Welcome to The Athletic’s daily World Cup Predictions.This article gives you the lowdown on all today’s games but with the bonus of some friendly competition…Throughout the tournament, we will have two Athletic writers (Andy Jones or Elias Burke — with help from our experts from each of the 48 countries) pitting our soccer knowledge against a different Athletic subscriber each day and “Algo”, the shiny new algorithm from The Athletic, which is making its computerised debut during the World Cup.Oh, and a dog called Stanley and a six-year-old called Wilfred (who some of you may remember from last season’s Premier League predictions).Our guest subscriber today is Joao from Portugal, who supports Portugal and Sporting CP. Good luck!If you would like to apply to be our guest subscriber for a day during this tournament, please follow the instructions in the article here.What happened on Matchday 12?The Lionel Messi Cup continued as the 38-year-old was once again the star of the show as Argentina beat Austria 2-0. It was another historic moment for the Inter Miami forward as he became the tournament’s record goalscorer, netting his 17th and 18th goals to move past Germany’s Miroslav Klose.It confirmed a full house for the predictors to begin the matchday — yes, even Stanley won’t pick against the GOAT (that’s right, Cristiano Ronaldo fans, I said it).One player who has his sights set on Messi’s new record is France striker Kylian Mbappe, who took his own total to 15 when he scored his third goal of the tournament to give his side the lead against Iraq with a terrific arrowed finish from the edge of the area.Lionel Messi is now the record goalscorer at the World Cup (Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)A rainstorm may have delayed the start of the second half by two hours, but it did not rain on the parade of the predictors who all picked a France win and meant we all were two out of two. Stanley may have taken being the underdog too literally as he has ground to make up, but his tactical tweak of picking favourites is making sure the gap isn’t growing any further to the top.Clearly, it isn’t always sunny in Philadelphia, but when the action did eventually restart almost 90 minutes later, France and Mbappe picked up where they left off. For the second successive game, Iraq were the masters of their own downfall when trying to play out from the back, gifting Mbappe his second and his 16th World Cup goal. Ousmane Dembele added a third, his first goal at a major tournament at the 20th attempt.Messi scored two, Mbappe scored two, so of course, Erling Haaland scored two as he led Norway to a 3-2 victory over Senegal.Results from June 22, 2026 TA ExpertsThe AlgoReader PicksWilfred (age 6)Stanley the DogNorwaySenegal draw NOR NOR NOR draw FranceIraq FRA FRA FRA FRA FRA ArgentinaAustria ARG ARG ARG ARG ARG JordanAlgeria ALG ALG draw ALG ALG Twice Norway looked to be cruising to victory when they had a 2-0 advantage through goals from first-half substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen and Haaland and when they led 3-1. But Ismaila Sarr scored his own double to drag his team back into the match.We had some variation in the predictions for this one. Algo, subscriber JT and Wilfred went with Norway while the Athletic experts went for a draw along with Stanley. This expert sank to his knees in front of the TV at 3am UK when Sarr headed over from close range with seconds remaining which would have secured Senegal an unlikely point.In the final match of the day, Mikel Arteta’s Algeria, sorry, Vladimir Petkovic’s Algeria, came back from one goal down to deny Jordan their first World Cup point, scoring from two corners.Jordan had taken the lead through Nizar Al Rashdan after 36 minutes and it looked like it might be their day as Algeria struggled to find a way through. That was until Nadhir Benbouali headed in Riyad Mahrez’s corner to equalise on 69 minutes.As the clock ticked down, subscriber JT was the only predictor set to pick up a point, but Amine Gouiri was quickest to react to a loose ball from another corner to give Algeria the lead with eight minutes remaining.With only four games left of the second round of group matches, it was a strong day for Algo and Wilfred, who both got all four predictions correct. Algo (29) now leads by three points from the Athletic experts (26) with Wilfred (25) pulling ahead of the subscribers (24).OverallaccuracyCorrectpicksBeststreakThe algorithm66%296TA experts59%264Wilfred (age 6)57%255Reader picks55%244Stanley the dog43%193How do the predictions work?It’s pretty simple: we will give you some background on each game, players to watch and facts on the two teams. Then we will predict the outcome: a WIN for one of the two teams, or a DRAW.We will maintain a leaderboard of how everyone gets on with their predictions (ranked by the percentage they get correct) and a record of “streaks” — the number of predictions everyone gets right in a row. These streaks form a crucial part of The Athletic’s interactive Soccer Pick’Ems feature, allowing you to make your own picks every round as well.So come along and get involved, and check back each day to see how we are getting on in the leaderboard — and probably more importantly, whether you, the subscribers, or Stanley or Wilfred are beating us.Or, worst of all, whether ‘Algo’ can prove data and statistics know all when it comes to predicting.Good luck, and enjoy!Why not try The Athletic’s World Cup Tracker, where you can find a forecast projecting the likelihood that each team will progress through each stage of the tournament, along with a bracket projecting the most likely round of 32 matchups, current standings and a bunch of other neat forecasts and scenarios.Predictions for Matchday 13Portugal vs Uzbekistan, Group K, kick-off 1pm ET, 6pm BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), ITV (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 2/5. You would expect Portugal to bounce back from their disappointing draw and not make the same mistakes in their in possession play, but Uzbekistan have a blueprint from the DR Congo as to how to frustrate them.Watch Rating: 3/5. Surely the creative talent in the Portugal squad will not produce another performance as dull as their first game of the tournament.The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Portugal were one of the big teams to suffer a shock result in their first game as they drew 1-1 with DR Congo. When Roberto Martinez’s side took a sixth-minute lead, given the talent on the pitch, the expectation was they would go on to earn three points.“Instead, they were left frustrated and looked toothless on the ball. Despite having 75 per cent possession, they managed just seven shots, only one of which was on target. After they conceded the equaliser just before half time, they were unable to find a way through in the second half.“Portugal has to solve their Cristiano Ronaldo problem. A number of the tournament’s superstars have already announced themselves on the world stage but the 41-year-old was unable to replicate that. If they are going to continue to pick him, then Martinez needs to figure out a better way to use him than for him to stand offside for large portions of the game.Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated during Portugal’s draw with DR Congo in their first group match (Molly Darlington/Getty Images)“Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro has a tactical plan of how to nullify Portugal that he can look to follow after DR Congo’s success at limiting the European side to few chances. After their 3-1 defeat to Colombia, where they improved in the second half, they face another uphill challenge.“The former Italy captain will want his team to show more attacking ambition. While they did grow into the game, Uzbekistan became the first team to fail to record a single touch in the opposition box during the first half of a match in the tournament. Their first touch in the opponent’s box came in the 60th minute, which came in the build-up to their first ever World Cup goal.”The Athletic Experts: PORTUGAL WINGuest subscriber Joao: PORTUGAL WINSix-year-old Wilfred: PORTUGAL WINStanley the Dog: DRAWAlgo: PORTUGAL WINOur picks for June 23, 2026 TA ExpertsThe AlgoReader PicksWilfred (age 6)Stanley the DogEnglandGhana ENG ENG draw ENG ENG PanamaCroatia CRO CRO CRO CRO draw PortugalUzbekistan POR POR POR POR draw ColombiaD.R. Congo COL COL COL COL COL England vs Ghana, Group L, kick-off 4pm ET, 9pm BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), BBC (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 2/5. If England play like they did in the second half against Croatia then this should be straightforward. If they are as defensively vulnerable as they were in the first half, then Ghana may sense an opportunity.Watch Rating: 4/5. Both teams triumphed in their opening game and therefore, that does take the pressure off. Hopefully that means both teams go for the win because there is no fear of elimination. If England carry the momentum from the second half against Croatia, then it should be an open and enjoyable contest.The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “We saw two sides of England in their 4-2 victory against Croatia and head coach Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that the second half is how his team continues to perform throughout the rest of the tournament.“England took the lead twice in the first half, both via set pieces, but then allowed Croatia to gain a foothold in the game which led to them exposing defensive vulnerabilities by scoring two well-worked goals. Coach Anthony Barry’s scathing assessment during the half-time interview he gave to ITV was echoed in the dressing room.“They were a different team after the break, with Jude Bellingham excellent and the depth available to Tuchel on show when he made a triple change to bring on Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka. Crucially for England, their main man, Harry Kane, got off the mark scoring twice.Harry Kane has brought his Bundesliga form to the World Cup so far (Alex Pantling/FIFA via Getty Images)“Our England reporter Jack Pitt-Brooke says: ‘The mood at the England camp over the last few days has been calm and relaxed, thanks to the fact that they played so well in their 4-2 win in the opening game against Croatia in Dallas. The only injury question mark appears to be over Bukayo Saka. So they’re in good spirits ahead of their second game against Ghana.’“Ghana’s victory over Panama was dramatic as it looked like the game was heading for a 0-0 draw until standout performer Caleb Yirenkyi was in the right place at the right time to net a 95th-minute winner.“It had not been an impressive performance from Ghana, who had struggled to involve star forward Antoine Semenyo against a well-drilled Panama team. They will need to be much improved to compete against an England side riding high on confidence.”The Athletic Experts: ENGLAND WINGuest subscriber Joao: DRAWSix-year-old Wilfred: ENGLAND WINStanley the Dog: ENGLAND WINAlgo: ENGLAND WINPanama vs Croatia, Group L, kick-off 7pm ET, 12am (midnight) BSTWhere to watch: FOX (U.S.), BBC (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 2/5. This should be a comfortable enough victory for Croatia but the nature of their defeat to England left it unclear how good they actually are. Panama need to improve their threat in possession if they want to cause a surprise.Watch Rating: 3/5. After Panama and Croatia were both beaten in their opening game, this practically becomes a must-win if either side want to keep their qualification hopes alive. That should bring some drama to the action, even if the football isn’t free-flowing.The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Despite a 4-2 defeat to England, Croatia showed they still possess the flashes of quality which can hurt any team. Their two first-half goals were both excellently worked and it underlined their resilience to bounce back from going behind twice.“The second half though, showed that they are not quite the team that reached the final and semi-final in the last two World Cups respectively. The golden generation is on its way out and the younger talent replacing them is not quite of the same standard. That showed in the second half when they were outclassed by a rampant England side.“Panama suffered a heartbreaking defeat in their opening game against Ghana after conceding in the 95th minute to leave them still searching for their first World Cup point. It was a low-quality match and a game of few chances.Panama lost to Antoine Semenyo’s Ghana in their first group match (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)“It was a game that felt must-not-lose if not must-win, and the defeat leaves Panama with an uphill task to keep their qualification hopes alive. They did dominate the ball against Ghana (65 per cent possession) and had more shots (12) and shots on target (4), but their xG of 0.7 showed that the opportunities they were creating were low quality.“One of the weaknesses England exposed against Croatia was their struggles defending corners. England won a penalty and scored directly from corners, as well as consistently looking a threat. Panama had no joy from the two corners they had against Ghana but it should be an area they try and exploit.”The Athletic Experts: CROATIA WINGuest subscriber Joao: CROATIA WINSix-year-old Wilfred: CROATIA WINStanley the Dog: DRAWAlgo: CROATIA WINColombia vs DR Congo, Group K, kick-off 10pm ET, 3am BSTWhere to watch: FS1 (U.S.), ITV (UK)Streak Risk Factor: 3/5. DR Congo showed that they can suffer and survive against an opponent with elite attacking options. Colombia will be looking at Luis Diaz to unlock Congo’s stubborn defence, but it won’t be easy if they replicate their performance against Portugal.Watch Rating: 2/5. If DR Congo’s plan is to frustrate, and why shouldn’t it be when it has been successful, then it could require patience from Colombia and the viewers. Uzbekistan did show that you can create chances against Colombia, so that should give DR Congo encouragement to be more proactive.The Athletic Soccer Experts say: “Backed by their vocal support in the stands, Colombia were on top in the first half in their first game against Uzbekistan, but were unable to continue that dominance in the second half. The game became closer and more nervy than it should have been after Uzbekistan halved the deficit on the hour mark. Still, they ran out deserving winners.“If Luis Diaz can continue the form he is in, then Colombia are always going to pose a threat. His assist for Daniel Munoz, the first goal in their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, showed off his vision and passing range. He was slightly fortunate that his goal, which doubled his team’s lead, squirmed through the grasp of Utkir Yusupov, but he was their main man throughout. He has been involved in a goal in each of his last six competitive appearances for his country (four goals and four assists).“DR Congo showed that it would be wrong to underestimate them as they secured what could prove to be a vital point against Portugal. They have a number of players in their team with top-level experience and that showed with their cohesive defensive performance.“They did not offer a lot in attack, but when they had possession they were direct and effective, registering more shots and a higher expected goals tally than their opponents. Yoane Wissa put a year of misery at Newcastle United behind him to head in the equaliser and they will need him and strike partner Cedric Bakambu to be clinical.”The Athletic Experts: COLOMBIA WINGuest subscriber Joao: COLOMBIA WINSix-year-old Wilfred: COLOMBIA WINStanley the Dog: COLOMBIA WINAlgo: COLOMBIA WIN