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.
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
Australia vs Egypt
A genuinely open contest between two sides who have both been solid without being spectacular. Australia’s tournament has been built on defensive discipline — they beat Turkey 2-0 in the opener, lost narrowly to the United States, and drew 0-0 with Paraguay in the final group game. Their attacking output has been modest with only three different scorers across the tournament, but they are organised and hard to break down. Five players are on yellow cards, which will demand careful management.
Egypt have been the more prolific side, with five goals across three games and an unbeaten group stage record. Mohamed Salah has contributed one goal and remains the focal point of their attack, and Emam Ashour, Trezeguet, and Mostafa Zico have all chipped in. However, Mohanad Lasheen is suspended with two yellow cards, which weakens their attacking options. Three draws and a win suggest a side that can grind results but has yet to truly impose themselves. This is a match that could easily go to extra time — Egypt’s slight edge in goals scored and their unbeaten record makes them marginal favourites.
AI Prediction: Australia 0-1 Egypt (AET)
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Australia vs Egypt tips and predictions here
Argentina vs Cape Verde
The most one-sided fixture on paper of the entire round. Lionel Messi has been in the form of his life with six goals in three matches — a staggering return that has made him the tournament’s top scorer by a distance. Argentina have been ruthless, winning all three group games including a 3-0 win over Algeria and a 3-1 victory over Jordan, and they have conceded just once. Scaloni’s side look every bit like defending champions who mean business.
Cape Verde are the tournament’s great overachievers — three draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia is a remarkable group stage record for a side of their resources. Kevin Pina and Hélio Varela have both scored, and they are tactically disciplined and difficult to break down. Sidny Cabral is suspended with two yellow cards, which is a blow. However, the step up from drawing with Saudi Arabia to facing Messi’s Argentina is enormous. Cape Verde will defend deep and look to frustrate, but Argentina’s quality, depth, and individual brilliance should eventually tell. The only question is the margin.
AI Prediction: Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Argentina vs Cape Verde tips and predictions here
Colombia vs Ghana
Colombia have been one of the tournament’s most impressive sides — unbeaten in the group stage, with wins over Uzbekistan and Congo DR and a creditable 0-0 draw with Portugal. Daniel Muñoz leads their scoring with two goals, and Luis Díaz has been a constant threat on the left flank. Néstor Lorenzo’s side are tactically astute, pressing high and transitioning quickly, and they arrive here with a clean disciplinary slate bar a few yellow cards.
Ghana’s tournament has been a mixed bag. A 1-0 win over Panama and a draw with England were followed by a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the final group game — a result that showed their vulnerability when teams press them high. Yirenkyi and Luckassen have been their only scorers, and the attacking output of just two goals in three games is a concern against a Colombia side with real quality. Colombia’s superior record, goal threat, and tactical cohesion make them clear favourites here.
AI Prediction: Colombia 2-0 Ghana
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Colombia vs Ghana tips and predictions here
Canada vs Morocco
The standout fixture of this batch. Morocco are the tournament’s form side on points — unbeaten in four games, including a draw with Brazil and a 1-1 result against the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Ilias Saibari has been their talisman with three goals, and Achraf Hakimi’s marauding runs from right-back give them a dimension few sides can match. Critically, Amine Diop is suspended with two yellow cards, which weakens their defensive options.
Canada have been the tournament’s most prolific scorers, with nine goals in four games. Jonathan David leads with three goals, Cyle Larin has added two, and the squad has real depth in attack. Their 1-0 win over South Africa in the Round of 16 showed they can grind out results when needed. However, seven yellow cards across the squad is a disciplinary concern, and Morocco’s quality and experience make them a formidable opponent. This is the most evenly matched game of the seven — Morocco’s unbeaten run and tactical nous edges it, but Canada at home in front of a passionate crowd cannot be underestimated.
AI Prediction: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Paraguay vs France
France are the tournament’s most dominant side — four wins from four, 13 goals scored, only two conceded. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé have both scored six and four goals respectively, and the 4-1 win over Norway and 3-0 defeat of Sweden in the knockout round underlined their quality across every department. Deschamps’ side look balanced, deep, and ruthlessly efficient. Only Tchouaméni is on a yellow card.
Paraguay, meanwhile, arrive here in a disciplinary crisis. Miguel Almirón is suspended (red card), Diego Gómez is suspended (two yellows), and Marcos Galarza is also suspended (two yellows) — three key midfield players unavailable for arguably their biggest game. Their results have been decent — wins over Turkey and a draw with Germany — but the 4-1 loss to the United States showed they can be overwhelmed by quality opposition. Losing three midfielders against France’s press is a near-impossible ask. France should win this comfortably.
AI Prediction: Paraguay 0-3 France
Brazil vs Norway
The most explosive fixture of the round on paper — two sides who between them have scored 19 goals in eight games. Brazil have been magnificent: Vinícius Júnior with four goals and Matheus Cunha with three have formed a devastating partnership, and the 2-1 win over Japan in the Round of 16 showed their ability to win when tested. However, Casemiro and Danilo are both suspended with two yellow cards each — significant absences in midfield and defence that could affect their defensive solidity.
Norway have been the tournament’s most entertaining side in terms of sheer drama. Erling Haaland has five goals and is the only player in the tournament who can rival Messi for individual impact. Their 2-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire in the Round of 16 showed their resilience, and Nusa and Aasgaard have provided quality support. However, eight goals conceded in four games tells a story of defensive vulnerability that Brazil’s pace and power will look to exploit. With Casemiro and Danilo absent, Brazil’s midfield and defensive cover will be tested — this could be the most open, high-scoring game of the quarter-final round.
AI Prediction: Brazil 3-2 Norway
Mexico vs England
The tie of the round, and potentially the tie of the tournament so far. Mexico have been extraordinary — four wins from four, eight goals scored, none conceded, playing at home in front of what will be the loudest atmosphere of the World Cup. Jesús Quiñones leads their scoring with three goals, Raúl Jiménez has added two, and the team has been a collective masterclass in organisation and intensity. The only shadow is César Montes’ suspension (red card), which is a significant defensive blow. Gutiérrez and Álvarez are also on yellow cards.
England, meanwhile, have quietly built an impressive record — four games unbeaten, eight goals scored, with Harry Kane on five goals and Bellingham adding two. The 2-1 win over Congo DR in the Round of 16 was not always comfortable, and Bellingham is now on a yellow card alongside Rice and Quansah. The Estadio Azteca will be one of the most hostile environments any England side has faced in recent memory, and the weight of that occasion cannot be underestimated. Mexico’s perfect defensive record against England’s clinical attack is the defining tension of this match. This is genuinely too close to call — but Mexico’s home advantage, momentum, and the absence of Montes being offset by England’s experience in knockout football makes this a coin-flip.
AI Prediction: Mexico 1-1 England (England to win on pens)
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 | USA 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Spain 2-0 Austria | Spain 3-0 Austria |
| Portugal 2-1 Croatia | |
| Switzerland 2-1 Algeria | |
| Australia 0-1 Egypt (AET) | |
| Argentina 4-0 Cape Verde | |
| Colombia 2-0 Ghana | |
| Canada 1-2 Morocco | |
| Paraguay 0-3 France | |
| Brazil 3-2 Norway | |
| Mexico 1-1 England (England on penalties) |
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