With the 2026 World Cup just days away, we're taking a deep dive into all 12 groups, highlighting the players to watch, examining the biggest storylines to follow, and offering thoughts on how things may play out. Here's everything you need to know about each group at the biggest World Cup in history.
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Group A: 🇲🇽🇿🇦🇰🇷🇨🇿
Group B: 🇨🇦🇧🇦🇶🇦🇨🇭
Group C: 🇧🇷🇲🇦🇭🇹🏴
Group D: 🇺🇸🇵🇾🇦🇺🇹🇷
Group E: 🇩🇪🇨🇼🇨🇮🇪🇨
Group F: 🇳🇱🇯🇵🇸🇪🇹🇳
Group G: 🇧🇪🇪🇬🇮🇷🇳🇿
Group H: 🇪🇸🇨🇻🇸🇦🇺🇾
Group I: 🇫🇷🇸🇳🇮🇶🇳🇴
Group J: 🇦🇷🇩🇿🇦🇹🇯🇴
Group K: 🇵🇹🇨🇩🇺🇿🇨🇴
Group L: 🏴🇭🇷🇬🇭🇵🇦
Group A
Mexico (co-host), South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Mexico 🇲🇽
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Key Player: Raul Jimenez
Rising Star: Gilberto Mora
FIFA Ranking: 15
Big question: Will the home crowd help or hurt Mexico? With El Tri nicely positioned after being placed in one of the tournament's most forgiving groups, the raucous home support should, in theory, provide a big boost. However, if Aguirre's inconsistent side struggles in the opener at the iconic Estadio Azteca, the pressure from the home fans could become suffocating.
South Africa 🇿🇦
Coach: Hugo Broos
Key Player: Teboho Mokoena
Rising Star: Relebohile Mofokeng
FIFA Ranking: 60
Big question: Broos has brought stability and continuity since his appointment in 2021, but will that be enough for Bafana Bafana to reach the knockout stage for the first time? Much will hinge on the performances of midfield lynchpin Mokoena, while Mofokeng must translate his club form with Orlando Pirates to the national team.
South Korea 🇰🇷
Coach: Hong Myung-bo
Key Player: Son Heung-min
Rising Star: Eom Ji-sung
FIFA Ranking: 25
Big question: Who will help Son? The adored captain remains the talisman for the Taegeuk Warriors, but at 33, he may not be able to carry the team on his back as he did in previous tournaments. Lee Kang-in and fellow stalwart Lee Jae-sung need to provide support in attack for the LAFC star.
Czechia 🇨🇿
Coach: Miroslav Koubek
Key Player: Patrik Schick
Rising Star: Hugo Sochurek
FIFA Ranking: 41
Big question: Is there enough technical quality in the team? Outside of star forward Schick, Czechia relies largely on its physicality, with robust midfielder Tomas Soucek the prime example in the middle of the pitch. Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc is the outlier who can provide a creative spark.
Predicted standings
Group B
Canada (co-host), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Canada 🇨🇦
Coach: Jesse Marsch
Key Player: Alphonso Davies
Rising Star: Ismael Kone
FIFA Ranking: 30
Big question: Will Davies play? The Bayern Munich star hasn't featured for his country in over a year due to various injuries, and he'll miss at least the opening match this summer - and possibly the entire group stage. Canada has made huge strides under Marsch, but it's clearly been missing Davies' explosiveness in open play, where the team still struggles to score. As Canada seeks its first-ever World Cup win, having its best player available is crucial to making any serious noise on home soil.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Coach: Sergej Barbarez
Key Player: Edin Dzeko
Rising Star: Kerim Alajbegovic
FIFA Ranking: 64
Big question: Can Bosnia manage the moment? A surprise qualifier after beating both Wales and Italy in the UEFA playoffs, the Bosnians play an aggressive, energetic style that leans heavily on a passionate group of players. Dzeko, the iconic 40-year-old captain who also competed in the 2014 World Cup, will be relied upon to keep the chaos controlled.
Qatar 🇶🇦
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
Key Player: Akram Afif
Rising Star: Ayoub Al-Alawi
FIFA Ranking: 55
Big question: What can Lopetegui do with a second chance? The experienced tactician was supposed to manage Spain at the 2018 World Cup but was shockingly dismissed just days ahead of the tournament over his flirtations - and eventual deal - with Real Madrid. Now he'll lead a Qatar side that will rely on a defensive, counterattacking style.
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Coach: Murat Yakin
Key Player: Granit Xhaka
Rising Star: Johan Manzambi
FIFA Ranking: 19
Big question: Can Switzerland set itself up for success? On paper, the Swiss are the best team in Group B, and topping the group could set them up for a favorable path to the round of 16. With Xhaka pulling the strings and the likes of Manzambi and Dan Ndoye providing the spark, Yakin will fancy his chances of engineering a lengthy run.
Predicted standings
Group C
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Brazil 🇧🇷
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Key Player: Vinicius Junior
Rising Star: Endrick
FIFA Ranking: 6
Big question: Can Ancelotti bring the good vibes back? The Selecao, five-time world champions, turned to the decorated Italian in an effort to bring attacking flair and freedom of expression back to the team. Despite lacking at both full-back positions and being somewhat light in midfield, Brazil's fortunes rest firmly with its star-studded attack.
Morocco 🇲🇦
Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi
Key Player: Achraf Hakimi
Rising Star: Ayyoub Bouaddi
FIFA Ranking: 7
Big question: How disruptive will the late managerial change prove to be? The Atlas Lions made history four years ago as Africa's first World Cup semifinalist, but the man who led them there, Walid Regragui, stepped down in March - less than 100 days before the tournament. Ouahbi, who has come in and reshaped the team, has a big task on his hands.
Haiti 🇭🇹
Coach: Sebastien Migne
Key Player: Wilson Isidor
Rising Star: Ruben Providence
FIFA Ranking: 82
Big question: Can Isidor inspire the attack? Featuring in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, the Grenadiers got a huge boost when the French-born Sunderland forward decided in March to play for Haiti. If it can beat Scotland in its opener, there's a potential path to the knockout stages.
Scotland 🏴
Coach: Steve Clarke
Key Player: Scott McTominay
Rising Star: Findlay Curtis
FIFA Ranking: 43
Big question: How badly will losing Billy Gilmour hurt? Scotland suffered a major blow when the Napoli midfielder was ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury. His club teammate, McTominay, was already going to carry the load for Clarke's side, but he'll now have to do even more.
Predicted standings
Group D
United States (co-host), Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
United States 🇺🇸
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Key Player: Christian Pulisic
Rising Star: Alex Freeman
FIFA Ranking: 16
Big question: Can Pulisic rediscover his best form? While debates swirl around Pochettino's tactical tinkering, roster ommissions, and the pressures of playing at home, it's ultimately the performance of their best player that will primarily determine whether the Americans advance beyond the round of 16 for the first time since 2002.
Australia 🇦🇺
Coach: Tony Popovic
Key Player: Jackson Irvine
Rising Star: Cristian Volpato
FIFA Ranking: 27
Big question: Will Volpato make a splash? Capable of operating as an attacking midfielder or winger, the 22-year-old committed to Australia - the country of his birth - over Italy in May, earning an immediate call to the World Cup squad from Popovic. Together with Nestory Irankunda, Volpato could boost an otherwise solid but unspectacular Socceroos outfit.
Paraguay 🇵🇾
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro
Key Player: Julio Enciso
Rising Star: Alexandro Maidana
FIFA Ranking: 40
Big question: Will Paraguay grind out results? With Alfaro crafting a tenacious squad, La Albirroja will be a tough out for any opponent. However, scoring hasn't come easily for them. Only Chile and Peru found the net fewer times than Paraguay in World Cup qualifying. The creative burden on Enciso is huge, and his pre-tournament injury looms large.
Turkiye 🇹🇷
Coach: Vincenzo Montella
Key Player: Arda Guler
Rising Star: Kenan Yildiz
FIFA Ranking: 22
Big question: Can Turkiye score by committee? Montella's squad is the most talented in Group D, with Hakan Calhanoglu offering control in midfield and blossoming youngsters Guler and Yildiz providing genuine hope of a golden generation. Still, the lack of a trusted No. 9 is glaring.
Predicted standings
Group E
Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany 🇩🇪
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Key Player: Jamal Musiala
Rising Star: Aleksandar Pavlovic
FIFA Ranking: 10
Big question: Can Florian Wirtz shake off his underwhelming club season? The 23-year-old had a tricky transition to the Premier League in his first year with Liverpool, but he can put that behind him with a strong World Cup. The Germans, looking to rebound after back-to-back shocking group-stage exits at the last two tournaments, need Wirtz to shine.
Curacao 🇨🇼
Coach: Dick Advocaat
Key Player: Leandro Bacuna
Rising Star: Ar'jany Martha
FIFA Ranking: 83
Big question: Should Curacao change its stripes? The smallest nation ever to feature in the tournament, Curacao secured a World Cup berth using a possession-based style under seasoned Dutch manager Advocaat. But in an exceedingly difficult group that includes an opening test versus Germany, the Blue Wave might be forced to alter that approach.
Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Coach: Emerse Fae
Key Player: Amad Diallo
Rising Star: Yan Diomande
FIFA Ranking: 34
Big question: Is this the tournament's most dangerous dark horse? The Elephants arrive in North America with an enviable bevy of attacking talent, especially in wide areas. Diomande, being chased by Europe's biggest clubs in the transfer window, could be the biggest breakout star of all this summer.
Ecuador 🇪🇨
Coach: Sebastian Beccacece
Key Player: Moises Caicedo
Rising Star: Kendry Paez
FIFA Ranking: 24
Big question: Does defense win championships? Scoring remains an issue - Enner Valencia is still the main man up front! - but Ecuador is among the most stout sides in the world, conceding just five goals in 18 qualifiers. Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, and Joel Ordonez anchor an uncompromising backline that's shielded by star midfielder Caicedo.
Predicted standings
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Coach: Ronald Koeman
Key Player: Virgil van Dijk
Rising Star: Bart Verbruggen
FIFA Ranking: 8
Big question: Can Koeman deliver on expectations? The Oranje boast an exceptional roster from back to front. They're blessed with impressive defenders, a variety of midfield profiles, and one of the world's hottest strikers right now in Donyell Malen. The biggest debate in the Netherlands is whether Koeman is the right manager to get the best out of this talented group.
Japan 🇯🇵
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Key Player: Takefusa Kubo
Rising Star: Keisuke Goto
FIFA Ranking: 18
Big question: Can the Samurai Blue overcome injuries? Asian powerhouse Japan has its eyes on an historic run this summer, aiming to evolve from perennial dark horse to genuine contender. The skill and cohesion are certainly there, but injuries to Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino, along with concerns about Wataru Endo's fitness, could scupper those plans.
Sweden 🇸🇪
Coach: Graham Potter
Key Player: Alexander Isak
Rising Star: Lucas Bergvall
FIFA Ranking: 38
Big question: What can Isak produce? Potter has two elite strikers at his disposal in Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, but the former - the most expensive player in Premier League history - is coming off a gruesome leg and ankle injury that torpedoed his first season at Liverpool. Not ideal preparations going into the biggest tournament of your life.
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Coach: Sabri Lamouchi
Key Player: Hannibal Mejbri
Rising Star: Khalil Ayari
FIFA Ranking: 46
Big question: Did a tough draw ruin a golden opportunity? The World Cup's expansion to 48 teams gave the Eagles of Carthage hope of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time, but Lamouchi's sturdy squad will have to navigate three challenging opponents.
Predicted standings
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium 🇧🇪
Coach: Rudi Garcia
Key Player: Thibaut Courtois
Rising Star: Zeno Debast
FIFA Ranking: 9
Big question: What do Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have left in the tank? The two main holdovers from Belgium's "golden generation" had injury-hit seasons at Napoli - Lukaku played only 44 Serie A minutes - but will again be relied upon heavily. Jeremy Doku is the team's main attacking threat, while star goalkeeper Courtois can bail the Red Devils out when necessary.
Egypt 🇪🇬
Coach: Hossam Hassan
Key Player: Mohamed Salah
Rising Star: Hamza Abdelkarim
FIFA Ranking: 29
Big question: Who will support Salah? The Pharaohs are solid overall, but they have obvious limitations beyond their talisman. Manchester City's Omar Marmoush needs to be a protagonist to help out his compatriot, and imposing teenager Abdelkarim, dubbed the "Egyptian Haaland," could make an impact as a late-game substitute.
Iran 🇮🇷
Coach: Amir Ghalenoei
Key Player: Mehdi Taremi
Rising Star: Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
FIFA Ranking: 21
Big question: Can Iran block out the noise? Through no fault of their own, Ghalenoei and his players have faced massive disruptions to their tournament preparations, the result of tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Despite all the issues, Ghalenoei still believes his team can do something "epic" this summer.
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Coach: Darren Bazeley
Key Player: Chris Wood
Rising Star: Finn Surman
FIFA Ranking: 85
Big question: Can New Zealand silence the doubters? The All Whites are the tournament's lowest-ranked team, but they figure to be mainstays for years to come after Oceania was given a full qualification slot following the expansion to 48 teams. A strong showing this summer will quiet those who argue the almost guaranteed berth isn't warranted.
Predicted standings
Group H
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Spain 🇪🇸
Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Key Player: Lamine Yamal
Rising Star: Pau Cubarsi
FIFA Ranking: 2
Big question: Is the injury bug the only thing that can stop Spain? The reigning European champion is the most balanced team in the tournament and, unsurprisingly, the betting favorite. But three vital players - Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri - are all battling fitness issues that could test La Roja's depth as they chase a second World Cup title.
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Coach: Bubista
Key Player: Dailon Livramento
Rising Star: Sidny Lopes Cabral
FIFA Ranking: 68
Big question: What's a World Cup without some surprises? Cape Verde received no favors upon reaching the tournament for the first time, entering as an enormous underdog against Spain and Uruguay. However, under the new format, a win in the group finale against Saudi Arabia might be enough for Bubista's team to advance, depending on goal difference.
Uruguay 🇺🇾
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Key Player: Federico Valverde
Rising Star: Facundo Pellistri
FIFA Ranking: 17
Big question: Where will the goals come from? With Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani no longer in the picture, Uruguay will be banking on Darwin Nunez up front. He may be the tournament's biggest wild card. Like any Bielsa-led team, La Celeste will play with intensity and press high to create chances from open play.
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Coach: Georgios Donis
Key Player: Salem Al-Dawsari
Rising Star: Ziyad Al-Johani
FIFA Ranking: 61
Big question: How valuable is unpredictability? Herve Renard, the familiar coach who led the Green Falcons to their seismic upset over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, was fired in April. If nothing else, Saudi Arabia's Group H opponents won't have much to work off when it comes to preparing for a Donis-led version of this team.
Predicted standings
Group I
France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
France 🇫🇷
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Key Player: Kylian Mbappe
Rising Star: Warren Zaire-Emery
FIFA Ranking: 1
Big question: Will Deschamps take the hand brake off? He might not have a choice. The departing manager has a truly absurd collection of riches to choose from when picking his XI. That's especially true in attack, where Mbappe is joined by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, and more. Deschamps' toughest task will be fitting all the pieces together.
Senegal 🇸🇳
Coach: Pape Thiaw
Key Player: Sadio Mane
Rising Star: Ibrahim Mbaye
FIFA Ranking: 14
Big question: Is a repeat on the cards? Senegal's upset win over France at the 2002 World Cup is one of the tournament's most memorable, and the Lions of Teranga have the tools, particularly up front, to cause Les Bleus problems in transition when they lock horns this time around.
Iraq 🇮🇶
Coach: Graham Arnold
Key Player: Aymen Hussein
Rising Star: Marko Farji
FIFA Ranking: 57
Big question: Can this be a building block? Iraq is back at the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after a marathon 21 qualifying matches. A brutal draw means Arnold's team faces long odds of advancing beyond the group stage. Still, this experience could be invaluable for young forwards like Farji and Ali Jassim as the Lions of Mesopotamia look to the future.
Norway 🇳🇴
Coach: Stale Solbakken
Key Player: Erling Haaland
Rising Star: Antonio Nusa
FIFA Ranking: 31
Big question: Will the attack stay red-hot when it counts? Norway scored 37 goals in eight qualifying matches, with Haaland responsible for 16 of those tallies. The insatiable striker leads an explosive and multifaceted collection of forwards at Solbakken's disposal. Nobody wants to play against Norway this summer.
Predicted standings
Group J
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Argentina 🇦🇷
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Key Player: Lionel Messi
Rising Star: Nico Paz
FIFA Ranking: 3
Big question: Can Argentina go back-to-back? There hasn't been a repeat World Cup winner since Brazil in 1962, but the Albiceleste have all the tools to join their eternal rivals. Messi's fitness remains a big concern, but if healthy, he's still more than capable of flipping the switch when it matters most.
Algeria 🇩🇿
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Key Player: Riyad Mahrez
Rising Star: Ibrahim Maza
FIFA Ranking: 28
Big question: Which version of Algeria will show up? Les Fennecs are tough to pin down. Although they dominated qualifying and have looked good in recent friendlies against quality opposition, their most recent high-pressure contest was a dispiriting AFCON loss to Nigeria in which they got badly outplayed. Was that a one-off?
Austria 🇦🇹
Coach: Ralf Rangnick
Key Player: Konrad Laimer
Rising Star: Carney Chukwuemeka
FIFA Ranking: 23
Big question: Can Austria overcome Christoph Baumgartner's absence? Rangnick's side is among the most well-oiled in international football, with a clear tactical identity built around intense pressing. But losing the RB Leipzig attacking midfielder to injury robs the team of its most creative playmaker.
Jordan 🇯🇴
Coach: Jamal Sellami
Key Player: Mousa Al-Tamari
Rising Star: Ibrahim Sabra
FIFA Ranking: 63
Big question: Is this a one-man show now? Losing Yazan Al-Naimat to injury was a bitter blow ahead of Jordan's World Cup debut. Without the striker, Sellami will likely rely heavily on star winger Al-Tamari to create chances by using his pace on the counterattack. The Rennes forward had six goals and six assists while appearing in all but one Ligue 1 match this past season.
Predicted standings
Group K
Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Portugal 🇵🇹
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Key Player: Vitinha
Rising Star: Joao Neves
FIFA Ranking: 5
Big question: Can Cristiano Ronaldo still deliver the goods? Portugal is one of the most stacked teams in the tournament and boasts a truly elite midfield. Now 41 and playing against inferior competition at club level, Ronaldo needs to bring his game up several notches as he chases an elusive World Cup title.
DR Congo 🇨🇩
Coach: Sebastien Desabre
Key Player: Yoane Wissa
Rising Star: Noah Sadiki
FIFA Ranking: 45
Big question: Is there an upset brewing? The Leopards have the precise makeup of a team that can pull off World Cup shockers: very resolute at the back, a dynamic player buzzing around in midfield (Sadiki), and forwards who can take their chances when they arrive (Wissa and Cedric Bakambu).
Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
Coach: Fabio Cannavaro
Key Player: Abdukodir Khusanov
Rising Star: Abbosbek Fayzullaev
FIFA Ranking: 50
Big question: What wisdom can Cannavaro impart? The Uzbekistan boss was the influential captain of the Italian side that rode its elite backline to the 2006 World Cup crown. The White Wolves obviously won't win the tournament in their debut, but expect a similar defensive approach with Khusanov at the heart of it.
Colombia 🇨🇴
Coach: Nestor Lorenzo
Key Player: Luis Diaz
Rising Star: Gustavo Puerta
FIFA Ranking: 13
Big question: Can we trust Luis Suarez? No, not that one. The Colombian striker is coming off a brilliant first season with Sporting CP, but his career history suggests that was an aberration. If he maintains that form, though, Los Cafeteros will be a serious problem for everyone else in the competition.
Predicted standings
Group L
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England 🏴
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Key Player: Harry Kane
Rising Star: Nico O'Reilly
FIFA Ranking: 4
Big question: Did Tuchel make a mistake? Headlined by Kane and Declan Rice, England is a serious threat to win the World Cup. However, the Three Lions have struggled to create chances consistently under the German boss. Leaving creative players like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home may come back to bite them.
Croatia 🇭🇷
Coach: Zlatko Dalic
Key Player: Luka Modric
Rising Star: Luka Vuskovic
FIFA Ranking: 11
Big question: Experience or exhaustion? If Croatia makes another deep World Cup run, the savviness of legendary veterans like Modric and Ivan Perisic will be a familiar refrain. If the team struggles to cope in what could be grueling conditions, age will be offered as an explanation. Croatia's youngsters must step up to help the battle-tested core.
Ghana 🇬🇭
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
Key Player: Antoine Semenyo
Rising Star: Caleb Yirenkyi
FIFA Ranking: 73
Big question: Are there concerns in defense? Led by Semenyo, the Black Stars have an exciting array of attackers who could light up the tournament at any moment. But the backline lacks an obvious leader, and late-bloomer Benjamin Asare is largely untested as the No. 1 netminder on the international stage.
Panama 🇵🇦
Coach: Thomas Christiansen
Key Player: Adalberto Carrasquilla
Rising Star: Jose Cordoba
FIFA Ranking: 33
Big question: Have they learned any lessons? Panama's last World Cup appearance in 2018 was a total nightmare, as it finished last overall after losing all three group matches and conceding 11 goals. Since then, Los Canaleros have made strides, benefiting from the continuity of Christiansen, hired in 2020, and a settled squad.
Predicted standings
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