The 2026 World Cup will be the largest international football competition in history.
It is hosting a massive 48 countries and will also be the first time a World Cup will be hosted in three nations.
The tournament will start on June 11th, with the final scheduled for July 19th. It will be jointly hosted by sixteen cities, eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Below are my group previews and predictions, including final group standings and knockout stages predictions. FIFA rankings are in brackets.
GROUP A
MEXICO (15)
CZECH REP (41)
SOUTH KOREA (25)
SOUTH AFRICA (60)
Mexico qualified as one of the three host nations, and will play their games in the second-largest stadium at the tournament in the Azteca. They are playing in their 18th World Cup, and their best finish was QF’s twice in 1970 and 1986, when they last hosted.
Mexico are a technical team who try to play quick, possession football, building from the back to exploit opposition spaces. Players to look out for are defenders Montes and Vasques, midfielders Alvarez and Alvarado, with Raul Jimenez, Gimenez and Vega up front.
Playing in their 10th World Cup, Czech Republic had one of the longest qualifications. They finished second in their group behind Croatia, then went into a playoff, where they beat Rep Ireland 4-3 on pens after drawing 2-2. Then drew 2-2 with Denmark and won 3-1 on pens.
Playing a back three with wing-backs, they play direct football with plenty of width to stretch the play and create space for crosses in the box. Their best World Cup finish was runners-up in 1934 and 1962. Key players are defenders, Krejci & Hranac. Midfielders, Soucek and Sulc. With forwards, Schick & Hlozek.
South Korea are playing in their 12th tournament, and their best was a thrilling fourth place in 2002, when they were the hosts. They qualified by topping their first group eight ahead of China. Then finished top of their final group, six ahead of Jordan.
South Korea likes to play quick and flowing attacking football with plenty of agile runners in support. Players to look out for are the captain Son, with Hwang Hee-chan up front. Supported by midfielders Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung. With Kim Min-jae at the back.
The lowest-ranked team in this group, South Africa, qualified by topping their group, just a point ahead of Nigeria. They are playing in just their fourth tournament and have never been past the group stages.
Bafana Bafana plays methodical, slow possession football. Then burst into life with quick passing to create openings. Led by captain and goalkeeper Williams. With defenders Modiba and Mudau. Midfielders, Mokoena and Appollis. Also, Zwane and Foster up front.
GROUP B
SWITZERLAND (19)
CANADA (30)
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (65)
QATAR (55)
Switzerland are playing in their 13th tournament. Their best finish was QF’s in 34, 38 & 54. They qualified for this tournament by finishing top of their group, three points ahead of Kosovo.
The Swiss work off a defensive unit and blend possession play with direct runners down the wings to create openings in the box. Key players are Xhaka, Zakaria & Freuler in midfield, Akanji & Rodriguez at the back. With Embolo, Amdouni and Ndoye up front.
Another of the host nations, Canada are playing in just their third tournament; in their previous two, they failed to make it out of the group stages in 1986 and last time in 2022. Canada have two stadiums hosting at the World Cup and Toronto has the smallest capacity.
Canada relies on energetic, high-pressure, counterattacking football, with athletic runners and attacking pace. Their key players are defenders Davies, Johnston and Corneilus. Midfielders Buchanan, Eustaquio and Kone. With J.David and Larin up front.
Bosnia had one of the longest journeys. They finished second in their group, two points behind Austria. Then went into a playoff where they first beat Wales 4-2 on pens after drawing 1-1. Then, they shocked Italy, beating them 4-1 on pens after drawing 1-1.
Bosnia are a defensive team who like to restrict spaces. Then attack in a slow, measured build-up to create the odd opening. Bosnia are playing in just their second tournament, and failed to make it out of the group in 2014. Their key players are defenders Kolasinac & Dedic. Midfielders, Bajraktarevic & Tahirovic. With forwards Dzeko and Demirovic.
Qatar qualified by finishing top of their second round group, nine points ahead of Kuwait. Then fourth in their third round group behind Iran, Uzbekistan, and the UAE. Then, in a final round-robin group, they beat Uzbekistan at home and drew with Omar away, to qualify.
Qatar tries to play patient possession football, with plenty of movement to open up the opposition. Key players are defenders Ahmad and Miguel. Midfielders, Madibo and Boudiaf. With forwards, Arif, Junior and Muntari.
GROUP C
BRAZIL (6)
MOROCCO (8)
SCOTLAND (43)
HAITI (83)
Five-time winners Brazil are the most successful nation in the World Cup. Their last victory was in 2002. They are playing in their 23rd tournament, the most by any nation, but surprisingly qualified fifth in the group, behind Argentina. Also, Ecuador, who were just a point ahead and level on points with Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay in sixth.
Not the Brazil of old, but they still play with attacking flair from defensive stability. With Ancelotti in charge, key players are Allison in goal. Defenders, Marquinhos and Gabriel. Midfielders, Paqueta & Casemiro. With Vinicius, Neymar and Raphinha up front.
Morocco are playing in their seventh tournament and would love to emulate its fourth-place finish last time out in 2022. They qualified top, nine ahead of Niger, winning all eight of their games.
Morocco are an exciting attacking team, playing a blend of direct and quick “pass and move” football. Players to look out for are Bounou in goal. Defenders, Hakimi, Aguerd and Mazraoui. Midfielders, Amrabat and El Khannouss. With forwards, Diaz and El Kaabi.
Playing in their tenth tournament, Scotland has yet to make it out of the group stages. Their last appearance was in 1998. They surprisingly qualified top of their group, two points ahead of Denmark.
Scotland plays a compact, defensive style of football, with direct attacking play and early balls into the box. Their key players are defenders, Robertson and McKenna. Midfielders, McTominay and McGinn. With Dykes, Adams and Shankland up front.
Haiti are the second-lowest ranked team at the World Cup and are playing in their second tournament after 1974, when they failed to advance from the group stages. They finished as runners-up in their second-round group, three behind Curacao, but five ahead of St Lucia. Then, qualified by topping their third-round group, two ahead of Honduras.
Haiti likes to play quick, attacking football with athletic runners and aggressive defenders. Players to look out for are Placide in goal. Defenders, Arcus and Experience. Midfielders, Bellegarde and Jacques. With forwards Nazon, Pierrot, and Etienne Jr.
GROUP D
TURKEY (22)
USA (16)
PARAGUAY (40)
AUSTRALIA (27)
Turkey are fortunate to be in a fairly even group. They are playing in their fourth tournament, the last was in 2002 when they finished third, their best finish. They finished second in their group, three behind Spain and went to the playoffs, where they beat Romania 1-0, then Kosovo 1-0 to qualify.
Turkey plays a disciplined, technical style of football, with high intensity and plenty of runners. Their key players are Defenders, Demiral, Celik and Soyuncu. Midfielders, Calhanoglu and Ozcan. With forwards, Yilmaz and Guler.
The third of three nations, and the main hosts with the most stadiums at this tournamaent, the USA, are playing in their 12th World Cup. The last was four years ago in 2022, when they reached the last 16. Their best was a third-place finish in 1930.
The USA like to play high-pressing, attacking football, with direct, aggressive and athletic runners. Led by Pochettino, key players are defenders Robinson, Ream and Dest. Midfielders, Adams, McKennie and Rayna, with Pulisic, Pepi and Balogun up front.
Playing in their ninth tournament, the last was 2010, where they reached the QF’s, which was their best finish. Paraguay qualified for the World Cup sixth in their group, level on points with Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, who were all above them.
Paraguay try to play structured, defensive football, with technical operators further forward, who create chances or set-piece opportunities. Their players to watch are defenders Gomez and Alderete. Midfielders, Almiron and Sosa and forwards, Enciso, A.Romero and Sanabria.
Australia are playing in their seventh tournament. Their best was a last 16 finish in 2006 and in 2022. They topped their second-round group, ten points ahead of Palestine, winning all eight games. They qualified as runners-up in their third-round group, four points behind Japan and four ahead of Saudi Arabia.
Australia are a physical team that likes to play direct football with an emphasis on creating chances through set pieces. Key players are goalkeeper Ryan. Defenders, Bos, Degenek and Circati. Midfielders, Irvine and Hrustic. With forwards, Boyle, Leckie and Toure.
GROUP E
GERMANY (10)
ECUADOR (23)
IVORY COAST (34)
CURACAO (82)
Four-time winners, Germany are playing in their 21st World Cup; however, since winning it in 2014, they have failed to get out of the group stages in the last two tournaments. They qualified by topping their group, three points ahead of Slovakia.
Germany plays in a typically efficient outfit, defensively strong with technical players who play neat “pass and move” football. Players to watch are goalkeeper Neuer. Defenders, Rudigar, Tan and Schlotterbeck. Midfielders, Kimmich, Musiala and Wirtz. With forwards, Havertz and Undav.
Ecuador surprised by qualifying second in the group, nine points behind Argentina and a point ahead of Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. They lost just two games in qualifying, the fewest in the group and conceded the least. They are playing in their fifth tournament and have only reached the last 16 once in 2006.
Ecuador play disciplined defensive football, with players behind the ball, then quick, early passes up front for forwards to run onto. Their key players are defenders, Pacho, Estupinan and Hincapie. Midfielders, Caicedo and Plata. With forwards, Valencia and Rodriguez.
Playing in just their fourth tournament, the Ivory Coast have yet to make it out of the group stages. They qualified by topping their group, a point above Gabon. They also scored the most goals in African qualifying without conceding a single goal from 10 games.
Ivory Coast are a physical outfit with pace, power and fluid movements at both ends of the pitch. Players to look out for are defenders Konan and Ndicka. Midfielders, Kessie, Seri and Sangare. With forwards, Pepe, Amad & Adingra. .
Curacao are making their debut and are the smallest nation by population and land to qualify for a World Cup. They qualified by topping their second-round group, three points ahead of Haiti. Then, topped their third-round group, a point ahead of Jamaica.
Managed by Dick Advocaat, they are a defensive team with a blend of Dutch, technical flair on the counterattack. Players to watch are defenders, Eijma and Obispo. Midfielders L.Bacuna, and Comenencia. With Locadia, Handsen and Chong up front.
GROUP F
NETHERLANDS (7)
SWEDEN (38)
JAPAN (18)
TUNISIA (45)
The Netherlands are playing in their 12th World Cup and can be considered the tournament’s most unlucky team after being runner-up on three occasions: 1974, 1978 & 2010. They qualified by topping their group, three points ahead of Poland.
The Netherlands maintain a typical Dutch style of possession football, using technical players on and off the ball to open up opposition. Key players are defenders, Van Dijk, Van de Ven & Dumfries. Midfielders, Gravenberch, Reijnders and Koopmeinders, with forwards, Gakpo, Depay and Malen.
Making their 12th appearance at the World Cup, Sweden were runners-up in 1958 and third in 1994. They qualified most peculiarly. After finishing bottom of their group behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovakia. They made it to the playoffsvia their Nations League form (weird), beat Ukraine 3-1, then Poland 3-2 to qualify.
Sweden deploys a direct style of football from a structured system, with early balls to the wings and early crosses into the box. Players to watch are Lindelof and Gudmundsson. Midfielders, Karlstrom & Ayair. With forwards, Gyokeres and Isak.
The first team to qualify outside the host nations, Japan, are making their eighth appearance and reached the last 16 four times. They qualified by topping their first round group, nine points ahead of North Korea, winning all six games without conceding. Then topped their third-round group four points above Australia.
Japan likes to play quick, moving attacking football, with fluid, agile movement and plenty of runners. Players to watch are defenders, Ito and Itukura. Midfielders, Endo, Nakamura and Tanaka. With forwards, Ueda and Maeda.
Playing in their seventh World Cup, Tunisia have not advanced from the group stages on six occasions. They qualified by topping their group, 13 points above Namibia, winning eight, drawing one, without conceding a goal. They also had the second-highest goal difference.
Tunisia usually get by on having a solid defensive unit, with disciplined players behind the ball, then working on the counterattack to score goals. The key players are defenders, Talbi, Abdi and Bronn. Midfielders, Skhiri and Mejbri. With forwards, Mastouri and Saad.
GROUP G
BELGIUM (9)
EGYPT (28)
IRAN (21)
NEW ZEALAND (85)
Perennial underachievers, Belgium are appearing in their 15th tournament. Their best finish was third place in 2018, but they failed to advance from the group stage last time in 2022. They qualified by topping their group, two points above Wales.
Belgium plays measured passing football, blending finesse and physicality. Players to look out for are the goalkeeper, Courtois. Defenders, Meunier, De Cuyper and Castagne. Midfielders, De Bruyne and Tielemans. With forwards, Lukaku and Doku.
Egypt are Africa’s most successful nation, but playing in just their fourth tournament, and have yet to make it out of the group stages. They qualified by topping their group, five points above Burkina Faso.
Egypt try to adopt an athletic style of football, with willing runners down the wings and early balls into the box. Their key players are the goalkeeper, El Shenawy. Defenders, Rabia and Hany. Midfielders, Fathy and Attia. With Forwards, Salah, Trezeguet and Marmoush.
Despite political and world issues, Iran has qualified for their seventh World Cup but has yet to make it out of the group stages. They topped their second-round group on goal difference from Uzbekistan. Then, finished first in their third-round group, two points ahead of Uzbekistan.
Iran tries to play disciplined possession football, with willing runners. Players to look out for are the goalkeeper, Beiranvand. Defenders, Khalilzadeh, Hajsafi and Mohammadi. Midfielders, Jahanbakhsh and Mohebi. With Forwards, Taremi and Ghayedi.
New Zealand are the lowest-ranked team to qualify for the World Cup. They are playing in just their third tournament and have yet to make it out of the group stages. They topped their second-round group, three points above Tahiti, winning all three games. Then went into a playoff beating Fiji 7-0, then New Caledonia 3-0.
New Zealand are typically a physical outfit that relies on direct football with plenty of crosses and set pieces to create goalscoring opportunities. Players to watch are defenders, Bindon, Boxall and Cacace. Midfielders, Garbett, Stamenic and Just, with Wood up front.
GROUP H
SPAIN (2)
URUGUAY (17)
CAPE VERDE (68)
SAUDI ARABIA (61)
The 2010 champions, Spain, are one of the favourites and are playing in their 17th tournament. However, since they won it, they have not been past the last 16. They qualified by topping their group, three points above Turkey.
In recent years, Spain has refined their “tika taka” style of play to a more direct “pass and move” possession football. Key players are goalkeeper Raya. Defender, Llorente and Laporte. Midfielders, Rodri, Pedri and Olmo. With Forwards, Yamal, Oyarzabal and Torres.
Uruguay are two-time champions, winning it in 1930 and 1950, but have been inconsistent in their last four tournaments. They are playing in their 15th World Cup. They qualified by finishing fourth, behind Argentina and Ecuador, and Colombia, who finished on the same points and ahead of Brazil, who were also on the same points.
Managed by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay are an aggressive attacking outfit. They like high tempo in attack and high press in defence. Players to watch are defenders, Gimenez and Araujo. Midfielders, Valverde, Bentancur and De Arrascaeta. With Nunez up front.
The second of four debutants, Cape Verde are the third-smallest nation by population to reach the World Cup finals. They surprisingly qualified top of their group, four points above Cameroon and did not concede a home goal.
Although a heavy Portuguese influence, Cape Verde are a defensive team. They work from a compact unit and counterattack with decent technical ability up front. Players to look out for are the goalkeeper, Vozinha. Defenders, Pico, Costa and Cabral. Midfielders, Pina and Monteiro. With forwards, Mendes, Rodriguez and Benchimol.
Playing in their 7th tournament, Saudi Arabia finished second on goal difference to Jordan in their second-round group. Then third behind Japan and Australia in their third-round group. Then, in a fourth-round playoff, they drew 0-0 with Iraq and beat Indonesia 3-2 to top the group and qualify.
Saudi Arabia likes to play athletic/energetic attacking football with plenty of runners off the ball. Their key players are defenders Abdulhamid and Al-Tambakti. Midfielders, Al-Dawsari and Kanno. With forwards Al-Buraikan and Al-Shehri.
GROUP I
FRANCE (1)
NORWAY (31)
SENEGAL (14)
IRAQ (57)
The 2022 beaten finalist, France are playing in their 18th tournament. They are two-time winners in 1998 and 2018 and qualified comfortably by topping their group, six points above Ukraine.
France are a free-flowing attacking outfit, with a blend of pace, power, athleticism and skill. Players to watch are defenders, Kounde and Saliba. Midfielders, Kante, Cherki and Tchouameni. With forwards Mbappe, Dembele and Olise.
Norway are a dark-horse and are playing in their fourth tournament. Their best finish was the last 16 in 1998. They qualified by topping their group, six points ahead of Italy and won all eight of their games. They also scored the most goals in the European qualification.
Norway play direct football, with early balls up to their forwards and plenty of crosses into the box. Players to watch are defenders Ajer and Ryersen. Midfielders, Odegaaard and Berge. With forwards, Haaland, Sorloth and Larsen.
The African Cup of nations winners Senegal, are playing in their fourth World Cup. Their best was QFs in their debut appearance in 2002. They qualified by topping their group, two points above DR Congo.
Senegal are a physical and athletic team with a mix of flexible forward play and defensive solidity. Key players is the goalkeeper, Mendy. defenders, Koulibaly, Niakhate and Diouf. Midfielders, I.Gueye and PM.Sarr. With forwards, Mane, Ndiaye and I.Sarr.
Iraq were the last team to qualify and are playing in their second tournament after a group stage finish in 1996. They topped their second-round group, six points ahead of Indonesia, winning all six games.
Finished third behind South Korea and Jordan in their third-round group. Then, drew with Saudi Arabia and beat Indonesia in the fourth round to finish second. Then went into the fifth-round playoff with the UAE, where they drew 1-1 away and won 2-1 at home with a dramatic 90-17th minute penalty.
Iraq likes to play possession football, with more emphasis on being direct and physical. Players to watch is the goalkeeper, Hassan. Defenders, Doski, H.Ali and Tasheen. Midfielders, Bayesh and Amyn. With forwards, M.Ali and Hussein.
GROUP J
ARGENTINA (3)
AUSTRIA (23)
ALGERIA (29)
JORDAN (63)
The defending champions, Argentina, also won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and are one of the favourites. They qualified by topping their group, nine points ahead of Ecuador and scoring the most. They have contested the final in two of the last three tournaments.
Argentina plays aggressive, attacking football, with plenty of movement and flexibility. Key players are the goalkeeper, Martinez. Defenders, Romero, Martinez and Molina. Midfielders, Enzo, De Paul and Mac Allister. With forwards, Messi, Martinez and Alvarez.
Austria are playing in their ninth World Cup, but the first in 20 years, missing the last six tournaments. Their best finish was a third place in 1954. They qualified top of their group, two points ahead of Bosnia.
Managed by Ralf Rangnick, Austria plays from a well-drilled, semi-defensive system, with high pressing and quick transitions. Players to watch are defenders, Danso and Alba. Midfielders, Sabitzer, Laimer and Grillitsch. With Arnoutovic and Gregoritsch.
A possible dark horse in this group, Algeria are playing in their fifth tournament. Their best finish was in 2014, when they reached the last 16, which was the last time they qualified. They topped their group, seven points ahead of Uganda.
Algeria likes to play fluid attacking football, full of quick possession, short passes and flair. Their key players are defenders, Mandi, Ait Nouri and Bensebaini. Midfielders, Aouar and Bentaleb. With forwards, Mahrez. Amoura and Gouiri.
Jordan are the third of four debutants in this tournament. They topped their second-round group on goal difference from Saudi Arabia. Then, qualified as runners-up in their third-round group, six points behind South Korea but a point above Iraq.
Jordan adopts a defensive style of play, with a compact structure and athletic forwards for quick counterattacks. Players to watch are the goalkeeper, Abuliala. defenders, Nasib and Al-Arab. Midfielders, Al Rawabdeh and Al Rashdan. With forwards, Al Taamari and Olwan.
GROUP K
PORTUGAL (5)
COLOMBIA (13)
DR CONGO (45)
UZBEKISTAN (50)
Playing in their ninth tournament, Portugal’s best finish was third place in 1966; they also finished fourth in 2006, but have not been past the QF’s since. They qualified by topping their group, three points above Rep of Ireland.
Portugal plays slick “pass and move” possession football with technical and quick players on the ball. Their key players are defenders Dias and Cancelo. Midfielders, Bruno Fernandes, Bernando Silva and Vitinha. With forwards, Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Leao.
A possible dark horse, Colombia are playing in their seventh World Cup, their best was QF’s in 2014. They qualified third in their South American group, on the same points as Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay but ahead of them on goal difference.
Colombia play energetic, attacking football with a blend of athleticism, skill and aggressive pressing. Players to watch are defenders, Mina & Munoz. Midfielders, Rodriquez, Lerma and Arias. With Diaz and Suarez up front.
DR Congo are playing in their second tournament, after a group stage finish in 1974. Their long journey started by finishing second in their group, two points behind Senegal. In the playoffs, they surprisingly beat Cameroon 1-0, then Nigeria 4-3 on pens after drawing 1-1. Then went into a final playoff to beat Jamaica 1-0 aet.
DR Congo are a solid, physical and defensive outfit, who rely on the ability to create the odd chance up front. Players to look out for are defenders Wan-Bissaka and Mbemba. Midfielders, Moutoussamy and Makau. With forwards, Wissa, Elia and Bakambu.
The fourth of the four debutants. Uzbekistan finished second behind Iran on goal difference in their second-round group. Then, surprised many in their third-round group by finishing second again, two points behind Iran but ahead of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to qualify.
Uzbekistan tries to play measured possession football but often reverts to being tactically disciplined in defence with quick transitions. Players to watch are defenders, Khusanov and Ashurmatov. Midfielders, Shukurov and Uranov. With forwards, Shomuradov and Amanov.
GROUP L
ENGLAND (4)
CROAITA (11)
GHANA (73)
PANAMA (33)
England are playing in their eighth World Cup. They won it in 1966, but in the last seven tournaments have been past the QF’s once. They qualified by topping their group, ten points above Albania, winning all eight games without conceding a goal.
England likes to play fluid possession football in a structured system that transitions from defence to attack with ease. Their key players are the goalkeeper, Pickford. Defenders, Guehi, Stones and James. Midfielders, Bellingham and Rice, with forwards, Kane, Saka and Rashford.
The 2018 beaten finalist, Croatia are playing in their seventh tournament. They also finished third last time in 2022. They qualified by topping their group, six points ahead of the Czech Republic.
Croatia play measured possession football, with technical players on the ball, who then burst into life in the final third. Players to watch are defenders, Stansic and Gvardiol, Midfielders Modric, Kovacic and Pasalic, with Kramaric and Perisic up front.
Playing in their fifth World Cup, Ghana’s best finish was QFs in 2010, but in their two appearance since, they have failed to make it out of the group stages. They qualified by topping their group, six points ahead of Madagascar.
Ghana are a physical team and more defensive in nature, but uses pace and power on the wings to exploit spaces. Players to look out for are defenders, Mensah and Adjetey. Midfielders, Partey, Semenyo and Sulemana. With forwards Ayew and Williams.
In just their second World Cup appearance after 2018, where they failed to make it out of the group stages. Panama topped their second-round group, three points above Nicaragua, winning all four games. Then, they topped their third-round group three points above Suriname to qualify.
Panama likes to play neat “pass and move” football, with plenty of runners off the ball, from a disciplined structure. Their key players are defenders Cordoba, Escobar and Murillo. Midfielders, Diaz, Harvey and Barcanas. With Waterman up front.
QUARTER FINALS
France vs Morocco
Spain vs Belgium
Brazil vs England
Portugal vs Argentina
SEMI FINALS
France vs Spain
Brazil vs Argentina
FINAL
France vs Argentina
