A study, conducted by Goldman Sachs, also predicted that England will make it to the quarterfinal stage, where they will be knocked out by Germany. (Photo: AP)

opposition in the 16-team knockout phase. Spain, however, is unlikely to face strong opposition in the final 16, and has a 73 percent chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

The Goldman Sachs AI forecast that France, Portugal, Germany and Brazil will reach the semi-finals of the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on Thursday.

Germany will advance to the final by beating Portugal while Brazil will overcome France to face the holders in Moscow during the final.

But it is the South Americans who are predicted to lift the trophy, beating the 2014 winners by a score of 1.70-1.41, which rounds to 2-1.

England will beat Colombia in the round of 16 and go on to face Germany in the quarterfinals, according to the simulations.

However, the Germans are forecast to ultimately triumph, knocking the three lions out 2-1.

According to the study, Russia will not make it out of the group stages, while Saudi Arabia will be a surprise entrant to the knockout rounds.

Argentina and Spain are expected to underperform, according to Goldman Sachs, both crashing out in the quarterfinals.

Austrian mathematicians revealed in May that Germany and Brazil are neck-and-neck favourites to lift the trophy.