Eventually, every World Cup reaches the same point. The debates quiet down, the predictions start flying, and attention turns back to the pitch. For all the noise surrounding this tournament, football remains the main attraction. The draw has handed us heavyweight clashes, emerging contenders, and a handful of nations looking to write their own piece of history. Here’s how each group stacks up.
Group A
Featuring co-host Mexico, South Africa, who returns for the first time since hosting in 2010, regulars at this point, South Korea, and the Czech Republic, whose last time at the World Cup was in Germany 2006. On Thursday, the first game will be hosted at the iconic Estadio Azteca – which is hosting an unprecedented 3rd World Cup opening game.
Mexico are expected to qualify, but South Korea, led by Son Hueng Min, just may trump them with a general spread of quality to first place.
Prediction
South Korea and Mexico qualify
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Group B
Canada qualified for their second World Cup in 2022, now featuring as a co-host, they see two World Cups in a row. Bosnia returns after missing 2 editions in a row, and Qatar qualify after being the previous hosts. The Swiss make the 4th team in the group, and it seems to be an awkward assortment of teams.
Prediction
Switzerland and Bosnia qualify
Group C
A group of death, or rather torture, consisting of the legendary Brazil, a rising Morocco, a returning Scotland and Haiti. Due to the CONCACAF additions, nobody can really judge Haiti against such sides – but they’re assumed to hold that last place. The Brazilians have been misguided in recent World Cups. But now, led by a legendary Carlo Ancelotti, high expectations have been placed upon them. Morocco’s wonderful 2022 World Cup remains in mind, as they have a chance to showcase their greatness against the best the competition has ever seen. Scotland’s dreams of returning to the World Cup have led them to this thrilling group. With the likes of Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, and Scott McTominay, they will certainly be an exciting team to see. But can they cause an upset to the two heavy hitters? We shall see. Endrick, Rayan, and Brahim Diaz – all have my attention.
Prediction
Brazil and Morocco qualify
Group D
The United States are expected to do great things, having assembled a team greater than ever before. But they can’t ignore the likes of Turkey in the group, a surging Australia, and even a low-key Paraguay, who returns to the World Cup for the first time since South Africa. It is unfortunate that Paraguay’s best player, Julio Enciso, was injured in a friendly – which scrambles their chances. The USA’s team is brimming with talent, mostly playing in Europe; Turkey has a super talented squad, and Australia is leaning on a lot of experience. Not the most attractive group, but it will definitely have some banging matches. Watch out of Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler.
Prediction
Turkey and the United States qualify
Group E
Germany has great expectations, but is presented with a tricky group bar debutants, Curacao – a team that actually has 22 Dutch-born players, the Netherlands being a go-to location for migration. Ivory Coast just battled with a full-strength France, stride for stride, shot for shot, and showed a tenacity that could cause the Germans problems. So can Ecuador, a squad that boasts a stalwart defence – including PSG’s Willian Pacho, Arsenal loanee Piero Hincapie, Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, Milan’s Pervis Estupinan, and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.
Starlet Kendry Paez sits in Midfield, and a spread of an eclectic attack is optioned around him. Ecuador, in my opinion, is a team to keep an eye on. This may be the toughest group so far.
Prediction
Germany and Ivory Coast qualify… but Ecuador are no easy task
Group F
We always expect grand things from the Netherlands, but they have often disappointed at the World Cup. Led by Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch may have the best defence in the competition – but unable to bring Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is a massive miss. Japan have an awesome team, philosophy, and studied approach to football. Their impressive displays have seen them beat the likes of England and Brazil recently, with an acknowledgement of a general push to better the state of Japanese football. Check out Bluelock, for example.
Sweden has had a torrid time in World Cup competition, missing many consecutively and being unable to build momentum for it. Returning with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, they might have the two best number 9s to play with. But they’ve been poor tactically and have scrapped qualification. With an awkward Tunisian side to play too, this group seems too divided to see anything other than a Netherlands and Japan qualification.
Prediction
Japan and Netherlands qualify
Group G
Another easier group to assess, consisting of the remnants of a golden generation Belgium, Mohammed Salah’s Egypt, an afflicted by the setting Iran, and a New Zealand led by the iconic Tim Payne – this group seems to be asking its most experience teams to escape. Belgium have been disappointing in international competition over the last decade and a bit, despite having talents like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, and countless others, don the Belgian strip. It seems fitting that in its golden generations last playing legs they’re presented with a group that should be easy to advance. Egypt’s robust defence and stinging attack has Salah’s playmaking to rely on. Both teams should be able to see it through.
Prediction
Belgium and Egypt qualify
Group H
Another questionable group if you are an avid football fan. Euro Cup holders Spain entertain Cape Verde, a debutant, a surging Saudi Arabia, hardened with players who have competed in a rising Saudi Pro League, and Uruguay – an iconic team that’s woven its way into the fabric of the competition historically. Lamine Yamal’s still recovering from injury, but Spain’s imposing tiki-taka style is so overwhelming and tactically immense – we assume they shall pass their opponents to death and find a way to break any team.
Having seen Cape Verde in action at the AFCON, they are a real side. I don’t expect them to be overwhelmed, but the quality of games will ultimately be different. Saudi Arabia can really ball, as we saw with them beating World Cup winners in Qatar. Uruguay have a powerful team, but will need someone to take the lead – like Real Madrid’s Valverde- to make a statement at this World Cup.
Prediction
Spain and Uruguay qualify
Group I
France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway – this must be the group of death. France have appeared in finals in a row, winning in 2018, losing to a Messi-inspired Argentina in 2022, and boast the greatest team in the World, with streaks of talent left at home because they can’t take everyone. A side consisting of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate – and how can I forget, current Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele. The team is stacked – it is almost unfair. But they must prepare to deal with Senegal, which, for many, was the best team at the AFCON 2025, Norway – led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, and Iraq.
After a horrible end to the tournament that showcased their talents, being stripped of the trophy for leaving the pitch post-game, Senegal has just focused on raising their game. This is expected to be the legend Sadio Mane’s last World Cup, with the likes of Ismaila Sarr taking on the reigns of Senegal’s lead attacker. Many would expect France to win that game, but the profiles of the Senegalese players, similar to Ivory Coast, who beat France in a friendly last week, can present a lot of problems. Nobody knows how Norway will fend in this level of competition, having not even played at the previous Euro’s. A primed Erling Haaland must have something to say – but it may be too little and too late.
Prediction
France and Senegal qualify
Group J
A group that asks us to consider what if, Argentina, Algeria, Austria and debutant Jordan. The champions of the World were led by Lionel Messi, the greatest player of all time. But now, lacking a key player in Angel Di Maria, and having a generally younger outfit, with some of those players aged considerably – it raises the question of whether they can do it again? Algeria aren’t the force they once were, but a spread of electric players can allow it to shine. Ibrahim Maza will have his first World Cup, Leverkusen’s new starlet likened to their previous in Florian Wirtz, while Riyad Mahrez will have his last – hopefully showing Maza what it means to lead the team. Austria is an interesting team, led by the tactical mastermind Ralf Rangnick. He got them playing out of their skin in the previous competitions, and what we wonder, 4 years on, how the team will fare this World Cup.
Prediction
Argentina and Austria qualify
Group K
Portugal are a fascinating team, and may have the best midifeld in the competition. Vitinha and Joao Neves are a perfect pairing for PSG, and have the dynamic Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United and the Premier League’s player of the year, ahead of them. The attack is thrilling, with a Bernado Silva, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conciecao – and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. There’s been a lot of talk about his selection, but his drive remains the same. If he can help get a few goals, while facilitating the great talents around him, maybe he can leave the game with a World Cup to his name. The group has one other heavy hitter in Colombia, which will be led by the exciting Luis Diaz. It’s not doubt the Bayern Munich man plays his best Football for his nation, but coming off a season he replicated that form at club level – he just might go a step further.
Debutants Uzbekistan are led by Abdukodir Khusanov, a lightning-quick CB with great defensive acumen – but the squad is widely unknown. Like with the other debutants, this World Cup is about getting to know these countries. AFCON watchers do know Congo DR, a surprise entrant to the World Cup that bested Nigeria in a penalty shootout. They have a strong defence, featuring West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Masuaku of Sunderland, Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe – with former Chelsea player Gael Kakuta a veteran of the squad, and two decent strikers in Cedric Bakambu and Yoanne Wissa.
Prediction
Portugal and Colombia qualify
Group L
The final group is another split in half in terms of expectations. England are always someones favourites to win it, reasonably so. Led by Thomas Tuchel, who has opted for a squad reliant on strong runners and intense, fast, wingers, England are expected to go far with this hardworking approach. The absence of dynamic players like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White is questionable – but for the first half of the competition, it should work. Facing an aged Croatia, whose Luka Modric is on his last stand, an intriguing Ghana squad, wielding an at times unstoppable Antoine Semenyo as the Premier League has seen, and Panama, the now two-time World Cup competing team, it would seem England are again favourites to top the group. Yet, post Gareth Southgate’s chemistry building years, we wonder if Tuchel can get the Three Lions over a now 60-year line to bring it home once again.
Prediction
England and Ghana qualify
UK based writer, cutting across Complex UK & Complex MENA.
