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 Uzbekistan
Portugal’s opener was more concerning on the scoreline than in the territory numbers. The 1-1 draw with Congo DR came with only 7 shots and 1 on target, so the finishing evidence was weak, but they still had 29 opposition-box touches, 39 passes into the box and 207 final-third passes. That suggests they controlled enough of the game to remain a strong favourite here, even if I would not chase a huge score.
Uzbekistan scored in their 3-1 defeat to Colombia, but the attacking base was thin: 8 shots, 2 on target, only 5 box touches and 16 passes into the box. They were efficient rather than consistently dangerous, and Colombia’s pressure eventually told. Portugal should dominate similar territory, with more patient possession than Colombia and enough individual quality to turn pressure into separation. I prefer 2-0 over 3-0 because Portugal’s opener lacked sharpness, but the clean-sheet win is still the lean.
AI Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Uzbekistan
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Portugal vs Uzbekistan tips and predictions here
England vs Ghana
England’s 4-2 win over Croatia was one of the strongest attacking openers in this section. They produced 22 shots, 11 on target, 4 big chances, 15 chances created and 37 box touches, so the scoreline was backed by real chance volume rather than just finishing heat. The only reason I am not going bigger is that they also conceded twice, which keeps the clean-sheet angle less appealing than it looked pre-tournament.
Ghana’s 1-0 win over Panama was a very different type of performance: lower volume, but efficient and defensively organised enough to protect a lead. They had 7 shots, 2 on target, 1 big chance and 14 box touches, which is not huge, but it shows they can get into scoring positions. England should create more and carry the stronger ceiling, yet Ghana have enough transition threat to make this uncomfortable. 2-1 England feels better than 2-0 because both openers point toward England control but not total defensive security.
AI Prediction: England 2-1 Ghana
Get the Squawka Bet team’s England vs Ghana tips and predictions here
Panama vs Croatia
Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana, but I would not dismiss their performance. They actually produced 11 shots, 4 on target, 2 big chances, 8 chances created and 19 box touches, which is a good attacking base for a losing side. The problem was conversion, not complete lack of threat. Against a Croatia defence that conceded four to England, Panama scoring looks very live.
Croatia’s 4-2 defeat to England was ugly defensively, but the attacking response was still useful: 10 shots, 5 on target, 7 chances created and 2 goals. They did not match England’s volume, but they showed enough quality to punish open spaces, and this opponent should give them more room than England did. The risk is that Croatia’s back line again looks vulnerable if Panama press forward, so I do not like a clean win. Still, Croatia’s tournament experience and better final-third quality make 2-1 Croatia the preferred score.
AI Prediction: Panama 1-2 Croatia
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Panama vs Croatia tips and predictions here
Colombia vs DR Congo
Colombia’s opener was one of the clearer positive performances: a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan supported by 15 shots, 4 on target, 4 big chances, 11 chances created and 27 box touches. They created the better chances and converted them well, which makes them a justified favourite again. The only reason I stop short of 2-0 is that they did concede, and Congo DR already showed they can nick a goal against a stronger possession side.
Congo DR’s 1-1 draw with Portugal deserves respect because it was not just a backs-to-the-wall point. They had 8 shots, 2 on target, 7 chances created and 10 box touches, while holding Portugal to a single shot on target. That defensive discipline keeps the upset and draw angles alive, but Colombia’s opener had more cutting edge than Portugal’s. I expect Congo DR to stay competitive for long spells, yet Colombia should create the clearer chances. 2-1 Colombia is the best balance.
AI Prediction: Colombia 2-1 DR Congo
Get the Squawka Bet team’s Colombia vs DR Congo 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 | |
| England 2-1 Ghana | |
| Panama 1-2 Croatia | |
| Colombia 2-1 DR Congo |
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