For the first time in history, 48 teams will compete for the most significant honor in soccer: the World Cup trophy. The purpose of increasing the number of competing teams is to enhance global representation and maintain competitive balance, as teams from around the world have grown stronger in recent years.
With the increase in participation also comes an increase in the number of teams advancing beyond the group stage. In each group, the top two teams will advance to the round of 32, along with the eight best third-place teams.
An important note is that one team was drawn from each pot to form every group, ensuring that no two teams from the same confederation are drawn together, except in the case of Europe.
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Group A: Mexico
Mexico is currently ranked as the 15th-best team in the world. With all due respect to the Republic of Korea, Mexico had a fairly favorable draw in Group A. Mexico will host the tournament for the third time in 2026. In both prior occasions, they finished sixth and were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
With the format now open to allow more teams to advance to the next round, I expect them to advance alongside Korea, but with a greater motivation to win the group at home.
Group B: Switzerland
Italy’s opportunity to join this group through a play-in was a tough break for the host nation, as Canada’s hopes to advance are a bit more wishful now. Still, Italy’s form, having them in a playoff situation, suggests that they may not dominate as much as they might be expected to.
The Swiss’s performance in EURO 2024 gives me confidence that they are up for the task at hand, and I look forward to the world discovering who Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye are at the conclusion of this tournament.
Group C: Brazil
Even though it has been 24 years since their last title, Brazil’s five World Cup championships have made them the all-time winningest nation in the tournament, and they remain a powerhouse. With players like Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, and Estevão, Brazil is well represented on the world’s biggest clubs, and the future is now. Morocco and Scotland are solid squads, but their valiant fight will be for second place in the group, as Brazil is once again among the favorites.
Group D: United States
Another host with a favorable draw is the United States of America, and one could argue that this is the best chance the American men’s side has of making a real run in the World Cup. At 14th, the United States is the highest-rated of the three North American host nations, and is genuinely a top nation in the world.
Led by Christian Pulisic, it is no longer just him to look out for, and with only five players over the age of 27, this is a team that is just scratching the surface of what they are capable of.
Group E: Germany
As one of two nations with four World Cup Trophies, and one as recently as 2014, the German squad is consistently ranked among the top in the world. While youthful, they are a tactically sound squad that can compete with anybody in this tournament. With four goals in six caps for the German national team, six-foot-six Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade is the leading man to look out for, but this team consists of many big names from big clubs, and should make it out of Group E unscathed.
Group F: Netherlands
Often criminally underrated, the Netherlands has the talent to compete with any team in the world, but they need to prove a bit more consistent than they have been over the last few years to take that leap into the truly elite nations. With experience and class at all three levels, and led by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, the sky is the limit for this team, and they should come out of this group undefeated.
Group G: Belgium
Belgium is a team that often oozes talent but doesn’t produce the results one would expect. With players like Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, and Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, these are just a few of the players that can make an impact game in and game out. I do think that the teams in their group will test their togetherness and force them to play a clean game, but they shouldn’t be any real threat to them winning the group.
Group H: Spain
Given Spain’s immense talent, it is surprising to some that they have only won the World Cup once, in 2010. They come into the 2026 World Cup among the favorites to take home the trophy, and rightfully so. They are loaded at every position, and have depth too. Uruguay will challenge them, and I don’t expect Saudi Arabia or Cape Verde to be much of a threat. Even without multiple championships, they have won their group in four of the last six World Cups, and are expected to do so once again.
Group I: Norway
I believe this is the most challenging group in the field, and I think that, with this, we will see three teams advance from Norway, France, and Senegal. However, who I have winning it may surprise some. Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth are a highly dynamic duo that many teams could struggle to contain, with Haaland alone having scored 16 goals in just eight matches for the country this season. Look for lots of draws, and one defining win for Norway to put them over the top in this group.
Group J: Argentina
The defending champions are looking as strong as ever, and they will have extra motivation as this will likely be the last World Cup for the legendary Lionel Messi. The championship in 2022 was their third, and their first since 1986, but they will want more.
Leo Messi’s World Cup opener will be against Algeria 🇩🇿
Here’s the official World Cup Group for Argentina
Calma, calma pic.twitter.com/3bzpsgoJDk
— M_ (@Goat10M30) December 5, 2025
Argentina will look to be just the third nation ever to win back-to-back World Cups, and the first team to do so in 44 years. Italy did it in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.
Group K: Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be playing in Europe anymore, but his goalscoring prowess is evident still. Portugal is rated as the sixth-best team in the world, and it is a lot more than just Ronaldo that makes them so good. Colombia is the only team that I really see giving them a run for their money, and even then, Portugal is a class above them.
Group L: England
With their historical dominance over Croatia, and the other two nations feeling confident about challenging Croatia for the second spot, teams will try to keep matches low-scoring against England and hope to secure a draw. I feel as if this was a lucky draw for England, and their loaded squad will advance relatively easily to the next round.
