World Cup 2026 Group Stage Preview: All 12 Groups Analysed
The expanded 48-team format arrives in North America this summer, with USA, Canada and Mexico jointly hosting a tournament that spans from 11 June to 19 July 2026. Twelve groups of four teams replace the traditional eight, meaning the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the round of 32. With more teams and tighter margins, every point matters. Here's what our PredictNext Precision Pulse model makes of all twelve groups.
Group A: Mexico, Czech Republic, South Africa, Korea Republic
Mexico enter as the clear group favourite, playing on home soil with enormous crowd support. Our model predicts them to defeat South Africa (AI: 2-0, confidence 40/100) and Korea Republic (AI: 1-0, 35/100), with Czech Republic also forecast to fall in the final matchday (AI: 0-1, 33/100). Czech Republic look like second-place candidates, with a narrow predicted win over South Africa (33/100). The Korea Republic vs Czech Republic fixture is called as a draw (31/100), suggesting the battle for third could go to the wire.
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar
Canada, as co-hosts, carry genuine momentum. The Precision Pulse model favours them to beat Switzerland (AI: 2-1, 32/100) and Qatar (AI: 2-0, 40/100), while Switzerland are predicted to overcome Qatar (AI: 0-2, 38/100) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (AI: 2-1, 36/100). Bosnia's predicted win over Qatar (33/100) could complicate the final standings. Canada and Switzerland look the most likely qualifiers, with Bosnia capable of sneaking a third-place berth.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
The standout group of the draw. Brazil are forecast to dominate — beating Morocco (AI: 2-0, 37/100) and Haiti (AI: 3-0, 47/100) — while Morocco are tipped to edge Scotland (AI: 1-1, 30/100 — a draw, though slight Morocco edge) and comfortably beat Haiti (AI: 2-0, 44/100). Scotland are our dark horse, with our model giving them a creditable predicted 2-1 over Haiti (36/100) and a 1-1 draw with Morocco. The Scotland vs Brazil fixture (AI: 1-2, 34/100) suggests a competitive game even in defeat. Morocco and Brazil advance comfortably; Scotland fight for third.
Group D: United States, Türkiye, Paraguay, Australia
Another host nation, the United States, headline this group. They're predicted to beat Paraguay (AI: 1-0, 32/100) and Australia (AI: 2-1, 35/100), with Türkiye also forecast to lose to the USA in the final round (AI: 1-2, 32/100). Türkiye look like the second qualifier, though their matches against Paraguay (AI: 1-1, 31/100) and Australia (AI: 1-1, 30/100) suggest they could be pushed. Paraguay vs Australia is also called a draw (31/100) — a genuinely open group below the USA.
Group E: Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Curacao
Germany are the overwhelming group favourites. Our model predicts a 4-0 demolition of Curacao — the tournament's single highest-confidence call at 50/100 — along with wins over Côte d'Ivoire (AI: 2-1, 37/100) and Ecuador (AI: 1-2 to Germany, 33/100). Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador fight for second, with their head-to-head forecast as 1-1 (31/100). Côte d'Ivoire's predicted 2-0 over Curacao (36/100) and Ecuador's 3-0 (44/100) suggest both sides are separated by fine margins. Germany qualify with ease; second place is a genuine contest.
Group F: Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Tunisia
Netherlands are forecast to beat Tunisia (AI: 2-0, 36/100), Japan (AI: 2-1, 36/100) and Sweden (AI: 2-1, 33/100) — a clean sweep in our model's projection. Japan are the dark horse, with their Sweden fixture predicted as 1-1 (31/100) and a narrow loss to the Netherlands. Sweden edge Tunisia (AI: 2-1, 35/100). With Tunisia vs Japan called for Japan (AI: 1-2, 32/100), the second and third spots feel competitive. Netherlands top the group; Japan and Sweden contest qualification.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium look dominant — predicted wins over Egypt (AI: 2-0, 38/100), Iran (AI: 2-0, 40/100) and New Zealand (AI: 2-0, 37/100). Egypt and Iran share the second-place battle; their fixture is forecast as a draw (30/100), while Iran beat New Zealand (AI: 1-0, 35/100). New Zealand vs Egypt is also a predicted draw (31/100), making this group's qualification race remarkably tight below Belgium.
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde Islands
Spain are among the tournament's strongest favourites. The Precision Pulse model gives them a 46/100 confidence prediction of 3-0 over Cape Verde Islands, 2-0 over Saudi Arabia (44/100), and a 1-1 draw with Uruguay (32/100). Uruguay are the second qualifier, predicted to beat Saudi Arabia (AI: 1-0, 36/100) and Cape Verde Islands (AI: 2-0, 40/100). Cape Verde Islands vs Saudi Arabia is forecast in Saudi Arabia's favour (32/100). Spain and Uruguay advance; Saudi Arabia chase a third-place slot.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
France are dominant — predicted 2-0 over Senegal (36/100), 3-0 over Iraq (47/100) and 1-2 victory over Norway (34/100). Senegal are the second qualifier, beating Iraq (AI: 1-0, 36/100) and Norway in our model (AI: 1-2 to Senegal, 31/100). Norway beat Iraq (AI: 1-0, 33/100) and push France hard. With Senegal and Norway both capable of second, this group has a compelling dark-horse story in Norway.
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
The defending champions are in ruthless form on paper. Argentina are predicted to beat Algeria (AI: 2-0, 44/100), Austria (AI: 2-0, 44/100) and Jordan (AI: 2-0, 41/100) — a perfect group stage. Austria are the second-place pick, beating Jordan (AI: 2-1, 35/100), while Algeria vs Jordan and Algeria vs Austria are both called as draws (32/100 and 30/100). Argentina qualify as group winners with ease; Austria look second.
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Congo DR, Uzbekistan
Portugal are predicted to sweep the group — beating Colombia (AI: 2-1 to Portugal, 32/100), Congo DR (AI: 2-0, 40/100) and Uzbekistan (AI: 3-0, 44/100). Colombia are strong second-place candidates, beating Congo DR (AI: 2-1, 36/100) and Uzbekistan (AI: 2-1, 33/100). Congo DR vs Uzbekistan is a predicted draw (31/100). Portugal lead comfortably; Colombia and Congo DR battle for second and third.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England are the clear favourites — predicted wins over Croatia (AI: 2-1, 35/100), Ghana (AI: 2-0, 40/100) and Panama (**AI: