FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Odds and Breakdown

With 48 teams taking part this summer, World Cup 2026 will be the biggest edition of the tournament we have ever seen. The USA, Canada, and Mexico will stage 104 matches between them in June and July, and by the end of it all one team will be crowned champions of world soccer.

In this article, we have analyzed all 12 groups at the upcoming tournament. With the expansion to a 48-team World Cup bracket, understanding the path to the knockout stages is more complex than ever. As well as revealing the latest World Cup group odds, we have made some predictions for World Cup 2026 and highlighted a key match-up in each section.

2026 World Cup Group Stage: Favorites and Underdogs

Which teams are expected to progress to the knockout phase, and which sides will have to upset the odds to do so? Here is our analysis of all 12 World Cup 2026 groups. All odds below are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Get more info in our full FanDuel Sportsbook review.

World Cup - Group A

⚽ Group A Teams: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

World Cup matches will be played in Mexico for the third time and El Tri intend to go deep on home soil. They will back themselves to win Group A, although nothing should be taken for granted. South Korea are not a one-man team, while Czechia are physical and direct. South Africa play decent soccer but they can be bullied by more streetwise teams.

• Key Matchup -  South Korea vs Czechia: With Mexico in pole position to win Group A, this clash will determine who finishes as runners-up.

• Predicted to Advance: Mexico and Czechia.

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World Cup - Group B

⚽ Group B Teams: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland. 

The World Cup group B odds have Switzerland down as favorites. They excelled at Euro 2024, beating Italy impressively in the knockout phase. Bosnia & Herzegovina eliminated the Italians in the play-offs, while Qatar are two-time Asian champions. As co-hosts, Canada should benefit from home advantage, which is why they are second-favorites to qualify for the round of 32.

• Key Matchup - Switzerland vs Canada: If both teams perform well in their first two games, this will probably be a Group B decider on matchday three.

• Predicted to Advance: Switzerland and Canada.

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World Cup - Group C

⚽ Group C Teams: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.

Brazil are one of the strongest sides across all FIFA World Cup groups 2026. They did not have everything their own way in qualifying, but the improvement has been obvious since Carlo Ancelotti became their manager. Morocco reached the last four of the tournament four years ago, while Scotland are delighted to be back. Haiti are rank outsiders to reach the next round.

• Key Matchup - Brazil vs Morocco: The Selecao will have to break down stubborn opposition in Morocco in their first outing.

• Predicted to Advance: Brazil and Morocco.

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World Cup - Group D

⚽ Group D Teams: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.

OOf all 12 World Cup groups 2026, this one looks like the most open. Home advantage means the USA are narrow favorites to finish top, but Turkey are probably the best side in Group D. Paraguay and Australia are potentially awkward opponents too. Both teams are well organised and will fight for every point. It will be intriguing to watch Group D unfold in a few weeks’ time.

• Key Matchup - Turkey vs USA: The USA face their stiffest test in their third group game, as Turkey attempt to win Group D at their expense.

• Predicted to Advance: Turkey and USA.

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World Cup - Group E

⚽ Group E Teams: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao.

Germany will almost certainly top the World Cup group standings in this section. The Nationalelf showed signs of improvement at Euro 2024, and the fact they are not among the outright favorites might actually work in their favor. Ecuador and Ivory Coast will probably battle it out for second, but debutants Curacao could cause stronger opponents one or two issues in Group E.

• Key Matchup - Ivory Coast vs Ecuador: Germany will back themselves to win Group E, leaving Ivory Coast and Ecuador to fight for second spot. 

• Predicted to Advance: Germany and Ecuador.

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World Cup - Group F

⚽ Group F Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.

The Netherlands are the favorites to win Group F, but they will not have everything their own way. Japan shone in the World Cup group stage in 2022, beating both Spain and Germany to advance in first place. Sweden were poor in qualifying, but with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres up front, they have ample firepower. Tunisia are the weakest side here.

• Key Matchup - Netherlands vs Japan: This is a chance for the Samurai Blue to make a statement against a European heavyweight in their first group game.

• Predicted to Advance: Japan and Netherlands.

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World Cup - Group G

⚽ Group G Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand. 

All 12 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup groups contain an obvious favorite, and Belgium claim that status in Group G. The Red Devils will have been pleased with the draw, but Egypt could shock them if the European outfit are not fully focused. Iran will not be short of motivation given off-field events, but it would take a huge effort for New Zealand to make it through.

• Key Matchup - Egypt vs Iran: Belgium are the strongest team in Group G, with Egypt and Iran both targeting second place.

• Predicted to Advance: Belgium and Iran.

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World Cup - Group H

⚽ Group H Teams: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.

Spain won Euro 2024 in impressive fashion and many of the best online sportsbooks rate them as the favorites to lift the trophy in North America. Uruguay have the potential to challenge for top spot, but their form has been mediocre for much of the past year. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Cape Verde should be ruled out, although third place is the realistic target for both teams.

• Key Matchup - Uruguay vs Spain: Spain, the European champions, must be fully focused against a Uruguay team that relish being underdogs.

• Predicted to Advance: Spain and Uruguay.

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World Cup - Group I

⚽ Group I Teams: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.

France are the heavyweight team in Group I. Winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, they will fancy their chances of reaching a third consecutive final this summer. Norway are one to watch after their fantastic record in qualifying, while Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations on the pitch earlier this year. The draw was not pleasant for Iraq.

• Key Matchup - Norway vs France: Erling Haaland’s Norway will go head-to-head with Kylian Mbappe’s France on matchday three in Group I.

• Predicted to Advance: France and Senegal.

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World Cup - Group J

Argentina are seeking to become only the third nation (after Italy in 1930 and 1934, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962) to win back-to-back World Cups following their triumph in 2022. They should win Group J, with Algeria and Austria set to fight for second. Jordan are debutants and will feel they have nothing to lose this summer, which potentially makes them dangerous.

⚽ Group J Teams: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.

• Key Matchup - Algeria vs Austria: The winner of this clash in Kansas City will be the favorites to join Argentina in the round of 32.

• Predicted to Advance: Argentina and Algeria.

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World Cup - Group K

⚽ Group K Teams: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia. 

Portugal are one of the dark horses to win the World Cup. Despite being a smaller nation than many of the other contenders for the title, Portugal’s squad contains as much talent as any other. Colombia could also surprise a few people this summer. DR Congo are favorites for third place, while Uzbekistan are the outsiders in Group K in their first World Cup appearance.

• Key Matchup - Colombia vs Portugal: This will be Portugal’s first major test at World Cup 2026, with Colombia more than capable of giving them a game.

• Predicted to Advance: Portugal and Colombia.

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World Cup - Group L

⚽ Group L Teams: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama. 

This is one of the groups World Cup 2026 that contains two European teams in England and Croatia. Thomas Tuchel has one of the strongest rosters at his disposal, so the Three Lions are widely fancied to top this section. Croatia are dangerous, though, and Ghana should not be underestimated either. Unfortunately for Panama, it will be tough for them to qualify.

• Key Matchup - England vs Croatia: These two teams have played each other numerous times in recent years, but this is still an intriguing encounter. 

• Predicted to Advance: England and Croatia.

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The World Cup 2026 Dark Horses

Every World Cup features at least one surprise package. Here are four teams who will likely punch above their weight.

• Japan: Japan caught the eye four years ago, beating both Spain and Germany in the group stage. The Samurai Blue are Asia’s best hope of a first world champion.

• Mexico: With home advantage on their side, Mexico are aiming to reach the latter stages of World Cup 2026. El Tri have been building towards this moment for years.

• Ecuador: Ecuador had one of the youngest squads at World Cup 2022. Four years on, their gifted group of players is capable of springing a surprise or two.

• Switzerland: The draw has been kind to Switzerland, especially after Italy failed to qualify via the play-offs. They impressed at Euro 2024 and are one to watch in North America.

Understanding the New 2026 Group Stage Format

The expansion of the World Cup has forced FIFA to tinker with the format. There will be 12 groups of four at the upcoming edition, with the eight best third-place finishers advancing to the round of 32 alongside the group winners and runners-up.

This new structure changes how teams approach the group stage. Goal differential and avoiding heavy defeats will be critical for teams fighting for those third-place spots. It also introduces an entirely new knockout phase, meaning the eventual champions will need to navigate an eight-game schedule. For a complete breakdown of how the knockout pathways work, check out our in-depth guide on the World Cup 48 team bracket.

The Favorites: Who is Most Likely to Win the 2026 World Cup? 

The following four teams are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup in North America.

• France: Les Bleus possess unmatched depth, experience, and prime-age superstar talent. They have reached the last two finals and are strong contenders in 2026.

• Brazil: Brazil’s attacking firepower is up there with the best, and the five-time champions are not short of motivation having now gone 22 years without winning the World Cup.

• England: The Premier League is the strongest league in the world, so England have an elite domestic talent pool to choose from. In addition, Thomas Tuchel is a world-class coach.

• Spain: Spain are the reigning European champions and they are now aiming to triumph on the world stage. Their possession game is ideally suited to the heat of North America.

Who Lifts the World Cup 2026 Trophy?

We are backing Brazil to lift the 2026 World Cup trophy. Even with the managerial shift to Dorival Júnior, the Seleção still boast an unmatched depth of elite attacking talent. Their current roster is built to efficiently break down defensive blocks during the group stage and outpace opponents in the newly expanded, eight-game knockout format. With a highly favorable projected pathway and elite players competing at the highest levels of European club soccer, Brazil has the ideal mix of experience and firepower to win FIFA World Cup 2026. We expect them to edge out France in the final.