EA Sports correctly predicts 2026 World Cup champion for fifth consecutive tournament

EA Sports used its simulation system in the EA Sports FC 26 video game to forecast the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the official X account the company announced that Spain would lift the trophy, a prediction that proved accurate when Spain defeated Argentina 1‑0 after extra time with a goal by Ferran Torres.

This marks EA Sports' fifth straight correct champion prediction: Spain in 2010, Germany in 2014, France in 2018, Argentina in 2022 and Spain again in 2026. Although the firm no longer holds an official FIFA licence, it released an update titled “The World’s Game” alongside the tournament. The same simulation method has been used for other sports events, with mixed success, such as predicting eight out of fifteen Super Bowl winners.

The repeated accuracy has drawn attention to EA Sports' modelling approach, highlighting its influence in both gaming and sports commentary circles.