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 Saudi Arabia
Spain’s opener was frustrating on the scoreboard, but the underlying evidence was strong enough to keep them as a clear bounce-back pick. The 0-0 with Cape Verde came with 27 shots, 7 on target, 2 big chances, 19 chances created and 51 opposition-box touches. That is exactly the kind of pressure profile that usually turns into goals if repeated, especially against another side likely to sit deep, so I would not downgrade Spain too harshly for one blank.
Saudi Arabia’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay was a good result, but it was much thinner underneath: 7 shots, 3 on target, no big chances, only 1 key pass and 10 box touches. They can defend deep and frustrate, so I am not going to 3-0, but Spain should have far more territory and cleaner possession spells. If the finishing normalises even slightly, 2-0 Spain is the best balance.
AI Prediction: Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Spain vs Saudi Arabia tips and predictions here
Belgium vs Iran
Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt was not a disaster, but it did show why this may be more awkward than a routine favourite win. They produced 15 shots, 3 on target, 2 big chances, 13 chances created and 31 box touches, which is a solid attacking base, but not a clinical one. The volume was there; the question is whether they turn pressure into separation this time, rather than allowing another opponent to hang around into the final spell.
Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand makes a Belgium clean sheet hard to trust. Iran had 17 shots, 4 on target, 11 chances created and 25 box touches, so they were not just passive beneficiaries of chaos. Belgium still have the higher individual ceiling and should be able to create through wider and central routes, but Iran’s opener suggests they can contribute. That pushes me away from 2-0 and toward 2-1 Belgium.
AI Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Iran
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Belgium vs Iran tips and predictions here
Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Uruguay’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia was one of those results where the performance looked stronger than the scoreline. They generated 27 shots, 10 on target, 19 chances created, 16 shots inside the box and 41 box touches, so the attacking process was clearly there. The issue was conversion, not chance supply, and this matchup gives them another opportunity to turn dominance into a cleaner, more controlled result from a similar territorial platform.
Cape Verde deserve credit for holding Spain to 0-0, but the underlying picture was almost entirely defensive survival. They managed only 6 shots, 1 on target, 4 chances created and 6 box touches, while Spain spent long spells around their penalty area. That organisation can keep the score respectable, which is why I prefer 2-0 rather than 3-0. Still, Uruguay’s opener showed enough volume to expect a breakthrough and a second goal.
AI Prediction: Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Uruguay vs Cape Verde tips and predictions here
New Zealand vs Egypt
New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran was genuinely encouraging in attacking terms. They produced 14 shots, 8 on target, 2 big chances and 10 shots inside the box, with Chris Wood involved as both a focal point and creator. That finishing efficiency may not fully repeat, but the performance showed they can threaten above an OFC-only baseline, particularly if opponents allow crosses and second balls around the box.
Egypt also drew their opener 1-1 with Belgium, and the underlying numbers were competitive rather than lucky: 14 shots, 3 on target, 1 big chance, 10 chances created and 27 box touches. They had less shot accuracy than New Zealand, but arguably faced the stronger opponent. Both teams have shown enough to score, but neither opener made me confident about a win call from pre-match evidence alone. The cleanest read is another tight, mutually cautious 1-1.
AI Prediction: New Zealand 1-1 Egypt
Get the Squawka Bet team’s New Zealand vs Egypt 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 | |
| Belgium 2-1 Iran | |
| Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde | |
| New Zealand 1-1 Egypt |
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