The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to deliver a blockbuster group stage, with heavyweight contenders, emerging challengers and unpredictable dark horses all vying for knockout qualification.

For the first time in World Cup history, 48 nations will fight for the ‘Jules Rimet’ trophy, with betting markets and analysis from Spreadex continuing to shape expectations ahead of the tournament.

Let’s look at the top contenders to win their groups.

Group A – Czech Republic, Mexico, South Africa & South Korea

After reaching the knockout stages in every tournament between 1986 and 2018, 13-time CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico failed to progress beyond the group stage in Russia and Qatar.

Head coach Javier Aguirre cannot afford to take anything for granted here, even though El Tri head into the competition as favourites to finish at the top of the group.

South Africa and South Korea could both throw a spanner in the works, but the Czech Republic may have the best chance of overtaking Mexico, as they return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

Prediction: Mexico (1/1)

Group B – Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar & Switzerland

Canada and Qatar both faltered in the previous World Cup edition, losing all three group-stage fixtures in their maiden appearances at the grandest international stage in the 21st century.

Bosnia & Herzegovina pulled off an epic upset in the UEFA qualifying play-offs, beating four-time world champions Italy to return to the competition finals for the first time since 2014.

However, Switzerland should cruise to the top of Group B and clinch a knockout spot, just as they have done in the last three World Cup editions.

Prediction: Switzerland (9/10)

Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Scotland & Haiti

Despite enduring their worst World Cup qualifying campaign in history, record-time winners Brazil head into the tournament as one of the strongest contenders to lift the crown, let alone reach the knockouts.

The bookies at Spreadex have Brazil as the expected second-top scorers for the tournament at 12 goals scored. Even without all-time top scorer Neymar, the Selecao still stand head and shoulders above the rest of the group, boasting enough quality and depth to comfortably progress into the knockout stage.

It’ll be exciting to see whether Morocco could disrupt the natural order after finishing fourth in Qatar against all expectations.

Prediction: Brazil (2/25)

Group D – Australia, Paraguay, Turkey & United States

Keen to make a standout result in their first World Cup appearance since 2002, Turkey will likely have to fend off the ambitious United States side to finish top of Group D.

Though the USMNT remain the bookies’ favourites to lock down first place (7/5), the star-studded Crescent-Stars look more than capable of defying the odds.

With the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz headlining Vincenzo Montella’s well-knit squad, it’s hard to put it past Turkey to upset the apple cart.

Prediction: Turkey (7/4)

Group E – Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador & Curacao

Heavily linked with the Manchester United job, Julian Nagelsmann has now emerged as a ‘dream’ appointment for Chelsea, who parted ways with Liam Rosenior last week.

It’s hard to imagine Die Mannschaft failing to progress as Group E winners in what could be Nagelsmann’s farewell tournament in charge, as the 38-year-old prepares to return to club management.

Debutants Curacao are no match for the Germans, with the Ivory Coast and Ecuador largely expected to fight for the runner-up spot.

Prediction: Germany (3/10)

Group F – Netherlands, Japan, Sweden & Tunisia

One of the most intriguing groups on paper promises plenty of drama as the former world champions Netherlands look to protect their perfect record of reaching the knockouts in every World Cup appearance.

However, Japan and Sweden will stake a claim for the top spot, with the latter navigating the dreaded UEFA play-offs to return to the tournament for the first time since the 2018 edition.

Meanwhile, Hajime Moriyasu’s men have made it out of the group phase in the last two World Cup instalments, and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they could pip the Dutch to first place.

Prediction: Japan (7/2)

Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran & New Zealand

Whether Iran will compete in the United States-held tournament remains uncertain, but even if they do, they would still face an uphill battle to challenge Belgium, a side heavily fancied to take control of Group G.

De Rode Duivels’ golden generation flopped at major tournaments, but manager Rudi Garcia still has an array of options in attack at his disposal to make Belgium a genuine threat at this tournament.

With all due respect to Egypt and New Zealand, this group still looks heavily weighted in favour of the Belgians.

Prediction: Belgium (7/20)

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

Fresh off lifting their fourth European Championship title, Spain enter the tournament as the top contenders to wrestle back the World Cup crown from Argentina.

However, much of Spain’s eventual success in the tournament would rely on talismanic forward Lamine Yamal, who is facing a race against time to make his inaugural World Cup appearance after suffering a season-ending injury in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

Even if the 18-year-old fails to recover for the group stage, La Furia Roja should steamroll to Group H’s summit, with Uruguay expected to progress from the runner-up spot.

Prediction: Spain (1/5)

Group I – France, Norway, Senegal & Iraq

France could make history in North America by becoming the first nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals despite failing to defend their crown in the Middle East four years ago.

Beaten Africa Cup of Nations finalists Senegal and high-flying Norway are poised to challenge Les Bleus’ credentials in a highly competitive Group I, with Iraq facing long odds to advance to the knockouts.

With Didier Deschamps’ side expected to stroll to the top of the section, Senegal and Norway are likely to fight for the last remaining qualifying spot.

Prediction: France (2/5)

Group J – Argentina, Austria, Algeria & Jordan

Though it’s debatable whether Argentina can become the first nation since Brazil to win back-to-back World Cup titles, La Albiceleste’s knockout qualification should be a foregone conclusion.

A perfect group-stage record in Lionel Messi’s farewell World Cup is not beyond La Albiceleste.

Second place may be the only uncertainty in this group, as Austria and Algeria both vie for a knockout berth, while debutants Jordan need a miracle to make it out of the group stage.

Prediction: Argentina (3/10)

Group K – Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo & Uzbekistan

Looking to win the only trophy missing from his illustrious resume, Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for what is likely to be his final World Cup appearance, with Portugal favoured to win Group K.

The Euro 2016 winners have failed to qualify for the knockout stages just once in six editions in the 21st century, but that’s unlikely to be the case this summer.

Colombia could pose a threat to Portugal’s hopes of reaching the round of 32 as group winners, yet it’s hard to envisage anyone other than the Selecao finishing top of this section.

Prediction: Portugal (2/5)

Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana & Panama

The big question heading into the tournament is whether it will finally be ‘coming home,’ as England aim to shrug off the disappointment of the Euro 2024 final.

Manager Thomas Tuchel guided the Three Lions to a flawless record in the qualifying Group K, winning all eight matches by a statement aggregate score of 22-0.

Despite Croatia’s remarkable results in recent World Cup editions, England look well placed to top the group and progress into the knockout stage as group winners.

Prediction: England (3/10)