With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off across North America, MyFM Sports Director Dylan Potemri has released his full tournament predictions, from the group stage all the way through the championship match.
The expanded 48-team tournament promises surprises, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments, and Dylan’s bracket certainly includes a few upsets along the way.
Group Stage Winners
Dylan predicts several traditional powers will finish atop their groups, including Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. However, he also believes a few underdogs could make noise early, with Ecuador, Turkey, Korea Republic, and Switzerland all projected to win their respective groups.
The United States is predicted to advance out of Group D, finishing second behind Turkey, while Canada narrowly misses out on automatic qualification after finishing third in Group B.
Potential Cinderella Runs
Every World Cup has its surprise teams, and Dylan believes Morocco could once again make a deep run after their historic semifinal appearance in 2022. He has Morocco advancing to the quarterfinals after victories over the Netherlands and Bosnia before eventually falling to France.
Bosnia is another surprise pick, with Dylan projecting them to advance out of Group B and upset Mexico in the Round of 32.
Turkey is also expected to make a strong run, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual finalist Spain.
Knockout Stage Highlights
The Round of 16 features several intriguing matchups, including:
- France vs. Japan
- Spain vs. Algeria
- Argentina vs. United States
- England vs. DR Congo
- Portugal vs. Switzerland
- Brazil vs. Sweden
Among Dylan’s biggest knockout-stage upsets:
- Morocco defeats the Netherlands
- Portugal eliminates Argentina
- Norway knocks out Germany
- Spain defeats France in the semifinals
Final Four
After navigating a challenging path through the bracket, Dylan’s Final Four consists of:
- Spain
- France
- England
- Portugal
In the semifinals, Spain defeats France while England gets past Portugal to set up a heavyweight European showdown in the final.
Meanwhile, France rebounds to defeat Portugal in the Third Place Match.
The Championship Match
Dylan’s predicted World Cup Final features two of Europe’s most talented squads:
Spain vs. England
Spain enters the tournament with one of the deepest young rosters in international football, while England boasts a star-studded lineup loaded with Premier League talent and international experience.
In the end, Dylan believes Spain’s combination of possession, creativity, and attacking depth proves too much.
Dylan’s Prediction:
🏆 Spain 3, England 1
Spain captures the 2026 FIFA World Cup championship and adds another star to its historic international resume.
Will Dylan’s predictions come true? We’ll find out over the next 39 days as the world’s biggest sporting event unfolds across North America.
Be sure to follow the MyFM World Cup Updates throughout the tournament as Dylan Potemri provides daily on-air and written coverage of every major storyline, presented by the MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau.
For information on local World Cup viewing opportunities and MetroWest Regional Fan Zones, visit:
