2026 World Cup Predictions: Every Group, Every Knockout Game
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first 48-team tournament — bigger, longer and tougher to call than ever. Below are our predictions for every group plus the full knockout path to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026. You can also build your own bracket in our free predictor.
Tournament format at a glance
- Teams: 48 (up from 32)
- Groups: 12 of 4 — top 2 + 8 best thirds advance
- Knockout: 32-team Round of 32, then standard bracket
- Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Hosts: USA, Canada, Mexico
Group stage predictions
Group A
Predicted finish- Mexico
- Croatia
- Norway
- Saudi Arabia
Mexico ride the home crowd in the opener; Croatia's experience edges Norway for second.
Group B
Predicted finish- Argentina
- Senegal
- Egypt
- New Zealand
Argentina cruise. Senegal's African pedigree beats Salah's Egypt to second.
Group C
Predicted finish- France
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Uzbekistan
France dominate. Denmark's set-piece prowess sees them through.
Group D
Predicted finish- England
- Switzerland
- Ivory Coast
- Jordan
England top, Switzerland a reliable second.
Group E
Predicted finish- Spain
- Japan
- Nigeria
- Panama
Spain's midfield is too much. Japan finish second on tactical discipline.
Group F
Predicted finish- Brazil
- Portugal
- Cameroon
- Costa Rica
Group of Death lite — both giants advance, Brazil top on goal difference.
Group G
Predicted finish- Germany
- USA
- South Korea
- Tunisia
Hosts USA push Germany; both progress.
Group H
Predicted finish- Netherlands
- Morocco
- Australia
- Qatar
Morocco upset the Dutch for top spot — repeat of 2022 form.
Group I
Predicted finish- Belgium
- Colombia
- Iran
- Haiti
Colombia James-led; Belgium's golden generation pushed to second.
Group J
Predicted finish- Italy
- Uruguay
- Ghana
- Uzbekistan
Bielsa's Uruguay finish top in a tight group.
Group K
Predicted finish- Portugal-tier upset risk
- Canada
- Algeria
- Iraq
Open group; Canada use home advantage to advance.
Group L
Predicted finish- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Paraguay
- Cape Verde
Turkey's young core peaks; Ukraine sneak through.
Knockout round predictions
Our bracket projection:
- Quarter-finals: Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Morocco, Portugal
- Semi-finals: Spain vs France, Argentina vs England
- Final: Spain 2 – 1 Argentina
- Golden Boot: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Dark horses to watch
Morocco already showed they can beat top European teams in 2022. Uruguay under Bielsa play the most chaotic, high-press football of any contender. USA get an enormous home boost; on paper they shouldn't reach the quarters, but home World Cups historically over-deliver for the host.
Make your own predictions
Disagree with our picks? Create a free account and predict every fixture. You compete on the global leaderboard for real cash prizes — no entry fee, ever.
FAQ
Who is favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?
Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil and England are the consensus favorites. Spain enters as the defending Euro champion and currently has the deepest squad; Argentina is the reigning world champion.
How many teams are at the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams, split into 12 groups of 4. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a 32-team knockout round.
Where is the 2026 World Cup played?
It is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, across 16 cities. The final is in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
Which dark horses could go far?
Morocco (semi-finalist in 2022), Uruguay under Bielsa, Colombia, and host USA are the most credible outsiders.
How can I predict every match myself?
Sign up for the free Predictor26 game and pick scores for every group-stage and knockout fixture. You compete on a global leaderboard for real cash prizes.
When does the tournament start?
June 11, 2026, with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.