World Cup 2026 groups, previewed

All 12 groups, the favourites and the dark horses

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed sides, which means even a middling group campaign can be enough to reach the new Round of 32. Here is how all twelve groups shape up.

Group A – Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, play-off winner

Co-hosts Mexico open the tournament and will expect to win a group whose other qualified sides are dangerous but beatable; Son Heung-min's South Korea are the likeliest to push them.

Group B – Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, play-off winner

Co-hosts Canada have grown into a serious side, but Switzerland's tournament pedigree makes this a genuine two-way fight at the top.

Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Brazil are favourites, but Morocco's run to the 2022 semi-finals means there is nothing soft here. Scotland will fancy their chances of a famous result and a third-place finish.

Group D – United States, Paraguay, Australia, play-off winner

The third co-hosts, the USA, have home advantage and a talented young core; Australia's resilience makes them awkward opponents for everyone.

Group E – Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao

Germany should top this comfortably on talent, but Ecuador are well organised and Ivory Coast carry real attacking threat.

Group F – Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, play-off winner

The Netherlands are strong favourites; Japan, fresh from beating Germany and Spain at the last World Cup, are nobody's idea of an easy second seed.

Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium's experience should see them through, with Mohamed Salah's Egypt the most likely to make them work for it.

Group H – Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

The toughest group in the draw: reigning European champions Spain against a stubborn Uruguay, with Saudi Arabia capable of an upset as they showed against Argentina in 2022.

Group I – France, Senegal, Norway, inter-confederation play-off

France are loaded, but Erling Haaland's Norway and a powerful Senegal make this a group of genuine quality from top to bottom.

Group J – Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

The world champions Argentina, with Lionel Messi potentially bowing out, should top a group in which Austria are the main threat.

Group K – Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, inter-confederation play-off

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal against an exciting Colombia is the headline; both should progress, but the order is far from settled.

Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England are favourites to top it, with Croatia the obvious challenger and Ghana the wildcard. Read our full England guide for the detail.