Vox's Future Perfect staff, along with other experts, released their predictions for major global events in 2026, forecasting a year potentially marked by significant challenges. The predictions, the seventh annual effort by the group, covered a range of topics from the stability of electoral democracies to the likelihood of economic recession and geopolitical conflicts.

Each prediction was assigned a probability, intended to reflect the forecasters' confidence levels. This approach, according to Vox, aims to promote transparency and intellectual honesty in their assessments.

The forecasts considered several potentially destabilizing factors on the world stage. Among the concerns was the possibility of a recession in the United States, impacting global markets and trade relationships. The potential for military conflict involving Taiwan was also highlighted, a scenario that could draw in major world powers and disrupt international security. Domestically, the group considered the chances of further restrictions on the emerging market of lab-cultivated meat, and the potential impact of extreme weather events.

The Future Perfect project at Vox typically focuses on identifying and analyzing the most pressing global challenges and potential solutions. By making these predictions public, the team hopes to encourage informed discussion and proactive planning for the future. The staff contributing to the predictions included Bryan Walsh, Izzie Ramirez, Marina Bolotnikova, Sigal Samuel, Kenny Torrella, Pratik Pawar, Zack Beauchamp, Shayna Korol, Sara Herschander, Anna North, Joshua Keating, Umair Irfan, and Dylan Scott.