World Cup 2026 Predictions Group Picks, Odds, Favorites and Projections

The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup changed the dynamic of the group stage.

The majority of the World Cup favorites will only have one true test during their first three games across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

On top of the traditional top-two teams to advance from each group, eight third-place teams move on to the 32-team knockout round.

That means that matches that don't exactly look enticing on paper carry a ton of meaning for the bottom feeders in each group.

The expectation is still to see the likes of Spain, France, Brazil, England, Argentina and Germany make runs deep into the knockout round.

Most of those teams will begin a potential World Cup title run with a high point total in group play.

Group C

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Brazil has the potential to add another star above its crest, just like it did in the United States in 1994.

Vinicius Junior is near the top of the list of candidates to be the player of the tournament.

The Selecao revolves around the Real Madrid star, who at 25, is due for a massive World Cup campaign given his stature in the world game.

Brazil has a loaded attack behind Vinicius with Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Endrick and others.

Endrick is a breakout candidate among young players. The 19-year-old had a successful loan spell at Lyon after he struggled to find his footing at Real Madrid.

Brazil is a -330 (bet $330 to win $100) favorite to win Group C at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Carlo Ancelotti's team has a difficult opener against Morocco, but after that, it should cruise against Scotland and Haiti.

A draw might be good enough for Brazil to win Group C because it can overpower Morocco on the goal differential tiebreaker. Morocco has some strong goal-scoring talent, but not in the overabundant quantity that Brazil possesses.

If an opening draw occurs, expect Brazil to really hammer home the goals, which makes it a top candidate to score the most goals at the tournament.

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

Group E

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Group E has the potential to be tricky for Germany.

Ecuador had the best defensive record in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. It allowed five tallies across 18 matches.

Ivory Coast comes into the tournament with a single loss dating back to October and with one of the in-demand young attackers in the world in 19-year-old Yan Diomande.

Germany is -270 to win Group E, so the expectations are there to finish first.

Kai Havertz and Co. just have to take the Ecuador and Ivory Coast games with the utmost respect. They will beat Curacao by multiple goals, but they need at least one more win to top the group.

A sharp group stage is imperative for Germany, because if it wins Group E and one knockout-round contest, it likely faces France in the round of 16.

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

Group Projections

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

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

Group C: 1. Brazil, 2. Morocco, 3. Haiti, 4. Scotland

Group D: 1. USA, 2. Turkiye, 3. Australia, 4. Paraguay

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

Group F: 1. Netherlands, 2. Japan, 3. Sweden, 4. Tunisia

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

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

Group I: 1. France, 2. Senegal, 3. Norway, 4. Iraq

Group J: 1. Argentina, 2. Algeria, 3. Austria, 4. Jordan

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

Group L: 1. England, 2. Croatia, 3. Ghana, 4. Panama