Who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Brazil, Argentina, France, and England are the leading favorites for the 2026 World Cup based on squad depth, recent form, and historical pedigree. Brazil have won a record 5 World Cups, while Argentina are the defending champions.

Which teams will advance from each World Cup 2026 group?

Based on World Cup history and team strength, favorites to advance include Brazil and Morocco (Group C), France and Senegal (Group I), Argentina and Algeria (Group J), and England and Croatia (Group L). See our full group-by-group predictions below.

What is the World Cup 2026 format?

The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams in 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group advance to a 32-team knockout round. This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, expanded from 32.

When does the 2026 World Cup start?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final is on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

World Cup 2026 Predictions

Who tops each group? Who are the dark horses? Our data-driven predictions for every group at the FIFA World Cup 2026, based on historical World Cup performance across 22 tournaments and 964 matches.

419

Predictions Made

Matches Predicted

104

Total Matches

Tournament Favorites

Brazil enter as the bookmakers' favorites, looking to add a record-extending 6th World Cup title on North American soil. Argentina, the defending champions led by Lionel Messi in what will almost certainly be his final World Cup, are the sentimental pick. France, finalists in 2022, have the squad depth to go all the way again. England, perennial contenders who reached the 2018 semifinal and 2022 quarterfinal, will fancy their chances in a favorable Group L.

The expanded 48-team format introduces more unpredictability. With only the top 2 from each group advancing (no third-place lifeline), even heavyweights need to take the group stage seriously. Dark horses like Morocco (2022 semifinalists), Japan, and South Korea could cause major upsets.

Group-by-Group Predictions

Group A

Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea, Mexico

Mexico 1st

South Korea 2nd

Mexico should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group B

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar, Switzerland

Switzerland 1st

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2nd

Switzerland should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group C

Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Brazil 1st

Scotland 2nd

Brazil should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group D

Turkey, Australia, United States, Paraguay

Paraguay 1st

United States 2nd

This is a tight group. Paraguay and United States are evenly matched.

Group E

Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Germany 1st

Ecuador 2nd

Germany should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group F

Sweden, Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia

Netherlands 1st

Sweden 2nd

Netherlands should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group G

Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium 1st

Iran 2nd

Belgium should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group H

Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain

Spain 1st

Uruguay 2nd

Spain are favorites to top the group, but Uruguay will push them.

Group I

France, Senegal, Norway, Bolivia / Suriname / Iraq

France 1st

Senegal 2nd

France should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place. The FIFA Playoff qualifier could shake things up depending on who comes through.

Group J

Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Argentina 1st

Austria 2nd

Argentina should win this group comfortably. The real battle is for second place.

Group K

Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, New Caledonia / Jamaica / DR Congo

Portugal 1st

Colombia 2nd

Portugal are favorites to top the group, but Colombia will push them. The FIFA Playoff qualifier could shake things up depending on who comes through.