We’re only a few days away from the biggest sporting tournament in the world as nations across the globe gear up for the World Cup, and whilst many are predicting who they think will come out on top, EA SPORTS have already done the job for us.
They’ve once again simulated the entire World Cup in FIFA 23 to predict the story of the tournament. EA SPORTS has an impressive record when it comes to predicting the World Cup winners pre-tournament. They correctly predicted Spain to win the tournament in 2010, Germany to triumph in 2014 and more recently France to lift the trophy in 2018. Three of the best from EA. Can they make it 4-in-a-row?
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After simulating all 64 World Cup 2022 matches in FIFA 23, this time EA SPORTS are predicting that Argentina will be crowned World Champions in December.
Argentina’s G.O.A.T. has one more chance to fill the only empty shelf in his trophy cabinet. They’ve been knocked out by the eventual champions in both of the last two World Cups, just as they had in six (yes, six!) straight Copa Americas. But the Albicelestes broke that curse in 2021 as Messi lifted his first international trophy, reminding the world that they’re real contenders to lift the trophy this December. It’s a team driven by two generations, with Argentina’s demi-gods Messi, Di Maria, and Dybala leading a new generation of stars in Lautaro Martinez, Christian Romero, and goalkeeping revelation Emi Martinez.
EA’s simulation has them winning all three group stage games and a 2-1 round of 16 triumph against Denmark, before sneaking past the Netherlands and France 1-0 to set up an all South American final against their great rivals Brazil and another tight 1-0 win to win the tournament.
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Regardless of who stands in their way though, La Selección know that if they want to be the best this year, they’ll finally have to beat the best.
Unfortunately for England fans, the predictor suggests that it will be heartbreak in the Last 16 following a 3-1 defeat by the Netherlands.
Even though EA SPORTS think they’ve got the tournament sussed, there are still a plethora of teams with a great chance of lifting the famous trophy. Whilst EA SPORTS and fans are predicting the South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina to go far in the tournament, you can’t rule out reigning champions France and the efficient Germany.
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In addition to these teams, there is also the number one ranked nation in the world, Belgium, with the Netherlands improving and the technically gifted Spain. There’s also the possibility for a potential fairytale for Cristiano Ronaldo, finally winning football’s top prize in his last international tournament, while England seek to go a step further than their Euro 2020 final heartbreak.
Whilst the prediction of France as winners of the 2018 World Cup was perfect, the tournament didn’t play out exactly as EA SPORTS predicted. For example, the simulator predicted that Colombia would beat England on penalties. Whilst impressively they predicted penalties, England fans will remember Jordan Pickford’s heroics to send England through to the Quarter-Finals.
It’s time to make your predictions for the 2022 World Cup, will France make it back-to-back wins? How close will England get to bringing football home? Head on over to the EA SPORTS FIFA Predictor to have your say on this year’s World Cup.
Thomas Thorn