A video game that has correctly predicted the last four World Cup winners has announced its pick for the 2026 tournament. EA Sports, using its latest football simulation EA Sports FC 26, has forecast that Spain will lift the trophy this year.
Spain Predicted as World Cup Champion
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, June 11, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. EA Sports ran all tournament matches through its game and concluded that Spain will emerge victorious. This would mark Spain's second World Cup win since their 2010 triumph over the Netherlands.
EA's simulation has a strong track record, correctly naming the winner four times in a row. In 2022, it predicted Argentina would win, and while it incorrectly forecast Brazil as their final opponent, it accurately identified Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez as winners of the Golden Ball and Golden Glove awards, respectively.
How the Prediction Works
EA Sports has a longstanding tradition of simulating the World Cup using its annual football game. Despite losing the FIFA license in 2021, the company continues the practice with EA Sports FC 26. The simulation runs all matches to determine the tournament's outcome, and its accuracy has garnered attention.
While the prediction is not without risk, Spain is considered a strong contender by many fans. Other favorites include France, England, and Argentina. EA's website allows fans to submit their own predictions, though Spain is likely to receive many votes.
World Cup Game Updates
EA Sports FC 26 received a new update called The World's Game, which includes a tournament mode launched over the weekend. This is EA's way of incorporating World Cup content without the official license, which ended with FIFA 23 in 2021.
Meanwhile, FIFA has pursued other partnerships. A Netflix-exclusive game will launch on June 11, coinciding with the World Cup start. Another title, FIFA Heroes, a free-to-play arcade game featuring team mascots, releases on June 22 for mobile and PC, with console versions to follow.
Conclusion
EA Sports' simulation has built a reputation for accuracy, making Spain a likely champion this year. The tournament promises excitement, and fans will soon see if the game's prediction holds true.
