The Premier League season ended in May, and Chris Sutton’s weekly predictions column won’t return until the new season starts in August. For the next 5-6 weeks, the only Sutton predictions content covers the 2026 FIFA World Cup — which kicks off in Mexico on Thursday 11 June and runs until the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July.
Sutton has gone on record with his World Cup predictions in BBC Sport’s pundit roundup. Here’s what the former Celtic and Blackburn striker — and one of the most consistently accurate BBC tipsters — is backing across the tournament.
Chris Sutton’s World Cup 2026 Predictions at a Glance
| Prediction | Sutton’s Pick |
|---|---|
| Tournament winner | France |
| Beaten finalist | Spain (implied, “outstanding team”) |
| Dark horses | Ecuador and Japan |
| Scotland in Group C | To beat Haiti; could finish higher than third |
| Key Scotland player | Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth) |
| Track record | Backed France in 2018 and 2022 — “wasn’t far wrong” |
Chris Sutton’s World Cup 2026 Winner Prediction: France
Sutton has backed France to win the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament. He told BBC Sport: “Spain are an outstanding team but I’ve gone for France to win the past two World Cups and I wasn’t far wrong. I am not going to change my mind now — they didn’t really click at the last Euros but I look at their frontline and think they will be hard to stop.”
The Sutton track record matters. France reached the 2022 World Cup final (losing on penalties to Argentina) and won the 2018 World Cup outright. Backing them in both tournaments was either a correct call (2018) or a final-narrowly-missed call (2022). His logic for 2026: the French attacking depth is unmatched.
Among the BBC pundits surveyed, France received 9 votes (Sutton, Scott Brown, Gael Clichy, Rachel Corsie, Olivier Giroud, Danny Murphy, Paul Robinson, Tony Pulis, Alan Shearer). England received 7 votes. Spain received 1 vote (Micah Richards).
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Chris Sutton’s Dark Horse Picks: Ecuador and Japan
Sutton picked two dark horses — both with specific reasoning rooted in tournament football experience.
On Ecuador: “I am not sure Ecuador will score enough goals with 36-year-old Enner Valencia leading their line but they are one of my picks.” The defensive logic is strong — Ecuador’s qualifying defensive record was outstanding, with Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Willian Pacho (PSG) and Piero Hincapie (Arsenal) all comfortable in a high-altitude tournament environment.
On Japan: “I became a bit of a celebrity in Japan when I correctly backed them to beat Germany at the last World Cup, or at least I appeared on TV over there to talk about it anyway. They have got some excellent technical players and will be dangerous, whoever they play.”
The Japan call carries personal tipping pedigree. Sutton correctly backed Japan to beat Germany 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup — one of the most memorable upsets of that tournament. His Japan pick in 2026 isn’t a hunch; it’s a follow-through on tactical reasoning that landed last time.
Among the other BBC pundits surveyed, Ellen White and Rachel Corsie also picked Japan as a potential upset side. Norway received the most “dark horse” mentions across the pundit panel (Frank, Rooney, Pulis).
Chris Sutton on Scotland in Group C
Sutton is bullish on Scotland’s chances of escaping a tough Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
His direct quote: “Scotland will beat Haiti — it is just how Steve Clarke goes about it and whether he goes with two up top, which I think is worth the risk in this game. Ben Gannon-Doak is going to be important for them — he didn’t start a Premier League game for Bournemouth last season but he gives them that bit of dynamism when everyone will be focusing on McTominay in the middle of the park, and McGinn.”
Sutton’s bigger call: “Most people are thinking Brazil and Morocco are nailed-on to be the top two in Group C, but I actually think Scotland could nick a point off one of them too. It might sound far-fetched but they could finish higher than third.”
That’s a notable contrarian position. Opta’s supercomputer ranks Scotland 33rd of 48 nations for tournament odds with just a 0.2% chance of winning the World Cup — but the same simulations have Scotland escaping Group C in 66.1% of runs. Sutton sits in the bullish minority on Scotland’s actual squad quality.
For Scotland-specific tournament tips, see our Scotland World Cup 2026 free bets and predictions guide.
Chris Sutton on England
Sutton’s England take is measured rather than bullish. He told BBC Sport: “I worry a bit about England’s defence, but you go through their team and they don’t have too many weaknesses.”
That’s deliberately hedged — Sutton’s France pick implicitly rules out an England triumph, but his comment acknowledges England as genuine contenders. The implied prediction: England will reach the latter stages but fall short of the final.
For comparison, seven other BBC pundits picked England to win it outright: Thomas Frank, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Martin Keown, Wayne Rooney, Sue Smith and Ellen White.
For England-specific tournament tips, see our England World Cup 2026 odds and tips.
How Chris Sutton’s World Cup Picks Compare to the Bookmakers
| Sutton Pick | bet365 Outright Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| France to win World Cup | 9/2 | 18% |
| Ecuador to win World Cup | 80/1 | 1.2% |
| Japan to win World Cup | 80/1 | 1.2% |
| Scotland to qualify from group | 5/4 | 44% |
Sutton’s France pick aligns with the bookmaker favourite for the tournament — France share the shortest outright price with Spain at 9/2 (bet365). His dark horse picks of Ecuador and Japan are both 80/1 longshots, where the value bet is a smaller stake at the bigger price rather than a high-confidence pick.
Odds correct at time of publishing (10 June 2026). Verify at the bookmaker before placing.
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Why Chris Sutton’s Picks Matter
Sutton is one of the most consistently accurate BBC predictions tipsters during the Premier League season — his weekly column genuinely outperforms many of his rivals across a 38-game season. His World Cup track record adds credibility: he correctly tipped Japan to beat Germany in 2022, and he’s backed France for the last three consecutive tournaments with one outright win (2018) and one runner-up (2022).
The 2026 France pick isn’t a flier — it’s the position of a tipster who’s been right twice already on the same team. The Ecuador and Japan dark horses are similarly grounded: defensive structure and tactical credibility rather than romantic hunches.
Chris Sutton World Cup 2026 FAQs
Who does Chris Sutton predict to win the World Cup?
Chris Sutton has predicted France to win the 2026 World Cup. It’s the third consecutive tournament he’s backed France — they won the 2018 World Cup outright and reached the 2022 final.
Who are Chris Sutton’s dark horse picks for the World Cup?
Ecuador and Japan. Sutton flagged Ecuador’s defensive solidity (Caicedo, Pacho, Hincapie) and Japan’s technical quality. He correctly backed Japan to beat Germany at the 2022 World Cup, giving the Japan pick personal tipping credibility.
What does Chris Sutton predict for Scotland at the World Cup?
Sutton predicts Scotland will beat Haiti in their opening match and could finish higher than third in Group C — a contrarian view given Brazil and Morocco are widely expected to take the top two spots. He flagged Bournemouth’s Ben Gannon-Doak as a key player.
Will Chris Sutton’s Premier League predictions return?
Yes — Chris Sutton’s BBC Sport weekly predictions column returns when the new Premier League season starts in August 2026. For the next 5-6 weeks (until 19 July), his tipping content covers the World Cup only.
What is Chris Sutton’s track record on World Cup predictions?
Sutton backed France in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. France won the 2018 tournament outright and reached the 2022 final (losing on penalties to Argentina). His 2022 prediction of Japan to beat Germany was one of the most accurate upset calls of that tournament.
Where does Chris Sutton work?
Chris Sutton is a BBC Sport pundit and predictions columnist. The former Norwich, Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic striker won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995 and played in two FA Cup finals.
More Pundit and Predictions Content
- BBC Pundits World Cup Predictions Round-Up — what every BBC pundit predicts for the tournament
- England World Cup 2026 Odds and Tips — Tuchel’s England prospects
- Scotland World Cup 2026 Free Bets — Tartan Army welcome offers
- World Cup 2026 Top Goalscorer Tips — Golden Boot market analysis
- World Cup 2026 Dark Horses — value picks beyond the favourites
- Michael Olise Golden Ball Tip — 10/1 with bet365
- World Cup 2026 Free Bets Hub — every UK welcome offer compared
- World Cup 2026 Fixtures — full schedule and UK kick-off times
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When Chris Sutton’s Premier League Predictions Return
Chris Sutton’s BBC Sport Premier League predictions column traditionally returns with the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. The 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are released in mid-June, and the season starts on Saturday 15 August 2026. Sutton’s weekly tipping content will resume then.
Until that point, this page will feature his World Cup 2026 predictions. From mid-August onwards, the page reverts to the evergreen format covering his weekly Premier League predictions.
Page last updated: 10 June 2026 with Chris Sutton’s World Cup 2026 predictions. Page will revert to weekly Premier League predictions from mid-August 2026.