The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in less than two weeks, and every participating country has released its roster for the tournament.

This is the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams, an increase of 16 from all previous editions.

Here’s a prediction for how all 12 groups will unfold.

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

This one looks like an easy choice for first place, with Mexico serving as a host country. However, South Korea, led by Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min, could be a sleeper pick to finish first. Czechia is making its first World Cup appearance since 2006. South Africa looks to improve after hosting the tournament in 2010.

1. Mexico
2. South Korea
3. Czechia
4. South Africa

Mexico is expected to finish first because of its home-field advantage as a host nation. South Korea’s overall quality of play should be enough to earn a second-place finish. Czechia will place third, led by Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick. South Africa is likely to finish last because it lacks the depth and quality of the other teams in the group.

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

This is a relatively weak group compared to most of the others. Canada is one of the host countries; however, it does not boast a particularly strong squad. Switzerland has several players competing in Europe’s top leagues. Bosnia and Herzegovina was a heavy underdog to qualify for the World Cup, beating Italy in the playoff final. Qatar was the host nation in 2022 but performed poorly.

1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Qatar

Switzerland has the strongest squad in the group. Canada could be without star Alphonso Davies but still has enough quality to finish second. Bosnia and Herzegovina looks capable of challenging for a knockout-stage spot but is projected to finish third. Qatar will likely finish fourth.

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group C is considered one of the strongest groups, featuring five-time champion Brazil, reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion Morocco, Scotland and Haiti. Brazil is always among the favorites to win the tournament and is led by legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022, becoming the first African nation to advance that far. This is Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, while Haiti is making its first appearance since 1974.

1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Scotland
4. Haiti

Brazil, led by stars Neymar Jr. and Raphinha, will finish in first place. Morocco has the talent to challenge for the top spot but will ultimately finish second. Scotland has enough quality to compete with Brazil and Morocco but will end up in third place. Haiti will not have enough quality to keep pace with the rest of the group.

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

Group D may appear to be an easy path for the United States to finish first, but it’s far from that. The Americans already have to deal with the pressure of being a host country, and they are entering the tournament in poor form. Türkiye is playing in its first World Cup since 2002, when it reached the semifinals. Paraguay enters the tournament ranked 40th in the world by FIFA. Australia is coming off an impressive Round of 16 appearance in 2022.

1. United States
2. Türkiye
3. Australia
4. Paraguay

The United States, led by Christian Pulisic, will prove plenty of people wrong and finish first. Türkiye is full of young talent, and its inexperience will result in a second-place finish. Australia looks to build on its success from 2022 and will finish third. Paraguay will give all three nations trouble with its physicality but won’t have enough firepower on offense.

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group E features four-time champion Germany, which enters the tournament under the radar after disappointing group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022. Curaçao is making its World Cup debut, becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify. Ivory Coast looks to advance from the group stage for the first time. Ecuador enters the tournament with one of the best defenses in the world.

1. Germany
2. Ecuador
3. Ivory Coast
4. Curaçao

This group is a real toss-up for first place. Germany and Ecuador are both worthy of the top spot, but Germany will take it thanks to its offensive quality. Ivory Coast will lock up third place, while Curaçao will finish last.

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Group F may not look particularly strong on paper, but all four teams have a realistic chance of finishing anywhere from first to fourth. The Netherlands is one of the top nations in every World Cup cycle, although it has yet to lift the trophy. Japan has emerged as a legitimate dark horse in recent years and is ranked 18th in the world. Sweden qualified through the UEFA playoffs, but it is no stranger to this tournament. Tunisia appears to be the weakest team in the group, but it could pull off an upset at any time.

1. Netherlands
2. Japan
3. Sweden
4. Tunisia

Both Japan and the Netherlands could finish first, but the Netherlands has a slight advantage thanks to its abundance of world-class players. Sweden will finish third, led by Alexander Isak. Tunisia does not have enough quality to finish higher than fourth.

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group G is in contention for the weakest group overall, with Belgium appearing to be the strongest team on paper. However, Belgium has underperformed in recent international tournaments. Egypt returns after missing out on the 2022 World Cup and is led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. Iran enters the tournament for the sixth consecutive time but has never advanced beyond the group stage. New Zealand will play in only its third World Cup. Its last appearance came in 2010, when it was the tournament’s only unbeaten team, finishing with three draws.

1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. New Zealand
4. Iran

Belgium has too much talent for the rest of the group to match. Egypt will finish second, while New Zealand will have enough quality to finish third. Iran will finish fourth.

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

Spain enters the World Cup as one of the favorites to lift the trophy. The Spanish side is the reigning European champion. Even with star Lamine Yamal sidelined for the first two group-stage matches, Spain has enough quality to finish atop the group. Cape Verde is another nation making its World Cup debut and is the third-smallest nation ever to qualify. Saudi Arabia returns for its second consecutive World Cup after shocking the world by defeating eventual champion Argentina in its opening match in 2022. Uruguay is no longer the South American powerhouse it once was, but it still has enough talent to advance from the group.

1. Spain
2. Uruguay
3. Cape Verde
4. Saudi Arabia

Spain and Uruguay have too much quality to finish lower than first and second, respectively. Cape Verde will finish third ahead of Saudi Arabia because of its coaching and style of play.

Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Group I is considered the Group of Death. France is one of the favorites, having reached the past two finals, defeating Croatia in 2018 and losing to Argentina in 2022. Senegal was the Africa Cup of Nations runner-up and boasts a deep squad filled with players from Europe’s top leagues. Iraq drew an unfortunate group assignment, but no team can be counted out at the World Cup. Norway returns to the tournament for the first time since 1998 and is led by world-class striker Erling Haaland.

1. France
2. Norway
3. Senegal
4. Iraq

France has enough quality to win the entire tournament and will finish first. Norway will finish second but could surprise everyone if it is taken lightly. Senegal has plenty of talent throughout its squad, but not on the same level as France and Norway. Iraq cannot compete with the quality of the top three nations.

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group J looks like a cakewalk for Argentina on paper; however, there could be a few surprises. Algeria has plenty of young talent looking to make a name for itself. Austria is appearing in its first World Cup since 1998. Jordan is making its tournament debut in 2026. Argentina looks to repeat as world champion, led by Lionel Messi.

1. Argentina
2. Austria
3. Algeria
4. Jordan

Argentina will defend its trophy by having a dominant group stage. Austria will finish second thanks to its fast-paced style of play. Algeria will finish third, led by Riyad Mahrez, and Jordan will finish last.

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group K is a mixed bag. Portugal enters as a heavy favorite to top the group, with quality throughout the squad. DR Congo is making its second World Cup appearance and first since 1974. Uzbekistan is making its debut in 2026 and enters the tournament in strong form. Colombia missed out in 2022 but is back looking to make history.

1. Portugal
2. Colombia
3. Uzbekistan
4. DR Congo

Portugal will top the group, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and a world-class midfield. Colombia will grab second thanks to Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez. The surprise of the group will be Uzbekistan, finishing in third place thanks to its defense. DR Congo will not have enough to make it out of the group stage.

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Group L is headlined by two European powers in England and Croatia. England looks to end its 60-year drought without lifting the trophy. Croatia was the runner-up in 2018 and reached the semifinals in 2022. Ghana is playing in its fifth straight World Cup and reached the quarterfinals in 2010. Panama is appearing in only its second World Cup, with its first coming in 2018.

1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama

England will finish first, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, after going through qualifying without conceding a goal. Croatia will finish second, led by Luka Modrić. Ghana will finish third, looking to reach the Round of 32. Panama will finish fourth due to a lack of quality.

Disclaimer: This is not betting advice.

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