The biggest sporting event in the world is coming to North America. Games will take place in 16 cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada, starting June 11th and concluding with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19th. 48 teams from across the globe have fought to qualify for a spot in the big dance.
It is split up into 12 groups of 4, also known as the group phase. Each team will play one match against every other team in its group, and at the end of the group phase, the top two teams will advance. New to this tournament is that 8 teams that finish in third place will also advance to the knockout phase. Here are my predictions on how the group phase plays out:
Group A
- Mexico
- Czech Republic
- South Korea
- South Africa
A tough group to call. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of those top three teams win the group. The only certainty to me is that South Africa finishes last. If South Korea gets vintage Heung-Min Son somehow, they could jump to first.
Group B
- Switzerland
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Qatar
The Swiss will take this group pretty comfortably, in my opinion. Their stars are all on the older side, but I think they have more than enough talent to win the group. Bosnia and Canada is a coin flip, but I think the experience of Edin Džeko will be the difference. Qatar should be proud they qualified for back-to-back World Cups.
Group C
- Morocco
- Brazil
- Scotland
- Haiti
Brazil and Morocco will comfortably come out of this group. Scotland might make it tough, but they lack the attacking threat to compete. Haiti are only here because of the expansion and should just enjoy the ride.
Group D
- USA
- Turkey
- Paraguay
- Australia
Slightly biased to have the USA winning the group over Turkey, but I do believe these are the two teams that will qualify out of the group. On paper, they are both significantly better than Paraguay and Australia.
Group E
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Curaçao
Germany should win this group comfortably. Ecuador and Ivory Coast could go either way. I’m leaning slightly toward Ecuador due to the star power of William Pacho and Moisés Caicedo. Young breakout star Yan Diomande could flip that. Curaçao, like Haiti, are only here because of the expansion and should also enjoy the ride.
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
The Netherlands are the best team on paper in this group and should win it, but it won’t be easy. Japan is a stout defensive unit, and Sweden boasts a very good attack. Second place can go either way in this one. Tunisia are a decent side, but will likely go 0-3 in this group.
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
This is a pretty straightforward group to call. Belgium and Egypt should easily go through. Iran and New Zealand each have high-level strikers, but nowhere near good enough supporting casts.
Group H
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Saudi Arabia
- Cape Verde
Reigning European champions Spain will come out of this group quite easily, in my opinion. The Uruguay-Saudi Arabia race for second place is closer than most people think. Since the Saudi League was heavily invested in, the national team has benefited greatly.
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Iraq
Every World Cup has a Group of Death, and Group I is 2026’s. I believe France is the best team in the world, so for me they will go through on top, but this won’t be a cakewalk. Norway has the best striker on the planet in Erling Haaland, so dealing with him will be a handful. Senegal’s talisman, Sadio Mané, is in fantastic form, so I give Senegal the slight edge. Ultimately, I think all three will make it through to the knockout stage, and Iraq should just play pride.
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Reigning World Cup champions Argentina should win this group, even with Lionel Messi being banged up. Algeria vs. Austria is truly youth versus experience. I give the edge to Algeria, as they have the two best players in this matchup in Riyad Mahrez and Ibrahim Maza. As I’ve said a few times, Jordan is only here because of the expansion and should also just enjoy the ride.
Group K
- Portugal
- Colombia
- DR Congo
- Uzbekistan
Portugal and Colombia should come out of this group comfortably. DR Congo are a decent team out of AFCON and will make a push to advance as one of the third-place teams. Uzbekistan have a good defense, but are heavily outmatched in this group.
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
It never quite goes this way for them, but England should win this group comfortably. Croatia have great players who have been there before, but they are an older side now. Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo can be a game-changer, but I feel they don’t have enough quality in midfield. Hard to see how Panama scores enough to compete in this group.
Outside of the US group, I truly hope these aren’t as cut-and-dry as they are on paper. Hopefully one of those teams I tell to enjoy the ride makes me look stupid and goes on a run.
Have a take on this? Leave a comment below.