Summary

  • World Cup 2026: Mexico take on South Africa later in the first game of the tournament at 20:00 BST in Mexico City

  • The other game in Group A takes place at 03:00 on Friday between South Korea and Czech Republic in Guadalajara

  • Scotland are in Group C along with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti

  • England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama are in Group L

  • Each of the host nations will put on their own opening ceremony, with Canada and the USA having theirs over the weekend

  • Predict the outcomes for this round's selected fixtures before the first match kicks off with our World Cup predictor

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Live Reporting

Written by Bobbie Jackson, Tasnim Chowdhury, Flora Snelson, Alastair Telfer & Melissa Edwards

  1. Group F

    Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

    Netherlands

    World ranking - 7

    World Cup appearances - 12

    World Cup best performance - runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)

    Japan

    World ranking - 18

    World Cup appearances - 8

    World Cup best performance - round of 16

    Sweden

    World ranking - 38

    World Cup appearances - 13

    World Cup best performance - runners-up (1958)

    Tunisia

    World ranking - 44

    World Cup appearances - 7

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    Tunisia's forward #19 Firas Chaouat (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match between Mali and Tunisia at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on January 3, 2026Getty Images

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    I'm predicting Japan, Norway and Portugal will all have deep runs. Quarters at least for all 3 (assuming they don't meet each other before then).

    Luke

    Japan's defender Yuto Nagatomo (L) takes part in a training session at the Club Monterrey Training Center at El Barrial in Santiago, Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, on June 4, 2026, ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup football tournamentGetty Images

  3. Group E - who are the key players?

    Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

    MusialaGetty Images

    Though not fully fit after returning from a broken leg and dislocated ankle, Germany's Jamal Musiala is among the most exciting young players on the planet.

    Kai Havertz could be key up top for the group favourites, as will recently un-retired goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

    Juninho Bacuna is the main creative force for Curacao, while his brother and captain Leandro Bacuna has nearly 100 Premier League appearances under his belt.

    Bundesliga rookie of the year Yan Diomande will look to fire Ivory Coast into the knockouts, as will Manchester United's Amad Diallo.

    Two-time Champions League winning defender Willian Pacho will organise the Ecuador defence, while Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo offers quality in midfield.

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    I fancy Ecuador as dark horses this year. Second in qualifying and unbeaten since 2024! A solid mix of experience and youth too.

    Gethin, Pembrokeshire

    Ecuador team poses for a photo before a game between the Ecuador and Saudi Arabia in a game prior to the World Cup at Sports Illustrated Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey.Getty Images

  5. Group E - who are the favourites?

    Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

    Germany are the clear favourites to top Group E. As four-time winners, they are among the most succesful teams in World Cup history.

    However, Germany's last victory in a World Cup knockout match was the 2014 final - since then they have suffered group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

    The rest of the group looks open. Ivory Coast arrive having beaten France in their final warm-up match, and have the youngest squad in the tournament.

    Ecuador unexpectedly finished second in South American qualifying after conceding just five goals in 18 games, so will be tough to break down.

    Curacao, the smallest nation in World Cup history, are an unknown. 25 of the 26 players representing the debutants were born outside of the tiny Caribbean island, and play for professional clubs around the world. As such, they should not be underestimated.

    David Raum of Team Germany warms up with team mate Nico Schlotterbeck during a training session at W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North CarolinaGetty Images

  6. Group E

    Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

    Germany

    World ranking - 10

    World Cup appearances - 21

    World Cup best performance - champions (1954, 1974 and 1990 as West Germany, 2014 as Germany)

    Curacao

    World ranking - 82

    World Cup appearances - debut

    World Cup best performance - n/a

    Ivory Coast

    World ranking - 34

    World Cup appearances - 4

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    Ecuador

    World ranking - 23

    World Cup appearances - 5

    World Cup best performance - round of 16

    Ivory Coast's defender #17 Guela Doue celebrates scoring the equalizing goal during the international friendly football match between France and Ivory CoastGetty Images

  7. We're about to meet the first of the debutants at this World Cup.

    And if there's one thing I love about the World Cup, it's the pride of a bunch of players representing their corner of the world on the biggest football stage for the very first time.

    Here are Curacao, celebrating their qualification to the finals in Jamaica in November.

    Curaçao players and fans celebrate World Cup 2026 qualification after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on November 18, 2025.Getty Images

    Now, let's find out what fun awaits them in Group E...

  8. So, that's Duncan and Denley both tipping Paraguay to be a surprise package.

    Who do you think will outperform expectations at this tournament?

    Let us know by clicking 'Get Involved'.

    We want to hear your most baseless and unhinged takes - before Phil McNulty takes over at lunchtime and brings a bit of sense to proceedings.

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    My group winners predictions: A - Mexico B - Switzerland C - Brazil D - Paraguay E - Germany F - Netherlands G - Belgium H - Spain I - France J - Argentina K - Portugal L - England

    Duncan, England

  10. Group D - who are the key players?

    USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

    BalogunGetty Images

    Christian Pulisic is the poster boy of American soccer, and will be looking to overcome a poor 2025-26 season. After finishing the season with 11 goals in 14 games for Monaco, Folarin Balogun could be the reliable striker the US have long lacked.

    Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez could shine for Paraguay with former club team-mate Julio Enciso an injury doubt for the group opener.

    Jordan Bos, Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure bring pace to a young Australia side, while Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler and Juventus man Kenan Yildiz are the difference makers for Turkey.

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    My sweepstake teams are Paraguay and Sweden..... Heavily relying on them being the 2022 Morocco of 2026! Quietly Paraguay have a decent squad!

    Denley, Hereford

    Miguel Almiron of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the international friendly match between Paraguay and Nicaragua at the Defensores del Chaco stadium on June 5, 2026 iGetty Images

  12. Group D - who are the favourites?

    USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

    usmntGetty Images

    Group D is one of the more difficult groups to call.

    As tournament co-hosts and the highest ranked side in the group, the United States will be targeting top spot.

    But results have been inconsistent under Mauricio Pochettino, which could open the door to a high-pressing but tactically flexible Turkey side boasting talents like Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.

    Australia come into this tournament with a young squad full of exciting but untested attacking gems, while Paraguay are the weakest side having nicked the final South American qualifying spot.

  13. Group D

    USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

    United States

    World ranking - 16

    World Cup appearances - 12

    World Cup best performance - third (1930)

    Paraguay

    World ranking - 40

    World Cup appearances - 9

    World Cup best performance - quarter-finals

    Australia

    World ranking - 27

    World Cup appearances - 7

    World Cup best performance - round of 16

    Turkey

    World ranking - 22

    World Cup appearances - 3

    World Cup best performance - third (2002)

    Turkiye poses ateam photo for the media before the International Friendly match between Turkiye and North Macedonia at Fenerbahce Chobani StadiumGetty Images

  14. If you're right, Steven, and Feyenoord's Bos does have Premier League credentials - then there's no better shop window than the World Cup for him to get his agent's phone ringing off the hook.

    Let's see who he's set to face...

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    I fancy Australia to surprise a few people, although it's a shame Martin Boyle was (wrongly in my view) left out of the squad. I expect Aussie left back Jordy Bos to play in the Premier League next season.

    Steven, Middlesbrough

    Jordy Bos of Australia runs with the ball during the AFC Asian Cup Group B match between Australia and India at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Doha, Qatar.Getty Images

  16. Group C - who are the key players?

    Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

    Brazil forward Vinicius Junior helped Ancelotti win his fifth Champions League title in 2024 and has established himself as a star at Real Madrid. The next step is to do it for Brazil on the World Cup stage.

    At the 2022 World Cup, Vinicius was unable to showcase his best form.

    Paris St-Germain star Achraf Hakimi is Morocco's most important player. The flying full-back and captain is the reigning African footballer of the year and one of only three players in this squad to score more than 10 international goals.

    Brahim Diaz is another of those players to reach double figures for Morocco and like Hakimi, he was born in Spain. The Real Madrid forward finished as top scorer at this year's Africa Cup of Nations with five goals but missed a crucial penalty in the final versus Senegal.

    Wilson Isidor scored on his first international start in March. Sunderland's France-born striker switched allegiance to Haiti after being lobbied on social media by fans.

    Scotland's John McGinn led Aston Villa to a first European trophy in 44 years this season. Ten goals and seven assists are the highest number of goal involvements in his club career.

    Scott McTominay's overhead kick in the decisive qualifier against Denmark is now so famous it has made it onto a special edition Scottish banknote.

    Vinicius JuniorGetty Images

  17. So, who are the players that'll be looking to deliver glory again in that iconic yellow shirt?

    And which players in Group C are best placed to try and stop them?

  18. Which nations have most World Cup goals?

    In terms of goals scored by nations at the tournament, Brazil rank top, sitting five goals clear with 237.

    Germany are in second place with 232 World Cup goals, 80 ahead of third-placed Argentina who have netted 152 times in the competition.

    France (136), Italy (128), Spain (108) and England (104) are the only other nations with more than 100 goals.

    Netherlands (96), Uruguay (89) and Hungary (87) complete the top 10 highest goalscoring nations at the tournament.

    Graph showing all time world cup top-scoring nations

  19. Which nation has won the most World Cups?

    In the 96-year history of the men's Fifa World Cup, just eight nations have won the tournament. Of those eight, six have done it multiple times.

    Brazil hold the record for most World Cup wins with five, emerging victorious in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

    Germany and Italy are the next most successful nations with four trophies each. Three of Germany's wins were as West Germany, prior to the national teams of West and East Germany merging after the 1990 World Cup.

    Defending champions Argentina have three World Cups to their name, while France and Uruguay have two tournament wins each.

    England and Spain are the only winners that are one-time champions.

    Graphic showing World Cup wins by nation

  20. You're a long way from Brazil in Eastleigh, George.

    But it's not hard to see why you fancy getting behind the Selecao.

    The most dominant nation in this particular competition across more than one metric.