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.
Netherlands vs Sweden
The odds make Netherlands favourites, but the first World Cup matches push me away from a simple Dutch win. Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan, producing 10 shots, 6 on target and 33 opposition-box touches, so the attacking base was fine. The concern is that they still allowed Japan to leave with a point despite conceding only moderate volume, and now face a Sweden side that looked sharper in both scoreline and penalty-box efficiency.
Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia was one of the stronger openers in this group set: 13 shots, 7 on target, 3 big chances, and only 2 shots conceded inside the box. The market still likes Netherlands, and their final-third passing volume was stronger than Sweden’s, so I do not want to flip all the way to an away win. But Sweden’s opener looked too convincing to ignore. With BTTS Yes short and both teams showing scoring threat, 2-2 feels better than the market-favourite 1-1.
AI prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Sweden
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Netherlands vs Sweden tips and predictions here
Germany vs Ivory Coast
Germany’s opener was ruthless: 7-1 against Curaçao, with 26 shots, 12 on target, 5 big chances and 63 opposition-box touches. That is exactly the sort of underlying dominance you want before backing them again, and the market has adjusted accordingly with Germany clear favourites. The caution is opponent quality: Côte d’Ivoire are a much more serious defensive and physical test than Curaçao, so I would not carry the 7-1 too literally.
Côte d’Ivoire also won their opener, beating Ecuador 1-0, and the underlying numbers were solid rather than lucky: 15 shots, 4 on target, 12 chances created and 39 box touches. They conceded some territory, but not enough to make them look fragile. That is why I prefer 2-1 over 2-0 or 3-0. Germany should have too much final-third quality, but Côte d’Ivoire showed enough penalty-box presence to nick one.
AI prediction: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Germany vs Ivory Coast tips and predictions here
Ecuador vs Curacao
Ecuador lost their opener 1-0 to Côte d’Ivoire, but the underlying data was not disastrous. They had 12 shots, created 9 chances, and generated one big chance, even though only 1 shot hit the target. That finishing problem is the concern, but the matchup is clearly much kinder here. The market agrees, pricing Ecuador as a heavy favourite and making 2-0 the shortest correct score.
Curaçao’s opener was brutal on the scoreboard, a 7-1 defeat to Germany, and the defensive workload was huge: they allowed 21 shots inside the box, 5 big chances, and 63 German box touches. They did still produce 8 shots and scored, so I would not call them completely toothless, but Ecuador’s need for a response should matter. I lean 2-0 rather than 3-0 because Ecuador’s opener lacked accuracy, yet this is still a strong bounce-back spot.
AI prediction: Ecuador 2-0 Curacao
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Ecuador vs Curacao tips and predictions here
Tunisia vs Japan
Japan’s 2-2 draw with Netherlands is the key reference point here. They were not dominant territorially, but they were efficient and composed, with 10 shots, 3 on target, 10 chances created, and enough structure in a 3-4-2-1 to stay competitive against a stronger possession side. The market has Japan as a clear favourite, and 0-1 / 0-2 sit at the front of the correct-score board.
Tunisia’s opener was much more worrying than the final goal alone suggests. The 5-1 defeat to Sweden came with only 6 shots, 2 on target and 10 box touches, while they conceded 7 shots on target and 3 big chances. They may tighten up after that, which keeps 0-1 live, but the immediate World Cup evidence points to Japan having the cleaner attacking and defensive base. I prefer 0-2 because Tunisia may have to chase late if Japan score first.
AI prediction: Tunisia 0-2 Japan
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Tunisia vs Japan 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 | |
| Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast | |
| Ecuador 2-0 Curacao | |
| Tunisia 0-2 Japan |
Read more:
