← Back to all posts

2026-06-09

2026 FIFA World Cup Group Preview: Predictions, Teams, Fixtures and Players to Watch

2026 FIFA World Cup group preview with predictions, teams, fixtures and players to watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, and for the first time in history, 48 teams will compete across 12 groups in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advance to the Round of 32.

What follows is a group-by-group breakdown: teams, key players, fixtures, and predictions. Group D is already covered in full detail in our USMNT Group D Preview, so we will keep that one brief here.

Table of Contents

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia

The Fixtures

The Group

Mexico opens the tournament at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, one of the most electric atmospheres in world football. El Tri may not have the most talented squad they have ever brought to a World Cup, but two home-country group games matter. Hirving "Chucky" Lozano remains a key attacking threat, and Mexico should be organized enough to control the group.

South Korea bring Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, which gives them enough attacking quality to punish mistakes. Czechia will be physical, organized, and dangerous through Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick. South Africa return to the World Cup stage with energy and belief, but this is a tough draw.

Predicted Finish: 1. Mexico - 2. South Korea - 3. Czechia - 4. South Africa

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Fixtures

The Group

Canada get a real opportunity on home soil. Alphonso Davies changes games with his pace, Jonathan David gives them a proven finisher, and the Canada-Switzerland match in Vancouver could decide the group.

Switzerland are one of international football's most consistent tournament teams. They are rarely spectacular, but they are professional, organized, and difficult to beat. Bosnia & Herzegovina have enough experience to make things uncomfortable, led by Edin Dzeko in what is almost certainly one of his final major international moments. Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup and returns as a participant, with Akram Afif still their most dangerous player.

Predicted Finish: 1. Switzerland - 2. Canada - 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina - 4. Qatar

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

The Fixtures

The Group

Brazil carry five World Cup titles and the pressure of chasing a sixth. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the Selecao have elite attacking options, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo capable of deciding matches quickly. Brazil should win the group, but Morocco are not a comfortable opponent.

Morocco were the story of the 2022 World Cup, becoming the first African nation to reach a semifinal. Achraf Hakimi gives them world-class quality at fullback, and their defensive organization makes them a nightmare in tournament football. Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, led by Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay. Haiti will be spirited and physical, but advancing from this group would require a major upset.

Predicted Finish: 1. Brazil - 2. Morocco - 3. Scotland - 4. Haiti

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye

The Fixtures

The Group

The USMNT faces Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye in a group that is manageable but not soft. We have a full breakdown of all three opponents, key players, and group predictions in our dedicated Group D Preview.

Predicted Finish: 1. USA - 2. Turkiye - 3. Paraguay - 4. Australia

Group E: Germany, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Curacao

The Fixtures

The Group

Germany need a clean World Cup after group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz give them the kind of creativity that can overwhelm group opponents, and this draw gives them a clear path to first place.

Cote d'Ivoire are talented and physical, with Sebastien Haller and Franck Kessie offering experience and power. Ecuador are a real threat through Moises Caicedo and a disciplined CONMEBOL edge. Curacao make a historic World Cup debut and will compete, but the quality gap is significant.

Predicted Finish: 1. Germany - 2. Cote d'Ivoire - 3. Ecuador - 4. Curacao

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden

The Fixtures

The Group

The Netherlands have the defensive spine, wide talent, and tournament pedigree to win this group. Virgil van Dijk remains the leader, and Cody Gakpo gives them a flexible attacking option.

Japan are one of the most dangerous teams outside the traditional powers. They beat Germany and Spain in Qatar 2022 and remain quick, technical, and tactically mature. Sweden return after missing 2022, with Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski capable of turning any match. Tunisia will be organized and tough to break down, but this is a difficult group.

Predicted Finish: 1. Netherlands - 2. Japan - 3. Sweden - 4. Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

The Fixtures

The Group

Belgium still have enough high-end quality to control this group. Kevin De Bruyne's passing and Romelu Lukaku's power give them a clear attacking identity, even if the golden-generation window is closing.

Egypt's hopes revolve around Mohamed Salah. If he gets service, Egypt can beat anyone here. Iran are disciplined, physical, and difficult to play through, while New Zealand will compete hard behind Chris Wood. The fight for second could be tense.

Predicted Finish: 1. Belgium - 2. Egypt - 3. Iran - 4. New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cabo Verde

The Fixtures

The Group

Spain are one of the tournament favorites after winning Euro 2024. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and a deep technical midfield make them one of the hardest teams in the world to chase.

Uruguay may be the most dangerous second-place candidate in the tournament. Federico Valverde gives them elite midfield drive, and Darwin Nunez gives them chaos and power up front. Saudi Arabia famously shocked Argentina in 2022 and will be competitive, while Cabo Verde make a landmark World Cup debut.

Predicted Finish: 1. Spain - 2. Uruguay - 3. Saudi Arabia - 4. Cabo Verde

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq

The Fixtures

The Group

This is the group of the tournament.

France are loaded again. Kylian Mbappe is in his prime, and the supporting cast around him is good enough to make France a co-favorite. Senegal are physical, experienced, and capable of frustrating anyone. The opener between France and Senegal is one of the best early fixtures on the board.

Norway are back on the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998, and this will be Erling Haaland's World Cup debut. Haaland and Martin Odegaard give Norway a two-player ceiling that no opponent can ignore. Iraq will defend in numbers and compete, but advancing from this group would require something remarkable.

Predicted Finish: 1. France - 2. Senegal - 3. Norway - 4. Iraq

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

The Fixtures

The Group

Argentina are the defending champions, and Lionel Messi's final World Cup run will carry enormous emotional weight. The squad remains deep under Lionel Scaloni, with Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and a hardened midfield giving Argentina more than nostalgia.

Algeria bring Riyad Mahrez and enough attacking quality to trouble Austria. Austria are organized, energetic, and difficult to beat, with Marcel Sabitzer driving the midfield. Jordan make their World Cup debut, a genuinely historic achievement, but this is a demanding group.

Predicted Finish: 1. Argentina - 2. Algeria - 3. Austria - 4. Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Congo DR

The Fixtures

The Group

Portugal have one of the deepest squads in the tournament, whether Cristiano Ronaldo is central to the plan or used more selectively. Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, and a wave of attacking talent make Portugal a serious contender.

Colombia reached the Copa America 2024 final and remain dangerous through Luis Diaz and a creative, confident midfield. Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut and are well-organized enough to compete. Congo DR have athleticism and physicality, but Portugal and Colombia are clear favorites to advance.

Predicted Finish: 1. Portugal - 2. Colombia - 3. Uzbekistan - 4. Congo DR

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The Fixtures

The Group

England have endured 60 years of hurt since 1966, and this generation is talented enough to end it. Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and a deep squad make England one of the favorites.

Croatia arrive in the twilight of their golden generation. Luka Modric is 40 and almost certainly nearing the end of his international career, but Croatia's tournament know-how is real. Ghana have enough athleticism and midfield power to challenge for second. Panama will defend, work, and make games uncomfortable, but this is a brutal draw.

Predicted Finish: 1. England - 2. Croatia - 3. Ghana - 4. Panama

The Big Picture

Forty-eight teams. Twelve groups. One trophy.

A few things stand out from this draw. Group I is the group of the tournament: France and Senegal in the opener, Haaland making his World Cup debut, and three legitimate knockout-round threats. Group J is Messi's farewell stage, which means every Argentina match will carry emotional weight no other game in the tournament can match.

The favorites to lift the trophy are France and Argentina, with Spain, Brazil, England, and Portugal not far behind. But the expanded 48-team format means more opportunities for upsets, more time for momentum to build, and more routes to glory for nations that have never come close.

The group stage runs through June 27. Then the real tournament begins.

Follow every game and make your World Cup picks at Crystal Ball Picks.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google PlayPlay on the Web