Expect the Unexpected in World Cup Predictions

The World Cup stands as the ultimate unpredictable tournament. From the opening matches through to the final, surprises emerge, defying expectations.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia stunned eventual champions Argentina with a 2-1 victory in the group stage. Go back to 2002, and Senegal’s victory over holders France carried deep meaning for many, as France had previously governed Senegal for three centuries. That year, South Korea, co-hosting the tournament, defeated Italy through a golden goal before advancing to the semi-finals.

Rather than dwelling on these past surprises, it is wise to remember that predicting outcomes at the World Cup can be risky. However, following the popular Premier League predictions series by The Athletic’s Oliver Kay, we decided to try our luck again for each World Cup matchday.

My colleague Andy Jones and I, Elias Burke, will share insights into each game, highlighting players to watch and assessing how unpredictable each match might be. During the Premier League season, Andy focuses on Liverpool, gaining a unique perspective on the club. I cover Tottenham Hotspur and have observed plenty of challenges.

Our clubs have a total of 20 players participating in the World Cup. We have studied international football extensively to prepare for the task ahead.

The Athletic’s subscribers are also back to showcase their predictive skills. Each day features a guest subscriber competing with us. Joining in are Wilf, a young predictor who impressed in Premier League predictions, and Algo, The Athletic’s new algorithm. Making his debut is Stanley, a one-year-old whippet.

If you’re interested in being a guest subscriber, follow the instructions in this article. This World Cup series mirrors the Premier League series, with a few tweaks. Running from June 11 to the final on July 19, we focus on picking winners or ties instead of scorelines. The leaderboard ranks based on the percentage of correct predictions, with streaks showing consecutive right guesses.

The Athletic also offers a Soccer Pick’ems feature, allowing your participation in making picks each round.

Rest assured even if international football isn’t your forte. We’ve enlisted experts from all 48 World Cup nations to share insights into team talent and form.

And as seasoned World Cup viewers know, surprises are inevitable. When they happen, predictions will be reevaluated.

Let’s aim to outperform the algorithm – and enjoy the tournament!