With just over two months remaining until the start of the World Cup, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has predicted how the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States will unfold.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams following its expansion and first major format change since 1998, with a total of 104 matches set to be played – up from 64 in Qatar 2022.
Carragher, who successfully predicted that Argentina would win the last World Cup, has made several bold calls in his latest tournament predictions, including one on the fate of Thomas Tuchel’s England.
The Three Lions are aiming to win their first major trophy since 1966 and completed a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all eight matches while conceding no goals.
Group Stage
Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres during the warm up before the match
In the group stage, 48 teams will be split into 12 groups of four. As in previous editions, the top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage, joined by the eight best third-placed sides following the tournament’s expansion.
Carragher believes the group stage is unlikely to produce many surprises, although the former defender has predicted that Sweden will fail to progress beyond the first phase.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Eliminated in the Group Stage
Nation
South Africa
Qatar
Haiti
Australia
Curacao
Tunisia
Sweden
New Zealand
Iran
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Iraq
Jordan
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Panama
Round of 32
Memphis Depay Netherlands
Instead of 16 teams advancing to the first knockout round, as had been the case since 1998, as many as 32 will progress from the group stage. The specific match-ups for the round of 32 will depend on which groups the eight third-placed teams emerge from.
Carragher predicts that the Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, Colombia and Uruguay, among others, will fail to advance beyond this stage, while England are tipped to knock out Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Round of 32
South Korea
Germany
Netherlands
Morocco
France
Ecuador
Mexico
England
USA
Belgium
Colombia
Spain
Canada
Argentina
Portugal
Turkey
Round of 16
Germany's Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring their second goal with Leroy Sane and Florian Wirtz
The round of 16 promises a number of feisty encounters, and Carragher believes the likes of Germany, Croatia, Belgium, as well as hosts Canada and Mexico, will ultimately see their journeys end at this stage.
The former defender has predicted England to advance past Mexico to the quarter-finals, which would mark the Three Lions’ third consecutive appearance at this stage.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Round of 16
Germany
Switzerland
Morocco
Mexico
Croatia
USA
Argentina
Canada
Quarter-finals
lionel messi
Carragher has predicted France, Spain, England and Portugal to reach the semi-finals, with Portugal knocking out defending champions Argentina.
England are tipped to overcome Morocco in the quarter-finals, while Spain are predicted to eliminate the only remaining hosts, the United States.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Quarter-finals
France
Spain
Morocco
Argentina
Semi-finals
Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England vs Albania
In an all-European semi-final line-up, Carragher believes England will suffer further heartbreak in their quest to end a 60-year wait for World Cup glory.
The former Liverpool defender has predicted the Three Lions will be beaten by Portugal, who would then face France in the final.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Semi-finals
France
England
Final
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring a goal in France's victory against Ukraine
In a repeat of the Euro 2016 final, Carragher believes France, led by Kylian Mbappe, will emerge as winners and secure their third FIFA World Cup title.
Les Bleus have reached the final in each of the last two tournaments, including winning the 2018 World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Jamie Carragher’s 2026 World Cup Predictions: Final
France
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