Opta Analyst
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FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions: The Opta Supercomputer Projections Ahead of the Semi-Finals
We’re down to the final four of the 2026 World Cup. Which of France, Spain, England and Argentina are likeliest to go all the way, though? We ask the Opta supercomputer. The post FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions: The Opta Supercomputer Projections Ahead of the Semi-Finals appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet) Stats: Alvarez and Martínez’s Extra-Time Goals Tee up England Semi-Final
Argentina booked their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup after getting the better of Switzerland, who had Breel Embolo sent off. The post Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet) Stats: Alvarez and Martínez’s Extra-Time Goals Tee up England Semi-Final appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Most Assists at the World Cup
Who has the most assists at the FIFA World Cup finals? Now that Opta has this data back to 1966, we list the players with the most assists in the competition since that edition. The post Most Assists at the World Cup appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bellingham or Bust: England’s Man of ‘the Moment’ Delivers Yet Again
England haven't been entirely convincing despite reaching the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, but in Jude Bellingham they have a player capable of tipping the scales, as he proved again. The post Bellingham or Bust: England’s Man of ‘the Moment’ Delivers Yet Again appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Most FIFA World Cup Appearances by a Player
Here are the players who combined longevity and excellence to make the most World Cup appearances as a player. The post Most FIFA World Cup Appearances by a Player appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Norway 1-2 England (aet) Stats: Bellingham Leads Comeback to Seal Semi-Final Berth
Two of the world’s best strikers face off as Norway play England in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check out the key data from the game with our Norway vs England stats page. The post Norway 1-2 England (aet) Stats: Bellingham Leads Comeback to Seal Semi-Final Berth appeared first on Opta Analyst .
2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and the Stars in Contention
Who will win the Golden Boot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Here, we track the leading contenders as the goals fly in. The post 2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and the Stars in Contention appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Jordan Pickford Becomes England’s Most-Capped Player in World Cup Games
Jordan Pickford is set to break Peter Shilton's record as the England player with the most appearances in men's World Cup history. The post Jordan Pickford Becomes England’s Most-Capped Player in World Cup Games appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina vs Switzerland Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Lionel Messi and Argentina are still in the FIFA World Cup, albeit by the skin of their teeth. We look ahead to Saturday’s quarter-final clash with our Argentina vs Switzerland prediction and preview. The post Argentina vs Switzerland Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Norway vs England Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Two of the world’s best strikers go to battle as Norway face England in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The post Norway vs England Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
2026 World Cup Bracket: Opta Supercomputer Knockout-Stage Predictions
Our 2026 World Cup bracket plots your team's progress to glory and using the latest Opta supercomputer predictions for each stage. The post 2026 World Cup Bracket: Opta Supercomputer Knockout-Stage Predictions appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Spain 2-1 Belgium Stats: Merino Punishes Lammens Error to Tee up Semi-Final Showdown With France
Spain will face France for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, after Mikel Merino provided the heroics once again to down Belgium. The post Spain 2-1 Belgium Stats: Merino Punishes Lammens Error to Tee up Semi-Final Showdown With France appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup
Who are the oldest FIFA World Cup scorers? We look back at the 10 oldest men to score a goal at the tournament, plus some other age-related goal records. The post The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Captain, Creator, and Everything In Between: How Martin Ødegaard is Leading the Charge for Norway
Norway have exceeded expectations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and captain Martin Ødegaard has been key to their success. The post Captain, Creator, and Everything In Between: How Martin Ødegaard is Leading the Charge for Norway appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Most Assists at a Single World Cup Tournament
We look at the players who have managed the most assists at individual editions of the men's World Cup. The post Most Assists at a Single World Cup Tournament appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Oldest Players in World Cup History
Who are the oldest players in World Cup history? Here, we go through the oldest 10 players to feature in a World Cup finals match. The post The Oldest Players in World Cup History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Highest-Scoring World Cup Games in History
We look back at the highest-scoring World Cup games in the history of the tournament. The post The Highest-Scoring World Cup Games in History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Biggest World Cup Wins
We look back at the biggest World Cup wins in the history of the men's competition. The post The Biggest World Cup Wins appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Most FIFA World Cup Goals: The Top Scorers
Who has scored the most goals at the World Cup? We look over the top scorers in men’s FIFA World Cup history, since the competition began in 1930. The post Most FIFA World Cup Goals: The Top Scorers appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Most Goals Scored by a Player in a Single FIFA World Cup Tournament
Fontaine holds the record for the most goals scored at a single tournament, with 13 goals in 1958. But who else makes the list? The post Most Goals Scored by a Player in a Single FIFA World Cup Tournament appeared first on Opta Analyst .
FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks: The Facts
There have been 57 hat-tricks scored in men’s FIFA World Cup finals tournaments. We give a rundown of the best facts about World Cup hat-tricks, as well as a definitive list of every single World Cup hat-trick scored. The post FIFA World Cup Hat-Tricks: The Facts appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bruno Guimarães: What Newcastle’s Heartbeat Would Bring to Arsenal
Reports suggest Arsenal are after Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães. We assess his qualities and what makes the Brazilian a key target for Mikel Arteta. The post Bruno Guimarães: What Newcastle’s Heartbeat Would Bring to Arsenal appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Six Things England Must (Try to) Do to Beat Norway
England have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but they now face a dangerous Norway side in the last eight. Here is what they need to do to progress. The post Six Things England Must (Try to) Do to Beat Norway appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Spain vs Belgium Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Can Rudi Garcia’s side breach Spain’s impenetrable defence? We look ahead to Friday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final with our Spain vs Belgium prediction and preview. The post Spain vs Belgium Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France 2-0 Morocco Stats: Mbappé Scores, Assists and Sees Penalty Saved in Quarter-Final Win
Kylian Mbappé scored, assisted and was denied from the penalty spot as France overcame Morocco in this FIFA World Cup quarter-final tie. The post France 2-0 Morocco Stats: Mbappé Scores, Assists and Sees Penalty Saved in Quarter-Final Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
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