Forget the barroom predictions and expert opinions based on instinct, make way for a cold and methodical analysis. The American site Action Network, specializing in analysis, advice, and predictions for sports betting, decided to use ChatGPT to discover how the AI would predict the outcome of the 2025 Club World Cup. More than 1,000 data points were "ingested" by the AI for each of the 32 teams qualified for the tournament. This includes recent performances, squad value, continental experience, coach profile, and even travel fatigue... nothing was left to chance.
At the end of this process, which generated a 72-page report, the verdict is in. The AI sees a 100% European final four, consisting of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and, therefore, Paris Saint-Germain. We won't hide the fact that AI wasn't necessarily needed to imagine these four big clubs in the semi-finals, but the experience remains interesting.
Then, the final would pit the club from the French capital against the Bavarian giants in what would constitute a remake of the 2019-2020 Champions League final. The AI's justification is rather simple: its choice of PSG is based on the club's "dominant form", "tactical cohesion", and above all, the psychological boost conferred by the "recent victory by a large margin in the 2024-2025 Champions League". A victory that undoubtedly weighs heavily in the machine's calculations.
Inter Milan as "outsiders", possible surprises
But a tournament is never written in advance, and even the AI knows that. When asked about the teams that could upset the odds, ChatGPT identified five outsiders capable of causing a surprise.
At the top of the list is the finalist of the last Champions League, namely Inter Milan. Despite the heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan had a more than solid run, successively eliminating Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona. For the AI tool OpenAI, these victories and the team's "solid tactical skills" even make them the outsider most likely to win. It should be noted that Inter Milan recently changed coaches with the arrival of Cristian Chivu in place of Simone Inzaghi.
Behind the Italian club, the other five outsiders of the tournament according to ChatGPT are Chelsea FC, the Brazilian side Palmeiras, Benfica of Portugal, and Atlético Madrid.
What data did ChatGPT use to predict the results?
Here is the information provided to ChatGPT to help it make its predictions:
- Recent performance statistics: Latest match results (W–D–L), goals scored/concealed, league standings, points, and goal difference.
- Continental performance: Best result in the last 3 continental tournaments (e.g., Copa Libertadores, UCL, etc.).
- Club World Cup experience: Total appearances, years, best result, last result, and full match record.
- Squad quality and depth: Market value, number of international players, and average age.
- Key players of the season: Top scorers and assist providers in the current season.
- Profile of Coach: Years in charge and major career achievements.
- Region the club represents (e.g., Europe, South America, etc.).
- Match and travel load: Match load and travel near the tournament.
- Group stage draw: Group allocation in the FCWC. (e.g., Group A, Group B, etc.)
- Team rating: Team rating according to SofaScore, a data-driven performance rating averaged over recent matches.
How did he do it?
After analyzing all the data, ChatGPT predicted the group stage results, ranking the teams most likely to qualify for the knockout stages. The full 2025 Club World Cup bracket was compiled based on these predictions.
ChatGPT first predicted the winners of the round of 16, before progressing to the quarterfinals and semifinals. It then determined the tournament winner.
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