World Cup 2026: First match predictions and shocks?

BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton predicts the results of all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup. He predicts the scores of the first matches of each group, including the opening matches between Mexico and South Africa, Argentina and Algeria and England and Croatia. Additionally, AI participated in this prediction and produced the results. **Group A** Sutton's prediction: Korea (winner) and Mexico (runner-up). The Czech Republic is expected to rank 3rd and South Africa to rank 4th. - Mexico vs. South Africa - **Location**: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City - **Date**: Thursday, June 11, 20:00 BST - Sutton’s prediction: 1-0 / AI’s prediction: 2-0 - Korea vs. Czech Republic - **Location**: Guadalajara - **Date**: June 12 (Fri) 03:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 1-1 / AI’s prediction: 1-1 **Group B** Sutton's prediction: Switzerland (winner) and Canada (runner-up). Bosnia-Herzegovina is expected to rank 3rd and Qatar to rank 4th. - Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina - **Location**: Toronto - **Date**: June 12 (Fri) 20:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 1-1 / AI’s prediction: 1-1 **Group C** Sutton's prediction: Brazil (winner) and Scotland (runner-up). Morocco is expected to rank 3rd and Haiti to rank 4th. - Brazil vs Morocco - **Location**: New York - **Date**: June 13 (Sat) 23:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 2-1 / AI’s prediction: 2-1 **Group D** Sutton's prediction: Türkiye (winner) and Paraguay (runner-up). The United States is expected to rank 3rd and Australia to rank 4th. - United States vs. Paraguay - **Location**: Los Angeles - **Date**: June 13 (Sat) 02:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 1-1 / AI’s prediction: 2-1 **Group E** Sutton's prediction: Germany (winner) and Ecuador (runner-up). Ivory Coast is expected to be ranked 3rd and Curaçao will be ranked 4th. - Germany vs Curaçao - **Location**: Houston - **Date**: June 14 (Sun) 18:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 3-0 / AI’s prediction: 3-0 **Group F** Sutton's prediction: Japan (winner) and Netherlands (runner-up). Tunisia is expected to be ranked 3rd and Sweden will be ranked 4th. - Netherlands vs. Japan - **Location**: Dallas - **Date**: June 14 (Sun) 21:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 1-2 / AI’s prediction: 2-1 **Group** Sutton's prediction: Belgium (winner) and Egypt (runner-up). New Zealand is expected to be ranked 3rd and Iran will be ranked 4th. - Belgium vs Egypt - **Location**: Seattle - **Date**: June 15 (Mon) 20:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 1-1 / AI’s prediction: 2-1 **Group H** Sutton's prediction: Spain (winner) and Uruguay (runner-up). Saudi Arabia is expected to be ranked 3rd and Cape Verde will be ranked 4th. - Spain vs Cape Verde - **Location**: Atlanta - **Date**: June 15 (Mon) 17:00 - Sutton’s prediction: 3-1 / AI’s prediction: 3-0 Expectations are rising for Korea's first match in this World Cup, and many soccer fans are paying close attention to the results. --- ## Related Articles 1. [ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਕੱਪ 2026: ਇੰਗਲੈਂਡ ਦੀ ਟਰੇਨਿੰਗ ਸਮਾਨ ਚੋਰੀ](https://khidarikhabran.com/khabran/2026-109) 2. [World Cup Controversies Pile Up: Visa Issues, Red Cards, and Protests](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/world-cup-controversies-pile-up-visa-issues-red-cards-and-protests)

Related Articles

• World Cup 2026: Folarin Balogu explains the impact of the red card controversy on the US national team

• World Cup 2026: By Cesar Azpilicueta - Why Spain will remain calm

• World Cup 2026: BBC Sport reaches record viewership ratings