EA Sports names Spain as favorite for 2026 World Cup after series of accurate predictions. EA Sports has once again held a virtual World Cup simulation and backed Spain as the champion. The company has correctly predicted the winner four times in a row. Now all eyes are on the tournament kickoff and the new forecast.
Spain is in the spotlight ahead of the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: EA Sports has released the results of its traditional virtual simulation, which names the Spanish national team as the main contender for the title. This forecast has drawn special attention, as the previous four EA Sports simulations have consistently matched real World Cup results—from Spain's victory in 2010 to Argentina's triumph in 2022.
The official announcement appeared on the EA Sports FC account on social network X, accompanied by a digital image of Spanish players celebrating victory in the virtual arena. The publication highlighted the one hundred percent accuracy of previous forecasts and emphasized that the new simulation once again placed Spain at the top. The news quickly spread across sports media and generated excitement among fans and experts, especially given Spain’s status as one of the tournament favorites.
The virtual forecast was based on updated player ratings, tactical analysis, fresh statistics, and the simulation of thousands of tournaments using the game engine. According to EA Sports, this approach has allowed the company to predict the future World Cup champion four times in a row before the matches even began. This time, the simulation points to Luis de la Fuente’s team, which, according to the calculations, should claim its second title in history on July 19 in New Jersey—16 years after their victory in South Africa.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and an updated tournament format. The international version of EA Sports FC 26 includes 53 licensed teams and a special mode adapted to the new FIFA rules. In a virtual tournament, Spain was crowned champion, although France, England, Argentina, and Portugal were also among the favorites. Following the draw, Spain landed in Group H, alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The team will play its first match on June 15 against the African side.
Spain’s squad combines young stars like Lamine Yamal with experienced players such as Pedri and Rodri, raising expectations for the team’s performance. While the EA Sports simulation is not an official forecast, the company’s history of accurate predictions gives it considerable credibility. Ahead of the tournament, other analytical models are also fueling interest in the Spanish team: for example, Opta Analysts’ supercomputer placed Spain first in terms of winning probability, estimating its chances at 16.1%—higher than France and England.
In the history of the World Cup, only eight countries have won football’s top trophy: Brazil (5 times), Italy and Germany (4 each), Argentina (3), France and Uruguay (2 each), England and Spain (1 each). The remaining 40 teams are still competing for the chance to make history on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Notably, the final Spanish World Cup squad was announced without any players from the Madrid club, as previously reported in the article about Spain’s 2026 World Cup roster: details on the coaching staff’s decision.
According to available data, EA Sports' virtual predictions are becoming a significant factor in discussions about the favorites for major tournaments. However, the final result will be decided on the field—and all eyes are now on the start of the World Cup in the USA. For Spain, this is a chance to repeat their 2010 success and strengthen their position among football's global elite.
