The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams

 

Tournament Setup & What to Know First

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams. That means 12 groups (Groups A–L), each holding 4 teams.

The three host nations — Mexico national football team, Canada national football team and United States men’s national soccer team — were pre-assigned to different groups: Mexico

The draw uses a “pot” and seeding system: Pot 1 teams are top seeds (including the hosts + top-ranked nations), while Pots 2–4 contain the rest, including teams that will qualify via playoffs. 

Because of the 48-team format, more teams advance to the knockout stage: this increases the chances for “underdogs” and reduces the safe predictability that often comes with 32-team tournaments.

With that context, let’s dive into every group (A to L) — who’s there, who’s favored, who’s dark horse — and what to expect.
Group-by-Group Analysis

Group A – Hosts + Balanced Mix

Teams: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Playoff D Winner

Favorite: Mexico — as both a host and a top-seeded nation, they’ll enter with strong expectations.

Challengers: South Korea & South Africa — capable of pulling off results, especially if Mexico underestimates them.

Wildcard Spot: The Playoff D winner (to be determined) — could be a European team, which might shake things up.

What to Watch: Host advantage for Mexico; tight group with potential for surprises if the “footballing underdogs” punch above their weight.
Group B – Open Door for Surprises

Teams: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff A Winner

Favorite: Switzerland — with tradition and experience, they look solid. 

Host Contender: Canada — home crowd support gives them a boost, though pressure is high.

Others: Qatar, and a playoff-winner (European team) — both outsiders, but they could be dangerous if underestimated.

What to Watch: Tight competition for second place; potential for shock results, especially if the playoff team is a lesser-known side hungry to prove themselves.
Group C – Tough Group With Big Names & a Few Dark Horses

Teams: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Heavy Favorite: Brazil — multiple World Cups and elite pedigree make them hard to bet against.

Strong Challenger: Morocco — rising in recent years, with quality and momentum.

Longshots but with Motivation: Scotland — returning to the World Cup and eager to make an impression; Haiti — huge underdog, but anything can happen. 

What to Watch: Brazil vs. Morocco likely decisive; Scotland’s energy and Haiti’s unpredictability could spoil the expectations.
Group D – Hosts + Competitive Middle Pack

Teams: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C Winner

Hosts Favorite: USA — home turf, fans, and backing give them confidence.

Challengers: Paraguay & Australia — both experienced, capable of challenging for a spot.

Wild Card: The Playoff C winner — another European or mixed-confederation entry, could upset balance. 
What to Watch: USA’s opening games; likely a close fight for second spot, especially if the playoff entrant is strong.
Group E – European Giants + Mix of Varied Opponents

Teams: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao

Heavy Favorite: Germany — historic giant, expected to lead the group comfortably.

Challengers: Ecuador & Ivory Coast — both have players with international experience and could push for qualification.

Outsider: Curaçao — underdog, but in football, underdogs sometimes surprise. 

What to Watch: Germany’s focus (don’t overlook weaker teams), potential physicality in matches vs. South American/African sides.
Group F – Balanced Group With Potential Upsets

Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B Winner 
Favorite: Netherlands — traditionally strong and tactically sharp.

Challengers: Japan & Tunisia — both disciplined, team-oriented with potential to challenge.

Wildcard: Playoff B winner — could be European underdogs looking to prove themselves. 

What to Watch: Tactical matchups, defensive organization; likely tight games deciding group order.
Group G – Open but Without Big Heavyweights

Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Favorite: Belgium — highest profile side here; expected to go through. 

Balanced Challengers: Egypt, Iran — both have resilience and can cause trouble.

Dark Horse: New Zealand — underdog status, but nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

What to Watch: Who claims second; matches could be tight, and surprises are likely — especially if Belgium underperform.
Group H – Heavyweights with Underestimated Sides

Teams: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

Favorite: Spain — top talent, consistent record. 

Contender: Uruguay — experienced, battle-hardened.

Wild Cards: Saudi Arabia (not to be underestimated), Cape Verde — maybe dark horses with nothing to lose.

What to Watch: Who emerges as second after Spain; potential surprise results if underdogs find form.
Group I – Among the Toughest Pools

Teams: France, Senegal, Norway, Inter-confederation Playoff 2 Winner

Favorite: France — reigning powerhouse, tactical strength, roster depth.

Strong Opponents: Senegal & Norway — both bring talent, hunger, and could upset if France slips.

Wildcard: Playoff 2 winner — likely underdog, but in this group every match matters.

What to Watch: Intensity — this might be the tournament’s toughest group; surprises likely if underdogs play fearless.
Group J – Possibly the “Group of Death” 
Teams: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Top Favorite: Argentina — defending champions, among the best in the world, expected to dominate group.

Challengers: Austria & Algeria — could make life difficult, especially if Argentina underestimates them.

Underdog Dark Horse: Jordan — outsider, but high motivation and chance to pull off an upset.

What to Watch: Can Argentina avoid complacency? Will challengers seize the opportunity? Group could deliver shocks.
Group K – Balanced Pool with Underappreciated Threats

Teams: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Inter-confederation Playoff 1 Winner

Favorite: Portugal — established global contender. 

Main Rival: Colombia — talented, dynamic, and dangerous especially in attack.

Others: Uzbekistan & Playoff winner — underdogs, maybe less likely to advance, but upset potential exists.

What to Watch: Portugal vs. Colombia — likely decisive. Others may battle hard for third-place shot or upset result.
Group L – European Powers + Wildcard Mixture

Teams: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Favorites: England & Croatia — both strong European outfits, expected to dominate.

Challengers: Ghana — African side with talent, might surprise.

Outsider: Panama — underdog, but with nothing to lose, could play freely. 

What to Watch: Battle for second place; group could be competitive if Ghana or Panama surprises.
Bigger Picture: What These Groups Mean

More Room for Upsets & Underdogs: With 48 teams and 12 groups — plus likely more teams advancing — gaps between “giants” and “lesser-knowns” narrow a bit. Underdogs get real shot at making a mark. 

Potential for Dead-Rubber Matches Reduced: With more teams advancing (even third-place finishers may progress), teams should stay motivated deep into group stage, reducing meaningless final games.

Groups Look More Balanced Overall: It’s not just about “group of death” or “easy group” anymore — many pools have mix of strong, middling, and underdog teams, making outcomes less predictable.

Expect Drama & Surprises: As seen in some of the tougher groups (I, J, C), surprises — from upsets to breakout performances — are more likely than ever.
What to Watch Out For

Groups with heavy favorites (like E, L, K) — likely predictable, but slip-ups by big teams can derail.

Groups with balanced mix (B, G, F) — great potential for surprises and underdog stories.

Groups with high-pressure matchups (C, I, J) — expect gritty matches, possible shocks.

Importance of Momentum: Teams who treat every game seriously — even against “weaker” opponents — could go far.