48 teams have made it to the World Cup group stage, where they will battle it out to advance to the knockout stages.
Football’s greatest tournament will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer. Every competing country will desperately want to excel in what is the biggest sporting event in the world.
Here are the teams we expect to win each of the 12 World Cup groups…
Group A
Co-hosts Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, with South Korea and Czechia also placed into Group A. It is a group where all four teams will be competitive and capable of putting up a challenge.
South Korea and Czechia in particular both possess real top level talent. However, with the benefit of home advantage, it is Mexico who are the favourites to finish in first place. You can back the co-hosts to top the group on betting sites with World Cup group forecast odds.
Group B
Group B also contains one of the tournament’s co-hosts, this time it is Canada. They are joined by Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately Qatar are expected to be swept aside with ease, and, although a more stern test, Bosnia are also not favoured.
Like Mexico, Canada will have the home advantage. Despite this, a strong Switzerland side boasting both talent and experience should be the nation that comes out on top in Group B.
Group C
Group C consists of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti; and it is fairly obvious who is expected to prevail. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, anything but a first place finish for Brazil will draw raised eyebrows. Morocco are also a strong side and will be their main threat, but should still find be a level below.
Group D
The final co-hosts, the USA, find themselves in Group D, alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. With home advantage, a strong squad and Mauricio Pochettino in charge, the USA are expected to top the group. However it could be a close run battle against a Turkish side boasting some exciting talent.
Group E
Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao make up Group E. To many, it is already a foregone conclusion that the German outfit will come out on top. Although Ecuador and Ivory Coast do possess some great players, they simply do not have firepower that is on a par with Germany.
Group F
Group F contains the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden; and is one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Tunisia will not be easy to overcome but are likely to find themselves overshadowed by the other three sides. Sweden do have some elite talents, although they were abysmal throughout qualifying and were fortunate to have a place in the playoffs.
It will likely come down to the Netherlands and Japan, with both countries packed with top level players in every position on the pitch. Japan have performed impressively in recent tournaments, however the Netherlands are still favoured to prevail thanks to their greater depth and experience.
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand make up Group G. Although their so-called golden generation may be drawing to a close, Belgium are still expected to top this group. If Egypt’s stars perform to their best then they could cause an upset.
Group H
Group H consists of Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. The favourites for the entire World Cup, Spain are unsurprisingly expected to blow their opposition out of the water in this group. Uruguay will be the only cause of any concern for the European champions.
Group I
Group H contains France, Norway, Senegal and Iraq – another of the more challenging groups. Norway posses a couple of truly world class talents and Senegal also have a really solid side from back to front. However, with their incredible squad, France are still expected to run away at the top of this group.
Group J
The reigning world champions, Argentina, headline Group J. They will be challenged by Austria, Algeria and Jordan. Argentina are expected to come out on top as they kick-off their campaign to retain the trophy.
Group K
Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan make up Group K, where there is again a standout favourite. With their much superior depth of top level talent, Portugal will be very disappointed if they do not finish first in the group.
Group L
England are the side that headline the final group. The Three Lions will take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Although the first two sides they face will not be entirely straightforward tasks, Thomas Tuchel will still be expecting his side to top the group in his first World Cup.