World Cup 2026 Match Predictions for All Group Fixtures

The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday afternoon with the first group play contests as teams from around the globe look to set the tone for their pursuit of the most prestigious prize in soccer.

Who plays when, which teams should emerge victoriously from each match, and which team figures to win each of the 12 groups?

Find out in this preview.

Group A

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Thursday, June 11

Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City, Mexico), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Mexico)

South Korea vs. Czechia (Zapopan, Mexico), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: South Korea)

Thursday, June 18

Czechia vs. South Africa (Atlanta, Georgia), 12:00 p.m. (Prediction: South Africa)

Mexico vs. South Korea (Zapopan, Mexico) 11:00 p.m. (Prediction: Mexico)

Wednesday, June 24

Czechia vs. Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: Mexico)

South Africa vs. South Korea (Guadalupe, Mexico), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: South Korea)

Group Prediction: 1. Mexico, 2. South Korea, 3. South Africa, 4. Czechia

Mexico is an experienced group and should be considered the favorite to win the group.

Raul Jimenez has the third-most goals in team history with 44 and is the resilient leader of the squad. Coupled with Edson Alvarez and Erik Lira, the team has a potent 4-3-3 offense that can be adapted to the opposition. Defensively, they are better than their last appearance at the World Cup in 2022, with attacking defenders and a leader in Cesar Montes.

South Korea will be the team's greatest obstacle, thanks in large part to the play of star Son Heung-min. The Premier League Golden Boot winner is a burgeoning superstar and the sort of generational star who can be the centerpiece of the country's international game for years to come.

Group B

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Friday, June 12

Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Toronto, Ontario), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Canada)

Saturday, June 13

Qatar vs. Switzerland (Santa Clara, California), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Switzerland)

Thursday, June 18

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Inglewood, California), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Switzerland)

Canada vs. Qatar (Vancouver, British Columbia), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Canada)

Wednesday, June 24

Switzerland vs. Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Switzerland)

Qatar vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Seattle, Washington), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Prediction: 1. Switzerland, 2. Canada, 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4. Qatar

Switzerland has never advanced past the quarterfinals in World Cup play, but they should kick this year's World Cup off on the right foot, with a win in Group B.

Led by star Granit Xhaka, the Swiss blew through qualifying. The 33-year-old captain is as good now as he has ever been, a complete player who excels offensively and defensively. He leads a team that perfectly balances experience and youthful energy, with a Breel Embolo standing out as the star of the future.

The team has struggled in major international tournaments, inching closer to a win but inevitably falling short. They may not win the whole thing, but expect this Swiss team to be a headache for any opposing team.

Group C

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Saturday, June 13

Brazil vs. Morocco (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Brazil)

Haiti vs. Scotland (Foxborough, Massachusetts), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: Scotland)

Friday, June 19

Scotland vs. Morocco (Foxborough, Massachusetts), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Morocco)

Brazil vs. Haiti (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: Brazil)

Wednesday, June 24

Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami Gardens, Florida), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Brazil)

Morocco vs. Haiti (Atlanta, Georgia), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Morocco)

Prediction: 1. Brazil, 2. Morocco, 3. Scotland, 4. Haiti

This is not the same Brazil squad that entered the 2022 World Cup, where they were the highest ranked, but suffered a stunning elimination in the quarterfinal round.

The team limped into this year's tournament, losing to Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and has struggled to strike a balance between the offense and defense.

Add a calf injury suffered by icon Neymar Jr. and you have a disastrous start to the country's pursuit of soccer's most prestigious team prize.

Even with that, a group win should see them advance. Whether they play much deeper into the field remains to be seen.

Group D

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Friday, June 12

United States vs. Paraguay (Inglewood, California), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: USA)

Saturday, June 13

Australia vs. Turkey (Vancouver, British Columbia), 12:00 a.m. (Prediction: Turkey)

Friday, June 19

United States vs. Australia (Seattle, Washington), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: USA)

Turkey vs. Paraguay (Santa Clara, California), 12:00 a.m. (Prediction: Turkey)

Thursday, June 25

Turkey vs. United States (Inglewood, California), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: DRAW)

Australia vs. Paraguay (Santa Clara, California), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Paraguay)

Prediction: 1. USA, 2. Turkey, 3. Paraguay, 4. Australia

It is no given that the co-host country, USA, wins Group D.

The team is vulnerable in transition, oftentimes leaving the defensive side of the ball susceptible to one-on-one match-ups. When you factor in the team's scoring struggles, including a 21-game scoreless stretch, there is plenty to be concerned about with this American squad.

They have an elite coach in Mauricio Pochettino, though, and should benefit from fan fervor.

Turkey is a skilled team and more than capable of upsetting the Americans, though, to win the group.

Group E

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Sunday, June 14

Germany vs. Curacao (Houston, Texas), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Germany)

Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 7:00 p.m. (Prediction: Ecuador)

Saturday, June 20

Germany vs. Ivory Coast (Toronto, Ontario), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: Germany)

Curacao vs. Ecuador (Kansas City, Missouri), 8:00 p.m. (Prediction: Ecuador)

Thursday, June 25

Ecuador vs. Germany (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: Germany)

Curacao vs. Ivory Coast (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: Ivory Coast)

Prediction: 1. Germany, 2. Ecuador, 3. Ivory Coast, 4. Curacao

Germany has suffered two group exits in a row at the World Cup and inconsistency in international play since has some wondering if the country's dominance on the pitch is a thing of the past.

They should be the favorite to win their group and advance, but tough competition from Ecuador and its extraordinary defense, as well as a sneaky solid Ivory Coast team, could prove to be tougher tests than expected.

Hardly a given, if the opposition can exploit the lackluster German midfield, an upset is possible. For now, Germany's roster is stronger its group mates and should be enough to propel them forward.

Group F

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Sunday, June 14

Netherlands vs. Japan (Arlington, Texas), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: Netherlands)

Sweden vs. Tunisia (Guadalupe, Mexico), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Sweden)

Saturday, June 20

Netherlands vs. Sweden (Houston, Texas), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Netherlands)

Tunisia vs. Japan (Guadalupe, Mexico), 12:00 a.m. (Prediction: Japan)

Thursday, June 25

Japan vs. Sweden (Arlington, Texas), 7:00 p.m. (Prediction: Japan)

Tunisia vs. Netherlands (Kansas City, Missouri), 7:00 p.m. (Prediction: Netherlands)

Prediction: 1. Netherlands, 2. Japan, 3. Sweden, 4. Tunisia

The Dutch have the most talented roster in the group and a defense that has set up the midfield nicely of late. Add to that a hunger to win a World Cup, and stars like Virgil van Dijk and Donyell Malen providing leadership and scoring, and you have a team that can be a disruptive force, but probably not win the entire tournament.

The team has not looked nearly as sharp as one would hope for from a contender, and the lack of attack up the middle is problematic.

Still, Japan is their toughest competition and has struggled to score consistently of late, opening up the opportunity for the Netherlands to win the group.

Group G

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Monday, June 15

Belgium vs. Egypt (Seattle, Washington), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Belgium)

Iran vs. New Zealand (Inglewood, California), 12:00 a.m. (Prediction: Iran)

Sunday, June 21

Belgium vs. Iran (Inglewood, California), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Belgium)

New Zealand vs. Egypt (Vancouver, British Columbia), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: Egypt)

Friday, June 26

Egypt vs. Iran (Seattle, Washington), 11:00 p.m. (Prediction: Egypt)

New Zealand vs. Belgium (Vancouver, British Columbia), 11:00 p.m. (Prediction: Belgium)

Prediction: 1. Belgium, 2. Egypt, 3. Iran, 4. New Zealand

A team of grizzled veterans who have not found the success on the world's stage that they expected has one last opportunity to make a splash in this year's World Cup.

With a strong front line, the team will be a threat to push the ball downfield and score. That is their best shot at a deep run, especially with a defense that has leaked like a sieve.

Kevin de Bruyne is still the team's best player, and the country has a strong enough roster to emerge from this group, but the team desperately needs a youth movement sooner rather than later.

Group H

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Monday, June 15

Spain vs. Cape Verde (Atlanta, Georgia), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Spain)

Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (Miami Gardens, Florida), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Uruguay)

Sunday, June 21

Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Atlanta, Georgia), 12:00 p.m. (Prediction: Spain)

Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (Miami Gardens, Florida), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Uruguay)

Friday, June 26

Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (Houston, Texas), 8:00 p.m. (Prediction: Saudi Arabia)

Uruguay vs. Spain (Zapopan, Mexico), 8:00 p.m. (Prediction: Spain)

Prediction: 1. Spain, 2. Uruguay, 3. Saudi Arabia, 4. Cape Verde

Lamine Yamal is a genuine star and the face of Spanish soccer's future.

Should he be able to shake off a hamstring injury, he and fellow winger Nico Williams form one of the most exciting tandems in this year's field.

Even if the pair is not at full strength, La Rosa should be strong enough to advance past the group stage and form a legitimate threat to win this year's World Cup.

Group I

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Tuesday, June 16

France vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: France)

Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough, Massachusetts), 6:00 p.m. (Prediction: Norway)

Monday, June 22

France vs. Iraq (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 5:00 p.m. (Prediction: France)

Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 8:00 p.m. (Prediction: Norway)

Friday, June 26

Norway vs. France (Foxborough, Massachusetts), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: France)

Senegal vs. Iraq (Toronto, Ontario), 3:00 p.m. (Prediction: Iraq)

Prediction: 1. France, 2. Norway, 3. Iraq, 4. Senegal

France is a front-runner for the World Cup, thanks in large part to an attacking offense that is among the best, most electric, and valuable in the world.

Kylian Mbappe is a superstar and will be the centerpiece of a squad looking to play in the World Cup final for the fifth time in eight years.

As long as they can avoid aimless offense or overconfidence early on, there is no reason to believe the country cannot achieve both.

Group J

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Tuesday, June 16

Argentina vs. Algeria (Kansas City, Missouri), 9:00 p.m. (Prediction: Argentina)

Austria vs. Jordan (Santa Clara, California), 12:00 a.m. (Prediction: Austria)

Monday, June 22

Argentina vs. Austria (Arlington, Texas), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Argentina)

Jordan vs. Algeria (Santa Clara, California), 11:00 p.m. (Prediction: Algeria)

Saturday, June 27

Algeria vs. Austria (Kansas City, Missouri), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Austria)

Jordan vs Argentina (Arlington, Texas), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Argentina)

Prediction: 1. Argentina, 2. Austria, 3. Algeria, 4. Jordan

Argentina is a dominant squad that has the firepower to score with any team in this World Cup field.

Lionel Messi is an icon and one of the best to ever set foot on a pitch, but he is on the backside of his career. No matter, though, as his team has plenty of stars beyond him to keep the goals coming, including potent scorer Julian Alvarez.

The defense is a bit shaky, and could prove the difference between a World Cup win and a disappointing elimination, but the team has the tools to hang around deep into the tournament.

Group K

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Wednesday, June 17

Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo (Houston, Texas), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Portugal)

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (Mexico City, Mexico), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Colombia)

Tuesday, June 23

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (Houston, Texas), 1:00 p.m. (Prediction: Portugal)

Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of Congo (Zapopan, Mexico), 10:00 p.m. (Prediction: Colombia)

Saturday, June 27

Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami Gardens, Florida), 7:30 p.m. (Prediction: Portugal)

Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Uzbekistan (Atlanta, Georgia), 7:30 p.m. (Prediction: Congo DR)

Prediction: 1. Portugal, 2. Colombia, 3. Congo DR, 4. Uzbekistan

Led by Christiano Rinaldo, the Portuguese team is one of the elite squads in this year's tournament and has legitimate World Cup aspirations.

A deep roster, quality on both sides of the ball, and an abundance of offensive creativity make them a team that will be very difficult to gameplan for and defeat.

They are not quite as physical as other teams in the field, but it is difficult to imagine a team in this group scoring a victory over them.

Group L

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Wednesday, June 17

England vs. Croatia (Arlington, Texas), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: DRAW)

Ghana vs. Panama (Toronto, Ontario), 7:00 p.m. (Prediction: Ghana)

Tuesday, June 23

England vs. Ghana (Foxborough, Massachusetts), 4:00 p.m. (Prediction: England)

Panama vs. Croatia (Toronto, Ontario), 7:00 p.m. (Prediction: Croatia)

Saturday, June 27

Panama vs. England (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 5:00 p.m. (Prediction: England)

Croatia vs. Ghana (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 5:00 p.m. (Prediction: Croatia)

Prediction: 1. England, 2. Croatia, 3. Ghana, 4. Panama

Harry Kane is playing as well as he ever has and the English team is a skilled, veteran group with potential to play deep into this year's World Cup competition.

Defender John Stones is riding a wave of momentum entering the tournament.

The team's balance, leadership, and experience will advance them out of the group stage and put them in a position to make a legitimate push toward their first World Cup since 1966.