World Cup 2026 group draw — all 12 groups
FIFA’s final draw split the 48 qualifiers into 12 groups of four, with the four pots reflecting the December 2025 world rankings. The hosts — USA (in D), Mexico (A), Canada (B) — were placed at the top of their groups. Below is each group, with our predicted finishing order and the route through to the Round of 32. Top two in every group qualify automatically; the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also progress.
Group A — Mexico (host), South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Mexico open the tournament at the Estadio Azteca against South Africa on 11 June. Czech Republic are the most credible runner-up; South Korea chase a best-third-place finish.
Predicted finish: 1. Mexico 2. Czech Republic 3. South Korea 4. South Africa
Group B — Canada (host), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Switzerland are the technical favourites; Canada have home advantage and a settled side. Bosnia and Herzegovina threaten the runner-up spot, with Qatar the weakest pot-4 team in the group.
Predicted finish: 1. Switzerland 2. Canada 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina 4. Qatar
Group C — Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Brazil are clear favourites. Morocco‘s 2022 semi-final run makes them the strongest second-seed; Scotland‘s first World Cup since 1998 is the story of the group. Haiti are the longest-priced team here.
Predicted finish: 1. Brazil 2. Morocco 3. Scotland 4. Haiti
Group D — United States (host), Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
USA get the strongest host-nation draw of the three hosts. Türkiye are the strongest UEFA opposition; Paraguay and Australia fight for the runner-up spot and a third-place route.
Predicted finish: 1. USA 2. Türkiye 3. Paraguay 4. Australia
Group E — Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany are favourites despite a patchy build-up. Ecuador are the surprise pot-3 pick and have the squad to chase second; Ivory Coast are dangerous in transition. Curaçao‘s first World Cup is a fairytale.
Predicted finish: 1. Germany 2. Ecuador 3. Ivory Coast 4. Curaçao
Group F — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Netherlands are heavy favourites. Japan are everyone’s pick for runner-up — the Samurai Blue beat both Germany and Spain in the last World Cup. Sweden and Tunisia fight for the third-place route.
Predicted finish: 1. Netherlands 2. Japan 3. Sweden 4. Tunisia
Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium are clear favourites. Egypt‘s Mo Salah-led attack is the most dangerous pot-2 in the group; Iran are a well-organised counter-attacking side. New Zealand chase a best-third finish.
Predicted finish: 1. Belgium 2. Egypt 3. Iran 4. New Zealand
Group H — Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Spain have the easiest path of any top-tier nation. Uruguay are the obvious runner-up, with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde battling for third place.
Predicted finish: 1. Spain 2. Uruguay 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Cape Verde
Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
The toughest group on paper. France still expected to top, but Norway — Haaland’s debut World Cup — and Senegal are both genuine knockout-round threats. Iraq are the longest-priced fourth seed.
Predicted finish: 1. France 2. Norway 3. Senegal 4. Iraq
Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Defending champions Argentina are heavy favourites. Austria are the strongest second seed and should reach the knockouts. Algeria and Jordan battle for third-place qualification.
Predicted finish: 1. Argentina 2. Austria 3. Algeria 4. Jordan
Group K — Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
The tightest group at the top. Portugal and Colombia are both legitimate winners — Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup against the James Rodríguez-led Cafeteros. DR Congo are the in-form African side; Uzbekistan are tournament debutants.
Predicted finish: 1. Portugal 2. Colombia 3. DR Congo 4. Uzbekistan
Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England get the easiest top-seed path. Croatia — finalists in 2018, semi-finalists in 2022 — are the obvious runner-up. Ghana chase a third-place route; Panama are the longest priced.
Predicted finish: 1. England 2. Croatia 3. Ghana 4. Panama
How the 2026 group stage works
Twelve groups of four play a single round-robin — three matches per team — between 11 and 27 June 2026. Three points for a win, one for a draw. Top two from each group qualify automatically (24 teams). The next eight spots go to the best-performing third-placed teams across all 12 groups, ranked by points then goal difference. That gives 32 teams in the Round of 32 — a new knockout round that didn’t exist in the 32-team era.
The “best third-placed teams” rule explained
This is the biggest tactical change from previous tournaments. In a 32-team World Cup, only the top two from each group advanced. Now, with 48 teams, finishing third is still good enough to progress — 8 of the 12 third-placed teams go through, ranked first on points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then disciplinary record, then drawing of lots.
The strategic implication: a heavy group-stage loss is no longer fatal. A team that loses its first match but wins its other two with healthy goal differences will almost always make the Round of 32. That’s why the betting markets on “group-stage qualifier” odds are tighter than they were in 2022 — the bar for survival is lower.
Group-by-group betting markets
Every UK bookmaker prices three main markets per group ahead of the tournament:
- Group winner — outright price on the team to finish top. The most-bet group market.
- To qualify (top 2) — pays out if the team finishes first or second. Always shorter odds than “group winner”.
- Both teams to qualify — pair-priced market (e.g. “Spain and Uruguay both to qualify from Group H”). Good for the obvious top-two groups.
The biggest value tends to sit in the runner-up markets in lopsided groups (Group H, J, L) where the favourite is short but the second-seed is overpriced because punters back the favourite by default.
Where to bet on the World Cup group stage
For the full outright market — winner, top scorer and group winners — see our World Cup 2026 betting hub. Our editor’s picks across each market sit on our World Cup 2026 predictions page, and for tournament-specific bookmaker sign-up offers see our World Cup 2026 free bets page where every UK book’s deal is ranked by value and minimum odds. For the outright winner odds, see our World Cup 2026 winner odds guide.
Responsible gambling
The World Cup group stage runs every day for two weeks — that volume of matches concentrates betting decisions into a short window. Set a deposit limit before kick-off and use the self-exclusion tools every UKGC-licensed bookmaker offers via GamStop. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 at BeGambleAware or on 0808 8020 133. 18+. When the fun stops, stop.
