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Why EA Sports’ World Cup prediction record is going viral again
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- Why EA Sports’ World Cup prediction record is going viral again
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The claimed EA Sports simulation naming Portugal as 2026 World Cup favourites has caught attention because it is not just another social media prediction. It comes attached to one of football gaming's strangest recent streaks.
A report claiming Portugal had been picked has naturally travelled quickly, because EA Sports' World Cup forecasts have become part of tournament folklore. Fans remember them because several of the most recent calls landed.
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Portugal have not won anything because of a video game. But EA's track record is why this claim has become such a lively pre-tournament talking point.
EA Sports' World Cup streak is why the Portugal claim has exploded
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
The appeal starts with EA's history. The company predicted Germany to win the 2014 World Cup , and Germany went on to lift the trophy in Brazil .
Four years later, EA predicted France to win the 2018 World Cup. France then beat Croatia in the final in Moscow.
The streak became even more notable when EA predicted Argentina in 2022. Argentina later won the tournament in Qatar , which gave future EA simulation claims obvious viral power.
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Portugal are exactly the kind of pick that makes the claim interesting
Portugal are not a random name in the 2026 conversation. Their profile, talent pool and tournament pedigree make them the kind of side fans would naturally take seriously.
That wider respect has already shown up in the build-up, with Vinicius Jr having named Portugal among the strongest contenders for the next World Cup.
There is also wider prediction chatter around Portugal, which shows how quickly their name catches attention. That does not make them certain winners, but it does explain the fascination.
The sensible view is simple. Portugal have not been handed the 2026 World Cup by a video game, but EA's recent streak makes this claimed prediction genuinely hard for fans to ignore.
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