Can You Beat Paul? World Cup 2026 Predictions

Can You Beat Paul? World Cup 2026 Predictions

Every great tournament needs a fearless forecaster, and ours goes by the name of Paul. Our head stats man has spent more hours poring over form guides, expected-goals models and head-to-head records than he'd care to admit, and now he's putting his reputation on the line for the 2026 World Cup. Match by match, group by group, Paul is calling the result of every game on the full tournament schedule before a ball is kicked — and inviting you to prove him wrong.

This is where the fun begins. Ahead of each fixture, Paul shares his verdict alongside the reasoning behind it: the numbers that swayed him, the form lines he's trusting and the upsets he reckons are brewing across North America. He won't always get it right, of course — that's rather the point. The beautiful game has a habit of making fools of even the sharpest statisticians, and a single moment of magic can send the best-laid predictions out of the window.

So here's the challenge at the heart of our Can You Beat Paul? World Cup 2026 Predictions page. Read his calls, weigh up the evidence, then back your own judgement against his. Think you've spotted a banker he's missed, or a giant ready to fall? Before you commit, it's worth weighing up who the favourites and dark horses really are — then see whether your footballing instincts can outscore our resident numbers man.

Check back regularly as the fixtures roll in. From the opening group games through to the latter stages, Paul will keep his predictions coming — and if you need a refresher on how the 48 teams were drawn into their groups, that's all laid out too. The leaderboard between man and reader is yours to win. The only question that matters: can you beat Paul?

Paul 0/0 – Make your picks! You 0/0 – Reset my picks #cybp-tracker{--cybp-green:#1a7f47;--cybp-red:#c0392b;--cybp-amber:#b7791f;--cybp-line:#e3e3e3;--cybp-bg:#fff;--cybp-ink:#1a1a1a;--cybp-muted:#6b6b6b;max-width:760px;margin:24px auto 0;color:var(--cybp-ink);font-family:inherit} #cybp-tracker *{box-sizing:border-box} .cybp-scoreboard{display:flex;align-items:stretch;gap:10px;position:sticky;top:0;z-index:5;background:var(--cybp-bg);border:1px solid var(--cybp-line);border-radius:12px;padding:14px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.04);margin-bottom:10px} .cybp-score-card{flex:1;text-align:center;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px} .cybp-score-label{font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--cybp-muted);font-weight:700} .cybp-score-big{font-size:26px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.1} .cybp-score-sub{font-size:12px;color:var(--cybp-muted)} .cybp-score-vs{flex:1.4;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;text-align:center;font-weight:700;font-size:14px;border-left:1px solid var(--cybp-line);border-right:1px solid var(--cybp-line);padding:0 8px} .cybp-reset-row{text-align:right;margin-bottom:16px} .cybp-reset{background:none;border:1px solid var(--cybp-line);color:var(--cybp-muted);font-size:12px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:6px;cursor:pointer} .cybp-reset:hover{border-color:var(--cybp-muted)} .cybp-group{font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:800;color:var(--cybp-muted);margin:22px 0 10px;padding-bottom:6px;border-bottom:2px solid var(--cybp-line)} .cybp-match{border:1px solid var(--cybp-line);border-radius:12px;padding:16px;margin-bottom:12px;background:var(--cybp-bg)} .cybp-fixture{font-size:18px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 2px} .cybp-meta{font-size:12px;color:var(--cybp-muted);margin:0 0 10px;font-style:italic} .cybp-comment{font-size:15px;line-height:1.55;margin:0 0 12px} .cybp-pred-row{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-bottom:12px} .cybp-pred{font-size:14px;font-weight:700} .cybp-pred span{color:var(--cybp-muted);font-weight:600} .cybp-tag{font-size:12px;font-weight:800;padding:3px 9px;border-radius:999px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.04em} .cybp-tag.pending{background:#f3f3f3;color:var(--cybp-muted)} .cybp-tag.correct{background:rgba(26,127,71,.12);color:var(--cybp-green)} .cybp-tag.wrong{background:rgba(192,57,43,.12);color:var(--cybp-red)} .cybp-picks{display:flex;gap:8px} .cybp-pick{flex:1;border:1px solid var(--cybp-line);background:var(--cybp-bg);border-radius:8px;padding:9px 6px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer;transition:all .12s;color:var(--cybp-ink)} .cybp-pick:hover{border-color:var(--cybp-ink)} .cybp-pick.sel{background:var(--cybp-ink);color:#fff;border-color:var(--cybp-ink)} .cybp-pick.locked{cursor:default;opacity:.85} .cybp-pick.sel.win{background:var(--cybp-green);border-color:var(--cybp-green)} .cybp-pick.sel.lose{background:var(--cybp-red);border-color:var(--cybp-red)} .cybp-yourtag{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px} @media(max-width:520px){.cybp-score-big{font-size:22px}.cybp-fixture{font-size:16px}} (function(){ function cybpInit(){ var matches = [ {g:"Group A", h:"Mexico", a:"South Africa", v:"Mexico City — Thu 11 Jun, 20:00 BST", s:"2-0", c:"Co-hosts on opening night with the Azteca behind them — Paul backs the occasion to carry a modest Mexico side past a well-drilled South Africa.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group A", h:"South Korea", a:"Czech Republic", v:"Guadalajara — Fri 12 Jun, 03:00 BST", s:"1-1", c:"Paul leaned towards the pragmatic Czechs nicking a point off a quality Korea side. Instead Son and company found the extra gear to edge it — a bolder call would have paid off.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group B", h:"Canada", a:"Bosnia-Herzegovina", v:"Toronto — Fri 12 Jun, 20:00 BST", s:"2-1", c:"Paul backed the co-hosts' intensity to see off a defence-first Bosnia. Canada did dominate, but a resolute Bosnia held firm for a hard-earned share of the spoils.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group B", h:"Qatar", a:"Switzerland", v:"San Francisco — Sat 13 Jun, 20:00 BST", s:"0-2", c:"Paul had the Swiss down for a comfortable win, and they did dominate — only for a last-gasp Qatar leveller to snatch an unlikely point. Football, eh?", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group C", h:"Brazil", a:"Morocco", v:"New York — Sat 13 Jun, 23:00 BST", s:"2-1", c:"Paul fancied Brazil's cutting edge to shade a heavyweight opener. Morocco proved every bit their equal, though, and a draw was a fair reflection of a terrific contest.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group C", h:"Haiti", a:"Scotland", v:"Boston — Sun 14 Jun, 02:00 BST", s:"0-1", c:"A must-win for Scotland's group hopes against a spirited Haiti. Paul tips a nervy, hard-earned away win.", actual:"away"}, {g:"Group D", h:"USA", a:"Paraguay", v:"Los Angeles — Sat 13 Jun, 02:00 BST", s:"1-1", c:"Paul expected a cagey, low-scoring opener with Paraguay's defence to the fore. Instead the hosts cut loose in emphatic style — nobody saw four goals coming.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group D", h:"Australia", a:"Turkey", v:"Vancouver — Sun 14 Jun, 05:00 BST", s:"1-2", c:"Paul tipped Turkey's creative spark to tell, but it was Australia who delivered the day's big shock, harrying their fancied opponents into submission.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group E", h:"Germany", a:"Curacao", v:"Houston — Sun 14 Jun, 18:00 BST", s:"3-0", c:"The smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup meets a Germany side desperate to make amends. Paul backs a comfortable German win.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group E", h:"Ivory Coast", a:"Ecuador", v:"Philadelphia — Mon 15 Jun, 00:00 BST", s:"0-0", c:"Paul read this as a tight battle between two miserly defences — and he wasn't far off, with a late winner the only thing that separated them.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group F", h:"Netherlands", a:"Japan", v:"Dallas — Sun 14 Jun, 21:00 BST", s:"1-1", c:"Japan have the technical quality to trouble anyone and the Dutch can look blunt up top. Paul calls it even.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group F", h:"Sweden", a:"Tunisia", v:"Monterrey — Mon 15 Jun, 03:00 BST", s:"1-1", c:"Paul expected two cautious sides to cancel each other out. Sweden had other ideas, producing a stunning second-half display to blow the game wide open.", actual:"home"}, {g:"Group G", h:"Belgium", a:"Egypt", v:"Seattle — Mon 15 Jun, 20:00 BST", s:"1-0", c:"Paul tipped Belgium to edge it through their strength in depth. Egypt's counter-attacking discipline earned them a deserved point in a tight, tense affair.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group G", h:"Iran", a:"New Zealand", v:"Los Angeles — Tue 16 Jun, 02:00 BST", s:"1-1", c:"New Zealand sense a rare chance against an ageing, disrupted Iran. Paul can't separate them.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group H", h:"Spain", a:"Cape Verde", v:"Atlanta — Mon 15 Jun, 17:00 BST", s:"3-0", c:"Paul expected the European champions to stroll it, but inspired Cape Verde goalkeeping and stubborn defending earned the tournament's romantics a famous point.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group H", h:"Saudi Arabia", a:"Uruguay", v:"Miami — Mon 15 Jun, 23:00 BST", s:"0-1", c:"Paul leaned towards Uruguay's nous in a tricky opener. An improving Saudi side dug in for a creditable draw and made Paul work for it.", actual:"draw"}, {g:"Group I", h:"France", a:"Senegal", v:"New York — Tue 16 Jun, 20:00 BST", s:"2-1", c:"A heavyweight clash with firepower at both ends. Paul expects fireworks but France's depth to tell.", actual:""}, {g:"Group I", h:"Iraq", a:"Norway", v:"Boston — Tue 16 Jun, 23:00 BST", s:"0-3", c:"Haaland and Odegaard against a well-drilled but outgunned Iraq. Paul sees Norway running out comfortable winners.", actual:""}, {g:"Group J", h:"Argentina", a:"Algeria", v:"Kansas City — Wed 17 Jun, 02:00 BST", s:"2-0", c:"The holders begin with Messi at a sixth World Cup. Paul expects class to tell, even if it's not entirely comfortable.", actual:""}, {g:"Group J", h:"Austria", a:"Jordan", v:"San Francisco — Wed 17 Jun, 05:00 BST", s:"1-0", c:"Austria's press against Jordan's counter. Paul backs the Austrians to grind out the breakthrough.", actual:""}, {g:"Group K", h:"Portugal", a:"DR Congo", v:"Houston — Wed 17 Jun, 18:00 BST", s:"2-1", c:"DR Congo have quality, but Portugal's midfield is among the best at the tournament. Paul tips a competitive Portuguese win.", actual:""}, {g:"Group K", h:"Uzbekistan", a:"Colombia", v:"Mexico City — Thu 18 Jun, 03:00 BST", s:"0-2", c:"Diaz and James should eventually unlock a resolute Uzbek defence. Paul backs Colombia without too much fuss.", actual:""}, {g:"Group L", h:"England", a:"Croatia", v:"Dallas — Wed 17 Jun, 21:00 BST", s:"2-0", c:"A powerful England midfield against an ageing Croatia who may wilt in the heat. Paul expects a confident start.", actual:""}, {g:"Group L", h:"Ghana", a:"Panama", v:"Toronto — Thu 18 Jun, 00:00 BST", s:"2-1", c:"Ghana's match-winners against a limited Panama. Defensive frailties mean it may not be comfortable, but Paul tips Ghana.", actual:""} ]; var flags={ "Mexico":"🇲🇽","South Africa":"🇿🇦","South Korea":"🇰🇷","Czech Republic":"🇨🇿", "Canada":"🇨🇦","Bosnia-Herzegovina":"🇧🇦","Qatar":"🇶🇦","Switzerland":"🇨🇭", "Brazil":"🇧🇷","Morocco":"🇲🇦","Haiti":"🇭🇹","Scotland":"🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿", "USA":"🇺🇸","Paraguay":"🇵🇾","Australia":"🇦🇺","Turkey":"🇹🇷", "Germany":"🇩🇪","Curacao":"🇨🇼","Ivory Coast":"🇨🇮","Ecuador":"🇪🇨", "Netherlands":"🇳🇱","Japan":"🇯🇵","Sweden":"🇸🇪","Tunisia":"🇹🇳", "Belgium":"🇧🇪","Egypt":"🇪🇬","Iran":"🇮🇷","New Zealand":"🇳🇿", "Spain":"🇪🇸","Cape Verde":"🇨🇻","Saudi Arabia":"🇸🇦","Uruguay":"🇺🇾", "France":"🇫🇷","Senegal":"🇸🇳","Iraq":"🇮🇶","Norway":"🇳🇴", "Argentina":"🇦🇷","Algeria":"🇩🇿","Austria":"🇦🇹","Jordan":"🇯🇴", "Portugal":"🇵🇹","DR Congo":"🇨🇩","Uzbekistan":"🇺🇿","Colombia":"🇨🇴", "England":"🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿","Croatia":"🇭🇷","Ghana":"🇬🇭","Panama":"🇵🇦" }; function fl(n){return flags[n]?flags[n]+" ":"";} var STORE="cybp_picks_v1"; function loadPicks(){try{return JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(STORE))||{};}catch(e){return {};}} function savePicks(p){try{localStorage.setItem(STORE,JSON.stringify(p));}catch(e){}} var picks=loadPicks(); function paulPick(score){var p=score.split("-");var h=parseInt(p[0],10),a=parseInt(p[1],10);return h>a?"home":(h