Online Reporter
ARGENTINA and France will do it all over again in the World Cup final, according to a supercomputer.
A repeat of the 2022 showpiece is the most likely outcome at the 2026 World Cup now that the group stage has been completed.
The computer provides a percentage for each team showing the likelihood of how far they will progress. Based on those, the supercomputer has given England a high chance of reaching the semi-finals, but other teams are better equipped to go even further.
Thomas Tuchel‘s men are given the third best chance of reaching the semis with a 42 per cent hope, behind 2018 winners France (50 per cent) and holders Argentina (58 per cent).
If England are to make it that far they must first beat DR Congo in the round of 32 before playing either Ecuador or Mexico, and the winner of that will face one of Brazil, Japan, Norway or Ivory Coast in the quarters.
This will then set up a semi-final against Argentina’s quarter of the draw.
But, based on the percentages, the supercomputer is predicting that will be where it all ends for England. It’s given Argentina and France the highest chance of reaching the final at 34 and 31 per cent respectively.
England in comparison are given a 27 per cent hope of being in New Jersey on July 19.
Argentina have undoubtedly got the easiest route on paper. First, they face minnows Cape Verde in the round of 32, then it’s Australia or Egypt in the last 16, followed by a quarter-final containing one of Ghana, Colombia, Algeria or Switzerland.
It could take until the semi-final for Lionel Messi‘s men to face their first proper test, with one of Brazil or England in the last four looking most likely.
Argentina have been given the highest percentage chance to progress through every round except the final, where the supercomputer gives France the edge. France are predicted to win the whole tournament with a 21 per cent hope.
But things won’t be easy for 2022’s beaten finalists.Didier Deschamps‘ men have a tricky test against Sweden in their round of 32 clash, with the winner then facing either Germany or Paraguay.
The winner of that will go on to play one of South Africa, Canada, Netherlands or Morocco in the quarter-final.
And after that, in the semi-final, one of those teams will clash with Spain and Portugal‘s quarter of the draw.The supercomputer expects France to beat whoever they face in the semi-final and go on to beat their 2022 foes Argentina in the final.
It would be a historic end to Deschamps’ 14-year tenure at the helm, in which he’s already won one World Cup in 2018. —Sun.
