Sports
My 2026 FIFA World Cup Predictions: Who Will Qualify From Each Group?
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup format brings more teams, more drama, and more opportunities for surprises. With 48 nations competing across 12 groups, the top two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the Round of 32, while the eight best third-placed teams will also advance.
After looking at the groups, current squad strength, coaching quality, tournament experience, and recent form, here are my predictions for who will advance from each group.
Group A
1st: Mexico
2nd: South Korea
Mexico’s experience and home continent advantage should be enough to secure top spot. South Korea has consistently proven difficult to eliminate from major tournaments and should finish ahead of Czechia and South Africa.
Group B
1st: Switzerland
2nd: Canada
Switzerland remains one of the most organized teams in international football. Canada has enough quality and home support to edge out Bosnia and Qatar.
Group C
1st: Brazil
2nd: Morocco
Brazil should comfortably top the group. Morocco’s impressive performances in recent tournaments make them favorites for second place ahead of Scotland and Haiti.
Group D
1st: USA
2nd: Türkiye
Although I do not see the USA making a deep tournament run, I expect them to win this group. Türkiye has enough talent to finish second ahead of Paraguay and Australia.
Group E
1st: Germany
2nd: Ecuador
Germany should have little trouble finishing first. Ecuador’s athleticism and tournament discipline should see them narrowly edge Ivory Coast.
Group F
1st: Netherlands
2nd: Japan
One of the most exciting groups in the tournament. Japan continues to improve with every World Cup and should finish ahead of Sweden and Tunisia.
Group G
1st: Belgium
2nd: Egypt
Belgium’s golden generation may be aging, but they still possess enough quality to win the group. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, should take second.
Group H
1st: Spain
2nd: Uruguay
This could be one of the strongest groups in the competition. Spain’s technical quality gives them the edge, while Uruguay’s tournament pedigree should carry them through.
Group I
1st: France
2nd: Senegal
France remains one of the favorites to win the tournament. Senegal has enough quality and athleticism to finish ahead of Norway and Iraq.
Group J
1st: Argentina
2nd: Austria
Argentina’s experience should be enough to secure first place. Austria could quietly become one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Group K
1st: Portugal
2nd: Colombia
This is one of the toughest groups to predict. Portugal’s quality and motivation should see them finish first, while Colombia narrowly edges DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
Group L
1st: England
2nd: Croatia
England’s talent depth should be enough to top the group. Croatia’s experience in major tournaments gives them the advantage over Ghana and Panama.
Predicted Best Third-Placed Teams
The eight third-placed teams I believe will advance are:
- Morocco (Group C)
- Paraguay (Group D)
- Ivory Coast (Group E)
- Sweden (Group F)
- Uruguay (Group H)
- Norway (Group I)
- Algeria (Group J)
- Ghana (Group L)
My Predicted Round of 32 Teams
Group Winners
- Mexico
- Switzerland
- Brazil
- USA
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Spain
- France
- Argentina
- Portugal
- England
Group Runners-Up
- South Korea
- Canada
- Morocco
- Türkiye
- Ecuador
- Japan
- Egypt
- Uruguay
- Senegal
- Austria
- Colombia
- Croatia
Best Third-Placed Teams
- Paraguay
- Ivory Coast
- Sweden
- Norway
- Algeria
- Ghana
- DR Congo
- South Africa
Final Thoughts
Every World Cup prediction looks brilliant until the first upset arrives.
However, if I had to pick the teams most likely to dominate the group stage, I would point to Brazil, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, Argentina, and England.
As for the eventual winner, I still believe the trophy will be lifted by either Portugal or Brazil.
Feel free to save this article and revisit it when the tournament begins. Football has a habit of making experts look foolish, but that’s exactly why we love it.