World Cup Groups 2026 Odds, Group of Death and Most Exciting Matchups

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage possesses a handful of fascinating contests.

The majority of those games pit what people believe are the top two teams in each group against each other.

For example, the Netherlands-Japan clash in Group F, the England-Croatia contest in Group L and the Canada-Switzerland battle in Group B should determine the respective group winners.

2022 runner-up France was drawn into the Group of Death alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway.

Group I might not be as fierce as previous Groups of Death due to the expanded 48-team format, but it's still a more treacherous set of group-stage contest for Les Bleus compared to most of the other pre-tournament favorites.

The odds for every game and group can be found here on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Group of Death

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Group I earned the Group of Death moniker for the 2026 World Cup.

France, the perennial World Cup power and 2022 runner-up, is the headliner of the group.

Senegal, who made the African Cup of Nations final in 2025, is one of the top teams on its continent.

Norway isn't typically on this stage, but it has to be considered dangerous with Erling Haaland on the field.

Iraq is viewed as the pushover in the group, but it is traditionally one of the best footballing nations in Asia.

France and Senegal open against each other, a game that will set the tone for Group I. A Senegal win, or even a draw, might make France look vulnerable.

Les Bleus are expected to beat Norway and Iraq, but any slip-up in either contest could hurt their knockout-round outlook.

Three points and a positive goal differential should be good enough for the third-place team in any group to be one of the eight third-place teams to reach the knockout round.

There's far less jeopardy than in previous World Cups, where nations had to finish in the top two of the group to advance.

The other three Group I teams should three points as the minimum goal. Four points almost guarantees progress to the round of 32.

Group I will likely place three teams in the knockout round because of the quality across the board.

Most Exciting Matchups

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England vs. Croatia (Group L, June 17)

England's toughest test of Group L play comes against Croatia.

Harry Kane and the Three Lions have sky-high expectations for the 2026 tournament, but so does a Croatia team sending off some of its legends.

This is the last World Cup for Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric and some of the older members of Croatia's squad that reached the final four of the last two World Cups.

Croatia is as battle-tested as they come in the 48-team field. It will provide England with an early litmus test of where it stands.

Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F, June 14)

The Netherlands are one of two European sides in the World Cup title mix looking for a first-ever World Cup. Portugal is the other.

The Dutch open Group F against a Japan side that many think is the best to come out of Asia.

Virgil Van Dijk and Co. need to get off to a strong start to reinforce their status among the favorites.

However, there are questions in attack with Cody Gakpo coming off an average year at Liverpool and Memphis Depay now 32. Donyell Malen is likely the guy to carry the Oranje attack, but if Gakpo and Depay come alive, they could be difficult to beat.

Canada vs. Switzerland (Group B, June 24)

If Canada wants to win Group B, it has to beat Switzerland.

That's not easy considering the Swiss have been one of the most consistent teams in terms of reaching the knockout round in recent World Cup history. The Swiss have three straight advancements and round-of-16 exits.

Granit Xhaka is one of the most experienced players in the entire tournament. Breel Embolo is one of the more underrated goal-scorers in the field.

Switzerland will provide Canada with an immense challenge. A loss to the Swiss isn't anything to hang their heads about, but Canada would love to win Group B, especially if co-hosts Mexico and the United States are in line to achieve the same.