World Cup 2026, we asked Gemini to predict all the matches up to the Final: France-Argentina

The group stage is over. For the first time in a World Football Championship the sixteenthsa choice linked to FIFA’s decision to expand to 48 teams the number of participants. Never mind the jokes about Gianni Infantino’s Italy. They have reached the final phase of the World Cup 32 teams: they will all have to compete in direct elimination matches until they reach the Final: the July 19th. We fed the World Cup draw to Gemini, version 3.1 Pro. Google’s artificial intelligence gave us aanalysis with predictions on all the upcoming World Cup matches. There is no talk of goals or clear results. The outcome of each meeting is justified with a motivation. Sometimes we talk about tactics, sometimes about the players’ power, sometimes simply about emotions.

We don’t know how accurate this prediction is. However, the analysis certainly corresponds to other odds we have seen in recent days. When we asked Gemini for the sources he explained to us that the parameters on which he based himself were four:

• Historical data and Palmarès: “Teams like Brazil, Germany, Argentina and France have a “tournament mentality” and experience that historically allows them to handle pressure better”
• Value and Cycles of Roses: “Knowledge of the form of current generations of footballers”
• Precedents and Rivalries: “I used recent history to outline the dynamics of the clashes.” This parameter, we anticipate, will return in the Final
• The Field Factor: “Considering that the 2026 World Cup will be played in the North American bloc, I have applied a virtual “bonus” to the United States, Mexico and Canada”

One last premise. From an initial analysis we found at least one mistake: Gemini has also indicated Ireland in the round of 32. Despite notable victories in the qualifying round, such as a 2-0 against Portugal, Ireland failed to qualify for this World Cup. We traced back to the reason for the error: in the scoreboard that we had provided to the artificial intelligence flag of Ivory Coast had the colors reversed: it had in fact become the flag of Ireland.

The results of the sixteenths according to Gemini

• Germany vs Paraguay: The depth of the German squad prevails over the South American team.
• France vs Sweden: Too much technical and physical superiority for the Transalpines.
• South Africa vs Canada: Canada uses the boost of being one of the co-host countries to advance to the round.
• Holland vs Morocco: Very difficult challenge and rematch in 2022, but the Netherlands narrowly prevails
• Portugal vs Croatia: A great European classic; Portugal wins against a Croatia now at the end of the generation cycle
• Spain vs Austria: Ball possession and Spanish quality dominate the match
• United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Pushed by the home crowd, the USA passes easily
• Belgium vs Senegal: Very balanced challenge, Belgium prevails thanks to its experience in international tournaments.
• Brazil vs Japan: The Japanese fight until the end, but Brazil has too much quality up front
• Ireland vs Norway: Norwegian attacking talents (like Haaland and Ødegaard) make the difference
• Mexico vs Ecuador: Playing practically “at home” in North America, Mexico goes through
• England vs DR Congo: No problem for the Three Lions
• Argentina vs Cape Verde: The Albiceleste passes smoothly without too many difficulties
• Australia vs Egypt: The Socceroos win a very physical match by exploiting dead balls
• Switzerland vs Algeria: The usual Swiss solidity in tournaments prevails in a tactical match
• Colombia vs Ghana: The Cafeteros advance thanks to the creativity of their attacking midfielders

The results of the round of 16 according to Gemini

• Germany vs France: A classic of European football. France, with its mix of explosiveness and tactics, eliminates a still solid Germany
• Canada vs Holland: Canada’s beautiful dream ends here. Holland is too organised
• Portugal vs Spain: Iberian Derby. The freshness of the young Spanish midfield gets the better of the Portuguese individuality
• United States vs Belgium: The Upsets! The energy of the home crowd pushes the USA to overcome a Belgium that is struggling to find the rhythm
• Brazil vs Norway: The Norwegian defense is unable to contain the pure talent of the green and gold
• Mexico vs England: Hot match, but England prevailed with cynicism and pragmatism
• Argentina vs Australia: Rematch of the 2022 round of 16. The outcome is the same: Argentina passes
• Switzerland vs Colombia: Colombia manages to break down the Swiss wall in a match full of spectacular plays

The results of the quarterfinals according to Gemini

• France vs Holland: The firepower of the French attack proved lethal in the crucial stages of the tournament. Les Bleus pass
• Spain vs United States: The heroic journey of the USA is shattered by the Spanish dribble, which “puts the game to sleep” and hits at the right time
• Brazil vs England: Epic match. England and Brazil compete head-on, but England win with a tactical masterclass and a goal from a dead ball
• Argentina vs Colombia: A very tough South American clash full of cards. Argentina’s winning mentality makes the difference in the final minutes

The results of the semi-finals according to Gemini

• France vs Spain: A clash of styles. The Iberian Tiki-Taka against the French lightning transitions. France’s physicality and bursts of speed lead the French team to the final
• England vs Argentina: One of the most heated and historic rivalries in world football. After a 120-minute battle, Argentina prevails, perhaps on penalties, breaking the hearts of the English again

The results of the Final according to Gemini

Here Gemini aimed for a rematch: France against Argentina, exactly like for the 2022 World Championships in Qatar. It would be a historic achievementCertain. We are talking about the third final in four editions of the World Cup for Argentina. And we’re talking about the third final in three editions of the World Cup for France. The victory? We leave you Gemini’s answer:

“In this simulation, driven by the desire to avenge the defeat of four years earlier and being able to count on a squad at the height of competitive maturity, France manages to prevail over the Albiceleste, becoming the 2026 World Champion!”