World Cup 2026 - Who will qualify from the group stage?

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest edition of the tournament to date as for the first time there will be 12 groups with 48 countries involved. The top two teams in each group advance to the last 32 whilst the best eight countries of the 12 third placed teams will also qualify for the last 32. Here are my predictions for qualification.

Group A

Czechia, Mexico, South Africa & South Korea

This will be quite a competitive group. I am going with South Korea to top the group with talisman Son Heung-Min shining in his last World Cup. Mexico, one of the hosts to finish second after starting with a win against South Africa on the opening day. I am mindful though that the striker most in-form in the group is Czechia’s Patrick Schick. Schick finished the domestic campaign well with Leverkusen and will help them at least be one of the best 3rd placed countries.

Group B

Switzerland, Bosnia, Canada & Qatar

Switzerland had a stellar qualifying campaign and will go through here as they do it by committee goalscoring-wise. Canada, another of the hosts should emerge in second place, with one to watch in Tajon Buchanan, who had an impressive season with Villarreal. Bosnia scrapped through the play-offs and may not have enough to emerge to the last 32. If they were to it will be because of Ermedin Demirovic and Edin Dezko, however I do not feel they will be good enough defensively.

Group C

Scotland, Brazil, Haiti & Morocco

Though many would have Brazil as their group winners I am going against the grain and having Morocco top the group as I have the east Africans shocking Carlo Ancelotti’s men when they meet on June 13th. Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz will shine again as they did in the controversial AFCON tournament that concluded in January. Then Brazil to come second, with Scotland as one of the best placed teams in third. Scotland’s points will come from beating Haiti.   

Group D

Turkey, Paraguay, USA & Australia

Turkey showed some signs in qualification that they have enough to top this group. This should be the stage for Arda Guler to shine, and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz is another spectacular young talent. USA do have some good players and being spurred on by home support can get second. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will work their socks off in midfield and Christian Pulisic had a good season with AC Milan. Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright give them decent forward options too. Paraguay also have talent in Julio Enciso and if Miguel Almiron can find some form, then I have them qualifying in third.

Group E

Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast & Curacao

This group may end up being tighter than some expected. Germany should still top the group, with Florian Wirtz getting escapism from a tough debut Premier League season and Kai Havertz being a man to show up on the big stage. Then you put Jamal Musiala in the mix and they will cause problems. Ecuador only conceded 5 goals in 18 qualifying matches and as the weather will not be a concern I have them second. Add to that Enner Valencia shines on the big stage and this will be his last World Cup. Ivory Coast to qualify in third, they are still a good team but not maybe what they once were.

Group F

Sweden, Netherlands, Tunisia & Japan

Netherlands lost in a friendly to Algeria last week, but I still expect them to top the group with the firepower they boast. Cody Gakpo does well in major tournaments and I expect him to get goals once again. Sweden have two of the better strikers in the tournament in Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, if Isak is match sharp they can get Graham Potter’s men to second place. Japan despite not having the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and the late omission of Wataru Endo I still expect them to just about qualify in third place.

Group G

Belgium, Egypt, Iran & New Zealand

Belgium to top this group in Kevin De Buyne’s last World Cup as their forwards will get the goals needed. I do not expect much from them later in the competition, however. Egypt to come second in the group. This is more than likely also Mo Salah’s last World Cup so he will want to go out with a bang and Omar Marmoush will cause havoc also. Iran have had a torrid time off the field for this tournament, and I am not sure they or New Zealand will have enough to qualify.

Group H

Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde & Saudi Arabia

European Championship holders Spain have the right blend of possession and quick wing play. Saying that Lamine Yamal may not be fit to start the World Cup, I still believe they will top the group. Nico Williams did well in the Euros and will create panic once again for the opposition. Uruguay have no Luis Suarez although that does not stop me from believing they will finish second. Federico Valverde will sparkle for them. Saudi Arabia to come third but it will probably not be enough to qualify.

Group I

France, Norway, Senegal & Iraq

France looked good against Northern Ireland in the last friendly and will top the group. Kylian Mbappe will be in the golden Boot conversation, and Michael Olise is currently one of the best players in the world. Their of attacking players is one to be greatly feared. Senegal were robbed of being AFCON winners and will be out to prove themselves on the world stage, Sadio Mane will lead them to second place. Erling Haaland will fire Norway to qualification in third place and watch out for Alexander Sorloth also.

Group J

Austria, Argentina, Algeria & Jordan

Argentina to top the group in Lionel Messi’s World Cup ‘last dance’. He will need help which the likes of Enzo Fernandez will provide. Nico Paz is a young talent who will dazzle even if he gets limited time, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez will be amongst the goals. I have Algeria in second led by Riyah Mahrez and Amine Gouiri; the latter bagged a brace in their last friendly against Bolivia. Austria will qualify in third place though they are missing a key figure in Christoph Baumgartner who shone for Leipzig domestically.  

Group K

Portugal, Colombia, D.R. Congo & Uzbekistan

Portugal are dark horses for some, and I believe they will top the group. Cristiano Ronaldo will be out to try and win his first World Cup in his last attempt. With father time rearing its head, it will be his compatriots who surely do the major lifting. Colombia will be fun to watch, and Luis Diaz will continue on from his great season at Bayern Munich as they come second. Luis Suarez should be among the goals for the Colombians as the other two countries miss out on the next phase.

Group L

Croatia, England, Ghana & Panama

England to top this group. I had doubts about some of Thomas Tuchel’s selections, but they played some decent stuff against Costa Rico and will control the tempo in games allowing them to deal with the weather. Croatia are not what they once were but should still claim second place as they will beat Panama before a crunch match with Ghana. Ghana to qualify in third place as a lot will hinge on their game with England that they will probably narrowly lose.

Qualifiers recap

Group A - South Korea, Mexico, Czechia

Group B - Switzerland, Canada

Group C - Morocco, Brazil, Scotland

Group D - Turkey, USA, Paraguay

Group E - Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast

Group F - Netherlands, Sweden, Japan

Group G - Belgium, Egypt

Group H - Spain, Uruguay

Group I - France, Senegal, Norway

Group J - Argentina, Algeria, Austria

Group K - Portugal, Colombia

Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana

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