The FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The 2026 World Cup will be quite a long tournament and will conclude on 19 July.
For the first time, 48 national teams will take part in the World Cup, playing a total of 104 matches.
2026 World Cup – group standings and qualification predictions
Group A
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will host the first of three opening ceremonies for this World Cup at this historic venue. This is the first stadium to host such a tournament for the third time – previously in 1970 and 1986. The other two opening ceremonies will take place atthe co-hosts’ stadiums in Canada and the USA, in Toronto and Los Angeles respectively.
Prediction
- Mexico
- Czech Republic
- South Korea
- South Africa
Group B
The FIFA World Cup will take place without the Italian national team for the third time in a row. Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated the four-time champions 4–1 on penalties (1–1 after extra time). This is the biggest upset in this group, where the matches have not even begun.
Prediction:
- Bosnia
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Qatar
Group C
Haiti will kick off their first World Cup in 52 years on Sunday in Boston against Scotland. The Caribbean underdogs will also face five-time world champions Brazil and African champions Morocco.
Prediction:
- Scotland
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
Group D
The USA will play their first group stage match against Paraguay on 13 June at SoFi Stadium, near Los Angeles International Airport. The home ground of the Rams and Chargers football teams will also host four other group stage matches, one first-round knockout match and one quarter-final.
Prediction:
- Australia
- USA
- Turkey
- Paraguay
Group E
The German team are the favourites to top the group. Ecuador could challenge for first place, so it won’t be plain sailing for the Europeans.
Prediction:
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Curaçao
Group F
The Netherlands are considered favourites in the group, but Ronald Koeman’s side do face stiff competition from Sweden and Japan.
Prediction:
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
Group G
Iran will clearly have to do without its own fans at the World Cup. The political situation is casting a shadow over football events.
According to the national federation, Iranian football fans will not receive the expected tickets for World Cup matches in the US in the near future. The federation is currently levelling accusations against the host country and is hoping for FIFA’s mediation.
The Iranian Football Federation (FFI) announced on Thursday that it has become impossible to sell tickets for the group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. The FFI accuses the United States, co-hosts of the World Cup, of attempting to prevent Iranian fans from attending the matches.
Prediction:
- Egypt
- Belgium
- Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
The ‘Red Fury’ are capable of winning the tournament. The group matches, particularly against Uruguay, will show just how accurate this prediction is.
Prediction:
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Saudi Arabia
- Cape Verde
Group I
The French national team, considered the tournament favourites, could top this group, but they will face challenges, with the Norwegians likely to pose the greatest threat.
Prediction:
- France
- Norway
- Senegal
- Iraq
Group J
Argentina will be the clear favourites in this group. The world champions are in top form and are well placed to defend their title, led by Lionel Messi, for whom this could be his final World Cup.
Prediction:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
Group K
The Portuguese are, as always, considered favourites to progress from the group, but, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, they traditionally falter in the knockout stages.
Prediction:
- Colombia
- Portugal
- DR Congo
- Uzbekistan
Group L
England breezed through their final test ahead of the 2026 World Cup, gaining confidence ahead of their opening match against Croatia with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. This result has likely brought some relief to the World Cup title contenders, given the constant pressure from the football community back home.
Prediction:
- Croatia
- England
- Ghana
- Panama
Between 11 June and 7 July, there will be at least one World Cup match every day. The first day without matches is 8 July, marking the transition from the round of 16 to the quarter-finals. The other days without matches are 12 and 13 July (after the quarter-finals) and 16 and 17 July (after the semi-finals).
As a reminder, the 2026 World Cup matches will be hosted by 16 stadiums across three countries.
