World Cup 2026: Chris Sutton’s Final Group Predictions – and What They Mean for England

World Cup 2026 predictions are heating up, and BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton has just delivered his calls for the final round of group games. With Belgium staring at an early exit and Cape Verde stunning everyone, England are pushing through Group L with one target in mind: sealing a place in the knockout stages.

Sutton vs AI vs the Fans: Who Predicts Best?

Chris Sutton got 14 results correct across the 24 group games in the second round, up from 12 in the opening set of fixtures. The BBC’s AI did even better, climbing from 13 to 15 out of 24. But it was the users of the BBC’s predictor game who made the biggest improvement of all.

Cape Verde have become the face of this tournament’s unpredictability. After holding Spain to a draw, they followed it up by holding Uruguay. Yet 99.65% of predictor players had backed them to lose against Spain, and 83% still expected a defeat to Uruguay.

England in Group L: The Road to the Knockouts

England are in Group L at World Cup 2026, with Croatia among their group-stage opponents under Thomas Tuchel. Unlike Belgium, who are battling to avoid an early exit, England head into the final round of fixtures aiming to top the group and secure a smoother knockout draw.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain the spine of Tuchel’s side, blending experience with creativity. A positive result in the final group game would lock in qualification and keep England clear of the bigger hitters in the first knockout round.

Belgium Out? What It Means for the Bracket

Belgium’s potential group-stage elimination would reshape the entire knockout bracket. A traditional powerhouse dropping out early means one fewer obstacle on England’s path deeper into the tournament.

Cape Verde’s shocks, however, are a clear warning that no opponent can be taken lightly. For England, staying focused in the final group game is essential to avoid a tricky last-16 matchup.

FAQ