2026 World Cup Group-By-Group Guide: Favourites & Contenders For Each Group
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost upon us, with 48 nations descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the biggest tournament in the competition's history.
For the first time, the group stage features 12 pools of four teams, meaning more drama, more upsets and more moments to savour than ever before.
The expanded format also means that the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds, giving even the most unlikely nations a fighting chance of making history.
With 12 groups to navigate, the road to glory starts here.
Using the latest odds from the best betting sites, we break down every group - the favourites, the contenders and the dark horses worth keeping an eye on.
Group A: Mexico's Home Comforts
Teams: Mexico, South Korea, Czech Republic, South Africa
Mexico enter this group as narrow favourites, and with the passionate backing of a home crowd behind them, the stage is set for El Tri to finally make a deep run in a tournament they have co-hosted.
They will be desperate to break their infamous run of seven consecutive round of 16 exits.
Czechia and South Korea are closely matched in the betting and either could comfortably push Mexico for top spot.
South Korea possess genuine attacking quality through Son Heung-min, and should not be written off, while South Africa are the clear outsiders.
Group B: Switzerland's Golden Chance
Teams: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar
Switzerland go into Group B as slight favourites and will fancy their chances of topping a very winnable group.
The Swiss are a well-organised, experienced side who consistently punch above their weight at major tournaments.
Canada, as co-hosts, will have enormous support and possess genuine quality in Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies - making them a dangerous proposition.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are not to be underestimated after navigating the play-offs with resilience, and they could make life difficult for both frontrunners.
Qatar, as the only non-European or North American side in the group, look like the clear outsiders and face a huge task to progress.
Group C: Brazil's Coronation Or Banana Skin?
Teams: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Brazil are overwhelming favourites to cruise out of Group C, and on paper, this looks like one of the more straightforward draws they could have hoped for.
The five-time world champions boast a squad bursting with attacking talent and will be expected to top the group with ease.
Morocco, however, are no pushover - the 2022 semi-finalists have genuine pedigree and Hakim Ziyech and company can trouble anyone on their day.
Scotland arrive at their first World Cup since 1998 full of emotion and will be desperate to make an impression.
Haiti are huge outsiders, but in a tournament full of surprises, stranger things have happened.
Group D: USA's Tournament Of Destiny
Teams: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
As co-hosts, the United States carry enormous expectation into a group they are expected to win.
With Christian Pulisic leading the attack and a passionate home support behind them, the USMNT have a golden opportunity to capture the nation's imagination.
Turkey offer the most significant threat to USA's ambitions - an unpredictable, technically gifted side capable of beating anyone on their day.
Paraguay are a classic South American banana skin, tough to break down and efficient on the counter-attack.
Australia, with their physicality and never-say-die mentality, are the dark horses and could yet spring a surprise or two.
Group E: Germany Mean Business
Teams: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Germany go into this tournament having rediscovered their swagger, and Group E looks like the perfect platform for Julian Nagelsmann's side to hit the ground running.
With Florian Wirtz pulling the strings and a dynamic attack at their disposal, the Germans are strong favourites to win the group.
Ecuador are the most likely challengers - an organised, physical team with Moises Caicedo driving them from midfield.
Ivory Coast possess pace and flair throughout their squad and cannot be underestimated; Sebastian Haller's return to form could make them a genuine second-place contender.
Curacao, competing in their first ever World Cup, are the clear outsiders of the group.
Group F: Netherlands Boast Quality
Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
The Netherlands head into Group F as clear favourites, boasting world-class talent throughout the pitch in Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo.
However, Ronald Koeman will know, however, that complacency could be costly.
Japan are the most exciting challengers, a side brimming with technically gifted players plying their trade across Europe's top leagues who gave Germany a real fright at the 2022 World Cup.
Sweden, guided by Graham Potter, are a well-drilled, physically imposing side with Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak offering a potent attacking threat.
Tunisia are the outsiders but are no strangers to the World Cup and will make themselves difficult to beat.
Group G: Belgium's Last Chance Saloon
Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium may be past the peak of their so-called golden generation, but this group represents a brilliant opportunity for them to reach the knockout stages with minimal fuss.
With Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco still in the mix, they carry enough quality to dominate.
Egypt are the most credible threat - a well-organised African side with Mo Salah at the helm who will be determined to make his mark on his likely final World Cup.
Iran are battle-hardened and tactically disciplined, capable of making Belgium work for their victory.
New Zealand are the clear outsiders, though their never-give-up attitude could earn them a surprise point or two.
Group H: Spain's Group To Lose
Teams: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Spain are the dominant favourites here, and with Lamine Yamal, Pedri and a squad packed with Champions League winners, it is not hard to see why.
The reigning European champions enter this tournament as one of the hottest tips to go all the way, and topping this group is the very minimum expectation.
Uruguay are the only real competition, with Darwin Núnez and Luis Suarez's heir apparent Facundo Torres offering genuine attacking menace for South America's dark horses.
Saudi Arabia will look to recreate the magic of their stunning 2022 win over Argentina, while Cape Verde, competing in their first World Cup, are the romantic outsiders.
Group I: The Group of Death
Teams: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
If any group deserves the 'Group of Death' label, it is this one.
France are favourites and bring Kylian Mbappe - the reigning Golden Boot holder - into a side stacked with world-class talent from back to front.
They will need to be at their best, though, with Norway breathing down their necks.
Erling Haaland is arguably the most dangerous striker in world football right now, and with Martin Odegaard feeding him from midfield, Norway are credible contenders to top the group.
Senegal, led by Sadio Mane, are dangerous and physical opponents who will make life difficult for both heavyweights.
Iraq are the clear outsiders but reach their first World Cup since 1986 as a moment of genuine national pride.
Group J: Argentina's Title Defence Begins
Teams: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Defending champions Argentina are overwhelming favourites to march through Group J, and with Lionel Messi leading the line in what is expected to be his final World Cup, the motivation could not be higher.
The world champions have the quality to beat anyone, but Argentina in 2026 are not quite the juggernaut of 2022.
Austria are the most compelling challengers - a well-organised European side with Marcel Sabitzer providing bite and creativity in midfield.
Algeria are a dangerous dark horse; a passionate, physical team with quality going forward who could yet trouble Argentina's ageing back line.
Jordan make up the numbers but will cherish every moment on football's biggest stage.
Group K: Portugal's Comfortable Path
Teams: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Portugal look well-placed to top Group K, with Cristiano Ronaldo still on board and Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings behind him.
A settled squad with genuine quality throughout gives them the edge in what is a manageable group.
Colombia are the most likely challengers - James Rodriguez remains one of the most technically gifted players in the tournament, and with a young, vibrant squad around him, Los Cafeteros could well push Portugal hard for top spot.
DR Congo are a lively dark horse; a physically imposing side with plenty of energy who could catch Portugal cold if underestimated. Uzbekistan are the heavy outsiders in their maiden World Cup appearance.
Group L: England's Date with Destiny
Teams: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England head into Group L as strong favourites, and Thomas Tuchel's side will view this as the perfect draw to build momentum heading into the knockout stages.
Harry Kane leads a squad full of Premier League stars who will be hungry to go one better than their Euro 2024 final heartbreak.
Croatia are the most significant threat - a seasoned, well-drilled European side who ended England's 2018 World Cup dream in the semi-finals, and they will fancy their chances of qualifying once again.
Ghana are a passionate, energetic African outfit with genuine pace and direct play that could cause problems on a bad day for England.
Panama are the clear outsiders but proved at the 2018 World Cup that they will make every minute count.
