The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals are here.
And the Opta supercomputer has spoken.
In today’s Stat, Viz, Quiz, we look at which team is our model’s World Cup favourites, examine why this is officially the oldest World Cup on record, and test your memory with a comeback-inspired quiz.
We also answer a reader question on just how rare it is to overturn a 2-0 deficit at a World Cup, and why Belgium and Argentina have already helped make history in 2026.
🔮 STAT - Allez Les Bleus
Heading into the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, France are still the favourites to emerge victorious according to the Opta supercomputer.
Didier Deschamps’ men were given a 13.0% likelihood of winning the tournament before a ball was kicked in North America, 3.1 percentage points fewer than pre-tournament favourites, Spain.