result tells you everything about Austria: they can score goals, but they cannot keep them out. Six conceded in three games against Spain’s watertight defence is a deeply uncomfortable equation. Ralf Rangnick’s high-press system will ask questions of Spain in transition, but the gulf in defensive quality is significant. Spain are strong favourites and deserve to be.
AI Prediction: Spain 2-0 Austria
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Spain vs Austria tips and predictions here
Portugal vs Croatia
A fascinating clash between two sides who have taken very different paths through the group stage. Portugal were expected to cruise through but have been more measured than their 5-0 win over Uzbekistan suggested — draws with Congo DR and Colombia mean they arrive here with questions about their consistency. Cristiano Ronaldo leads their scoring with two goals, and the squad is deep with quality, but four players are on yellow cards (Bernardo Silva, Semedo, Araújo, Veiga), which will require careful management in a knockout game.
Croatia have been the group stage’s most compelling story. Written off after a 4-2 opening defeat to England, they responded with back-to-back wins — 1-0 over Panama and 2-1 over Ghana — to qualify in second place. Their goals have been spread across the squad, with five different scorers in three games, and Ivan Perišić remains a constant threat from wide areas. The 4-2 loss to England, however, exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Portugal’s attacking quality will look to exploit. This is a genuinely open contest — Croatia’s momentum and resilience against Portugal’s individual brilliance. The Ronaldo factor in a knockout game cannot be underestimated.
AI Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Portugal vs Croatia tips and predictions here
Switzerland vs Algeria
The late-night fixture, and one that carries the intrigue of two sides who both scored three goals in their final group game — Algeria’s extraordinary 3-3 draw with Austria was one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice to drag his side back into contention. Algeria have shown they can produce moments of genuine quality, but seven goals conceded in three games is an alarming defensive record heading into a knockout tie. Zerrouki is on a yellow card and will be cautious.
Switzerland have been quietly excellent throughout. Joël Manzambi leads their scoring with three goals, and Ruben Vargas has added two more — a clinical edge that has made them one of the tournament’s most efficient sides. The 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and the 2-1 victory over Canada showed their ability to win in different ways, and Granit Xhaka’s experience and leadership in midfield gives them a platform to control games. Switzerland’s superior defensive record (three conceded versus Algeria’s seven) and their unbeaten group stage run make them clear favourites, but Algeria’s attacking unpredictability — particularly Mahrez on his day — means they cannot be taken lightly.
AI Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 Algeria
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Switzerland vs Algeria tips and predictions here
How the predictions have got on
| Our AI Model’s Prediction | Actual full-time result |
|---|---|
| Mexico 1-0 South Africa | Mexico 2-0 South Africa |
| South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic | South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic |
| Canada 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina | Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| USA 1-0 Paraguay | USA 4-1 Paraguay |
| Qatar 0-3 Switzerland | Qatar 1-1 Switzerland |
| Brazil 1-1 Morocco | Brazil 1-1 Morocco |
| Haiti 1-2 Scotland | Haiti 0-1 Scotland |
| Australia 1-2 Turkey | Australia 2-0 Turkey |
| Germany 4-0 Curacao | Germany 7-1 Curacao |
| Netherlands 2-1 Japan | Netherlands 2-2 Japan |
| Ivory Coast 0-1 Ecuador | Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador |
| Sweden 1-1 Tunisia | Sweden 5-1 Tunisia |
| Spain 3-0 Cape Verde | Spain 0-0 Cape Verde |
| Belgium 2-0 Egypt | Belgium 1-1 Egypt |
| Saudi Arabia 0-1 Uruguay | Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay |
| Iran 1-0 New Zealand | Iran 2-2 New Zealand |
| Senegal 0-1 France | Senegal 1-3 France |
| Iraq 0-2 Norway | Iraq 1-4 Norway |
| Argentina 2-0 Algeria | Argentina 3-0 Algeria |
| Austria 2-0 Jordan | Austria 3-1 Jordan |
| Portugal 2-0 DR Congo | Portugal 1-1 DR Congo |
| England 1-0 Croatia | England 4-2 Croatia |
| Ghana 1-1 Panama | Ghana 1-0 Panama |
| Uzbekistan 0-2 Colombia | Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia |
| Czech Republic 2-1 South Africa | Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa |
| Switzerland 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina | Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Canada 2-1 Qatar | Canada 6-0 Qatar |
| Mexico 1-1 South Korea | Mexico 1-0 South Korea |
| USA 1-1 Australia | USA 2-0 Australia |
| Scotland 0-1 Morocco | Scotland 0-1 Morocco |
| Brazil 2-0 Haiti | Brazil 3-0 Haiti |
| Turkey 2-1 Paraguay | Turkey 0-1 Paraguay |
| Netherlands 2-2 Sweden | Netherlands 5-1 Sweden |
| Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast | Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast |
| Ecuador 2-0 Curacao | Ecuador 0-0 Curacao |
| Tunisia 0-2 Japan | Tunisia 0-4 Japan |
| Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia | Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia |
| Belgium 2-1 Iran | Belgium 0-0 Iran |
| Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde | Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde |
| New Zealand 1-1 Egypt | New Zealand 1-3 Egypt |
| Argentina 2-1 Austria | Argentina 2-0 Austria |
| France 3-0 Iraq | France 3-0 Iraq |
| Norway 2-1 Senegal | Norway 3-2 Senegal |
| Jordan 1-1 Algeria | Jordan 1-2 Algeria |
| Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan | Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan |
| England 2-1 Ghana | England 0-0 Ghana |
| Panama 1-2 Croatia | Panama 0-1 Croatia |
| Colombia 2-1 DR Congo | Colombia 1-0 DR Congo |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 Qatar | Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar |
| Switzerland 2-2 Canada | Switzerland 2-1 Canada |
| Morocco 2-0 Haiti | Morocco 4-2 Haiti |
| Scotland 0-2 Brazil | Scotland 0-3 Brazil |
| Czech Republic 1-2 Mexico | Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico |
| South Africa 1-2 South Korea | South Africa 1-0 South Korea |
| Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast | Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast |
| Ecuador 1-3 Germany | Ecuador 2-1 Germany |
| Japan 3-2 Sweden | Japan 1-1 Sweden |
| Tunisia 0-3 Netherlands | Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands |
| Paraguay 1-1 Australia | Paraguay 0-0 Australia |
| Turkey 1-2 USA | Turkey 3-2 USA |
| Norway 1-2 France | Norway 1-4 France |
| Senegal 2-0 Iraq | Senegal 5-0 Iraq |
| Cape Verde 1-0 Saudi Arabia | Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia |
| Uruguay 1-2 Spain | Uruguay 0-1 Spain |
| New Zealand 1-2 Belgium | New Zealand 1-5 Belgium |
| Egypt 2-1 Iran | Egypt 1-1 Iran |
| England 3-0 Panama | England 2-0 Panama |
| Croatia 1-0 Ghana | Croatia 2-1 Ghana |
| Colombia 1-1 Portugal | Portugal 0-0 Colombia |
| Uzbekistan 1-2 DR Congo | Uzbekistan 1-3 DR Congo |
| Algeria 1-1 Austria | Algeria 3-3 Austria |
| Jordan 0-4 Argentina | Jordan 1-3 Argentina |
| Canada 2-1 South Africa (AET) | Canada 1-0 South Africa |
| Brazil 3-1 Japan | Brazil 2-1 Japan |
| Germany 3-0 Paraguay | Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won on pens) |
| Netherlands 2-1 Morocco | Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco won on pens) |
| Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast | Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast |
| France 3-1 Sweden | France 3-0 Sweden |
| Mexico 2-0 Ecuador | Mexico 2-0 Ecuador |
| England 3-1 DR Congo | England 2-1 DR Congo |
| Belgium 2-1 Senegal | Belgium 3-2 Senegal (AET) |
| USA 3-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina | |
| Spain 2-0 Austria | |
| Portugal 2-1 Croatia | |
| Switzerland 2-1 Algeria |
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