The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and football fans are in for the biggest football party in history. The 48-team tournament will bring more games, more surprises and more betting opportunities.
In this article, we review all the FIFA World Cup 2026 groups, identify the biggest favorites and analyze who could advance from each group.
2026 World Cup format
While in previous FIFA World Cups the top two teams from the group advanced, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup the third-placed teams from the group will also be able to qualify for the play-offs.
All 12 third-placed teams will be ranked among themselves after the group stage, and the top eight of them will be able to continue the tournament in the 1/16 finals.
However, the four unlucky ones will have to pack their bags and fly home, along with the last remaining teams in the group stage.
As a result, all teams in the 2026 World Cup have a little more time to settle in and room for error, but of course no one wants to voluntarily start playing with their own and the fans’ nerves in the last round of the game.
Group A: Who will advance?
- Mexico (15th)
- South Africa (60th)
- South Korea (25th)
- Czech Republic (41st)
Mexico, the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, must be happy with the draw, as they managed to avoid the real big names in Group A. They, along with South Korea, are the main contenders to advance from the group.
The Czech Republic will of course hope to have a say in the same, but they will probably have to hope for a lucky third place. In the case of South Africa, advancing from the group would be a nice surprise.
Group B: Who will advance?
- Canada (30th)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (65th)
- Qatar (55th)
- Switzerland (19th)
Also in Group B there is a clear outsider, namely Qatar, and a favorite, namely Switzerland. So the question is, how will Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina share second and third place?
Although the Bosnians left four-time world champion Italy at the door of the World Cup, they did so thanks to a last-minute goal and a penalty shootout. In short, not at all believable, which is why it would be better to bet on Canada, who already four years ago showed arguably the most beautiful game at the World Cup.
Group C: Who will advance?
- Brazil (6th)
- Morocco (8th)
- Haiti (83rd)
- Scotland (43rd)
Scotland, who last played at the World Cup in 1998, can be very lucky to have weak Haiti in Group C because it gives them the opportunity to slip into the play-off as third. However, the two big ones in the group are clearly Morocco and Brazil, who should advance from here without any worries.
Group D: Who will advance?
- USA (16th)
- Paraguay (40th)
- Australia (27th)
- Turkey (22nd)
Group D is the first group without a clear favorite. According to the FIFA ranking it should be USA (16th), but ahead of the tournament, experts are more inclined to favor Turkey, who have qualified for the World Cup after a 24-year hiatus.
Similarly, there is more or less consensus that Australia will finish last in the group, but since Socceroo’s are capable of surprising others, it is crucial for the USA and Paraguay to finish second in the group. In what may seem like a coin toss, the Americans’ home crowd advantage could be decisive.
Group E: Who will advance?
- Germany (10th)
- Curaçao (82nd)
- Ivory Coast (34th)
- Ecuador (23rd)
Even the most ignorant football fan probably knows that the big favorite in Group E is Germany. They are not four-time world champions for nothing.
Ecuador and Ivory Coast are fighting for second place in the group, but since the latter no longer have superstars like Didier Drogba, the Africans will have to hope for third place.
Group F: Who will advance?
- Netherlands (7th)
- Japan (18th)
- Sweden (38th)
- Tunisia (44th)
Group F is another evenly matched group, but here too there are certain strengths. The Netherlands are seen as the top seed in the group and Tunisia as the last.
Japan and Sweden are both strong contenders for advancement, and it will probably be whoever can avoid a point loss against Tunisia that will decide the outcome. Considering how weak the Swedes were in the qualifying round, experts favor Japan.
Group G: Who will advance?
- Belgium (9th)
- Egypt (29th)
- Iran (21st)
- New Zealand (85th)
For Belgium, Group G is an exceptionally easy task, but Egypt, Iran and New Zealand are also aiming to advance.
Whose yard will the sun shine on from the aforementioned trio? Since the Egyptians are being led by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, they are the ones who are being backed the most.
Group H: Who will advance?
- Spain (2nd)
- Cape Verde (69th)
- Saudi Arabia (61st)
- Uruguay (17th)
If Spain and Uruguay do not qualify as the top two teams from Group H, unrest would probably break out in both countries. The former world champions are simply so much stronger than the other two in the group – Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia – that there can be no other option here.
Group I: Who will advance?
- France (1st)
- Senegal (14th)
- Iraq (57th)
- Norway (31st)
At the 2002 World Cup, Senegal pulled off a surprise by beating France in their opening game and leaving the reigning world champions in the group stage. A similar outcome seems highly unlikely for the 2026 World Cup.
France and Norway are clearly the two favourites in Group I and Senegal will have to hope that beating Iraq will be enough to advance in third place.
Group J: Who will advance?
- Argentina (3rd)
- Algeria (28th)
- Austria (24th)
- Jordan (63rd)
Reigning world champions Argentina will not have to struggle much in Group J – advancing from this group is an easy task and the real title defense for them will be in the play-off.
Austria is the most likely to claim the second qualifying spot and Algeria is the third. Debutant Jordan will be happy to participate in the World Cup.
Group K: Who will advance?
- Portugal (5th)
- DR Congo (46th)
- Uzbekistan (50th)
- Colombia (13th)
The DR Congo, who are participating in the World Cup for the third time, and debutant Uzbekistan can be lucky in some ways, because both have a chance of winning, having ended up in the same group.
However, they should not dream of advancing from Group K because Portugal and Colombia are simply another level.
Group L: Who will advance?
- England (4th)
- Croatia (11th)
- Ghana (74th)
- Panama (33rd)
Although Ghana are better than their FIFA rankings would suggest, neither they nor Panama are a match for the big two in the group. England and Croatia will advance from Group L with ease.
2026 World Cup – favorites
The real football party will of course only start with the play-offs, where even the smallest mistake can be fatal for even the big favorite. But who are the ones who are considered favorites before the tournament?
Based on the odds of the bookmakers, the main favorites for the tournament are former world champions Spain, France, England and Brazil. The first “new” country to be found among the favorites is Portugal.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Betting Markets: Tournament Winner
- Spain – Odds 5.50
- France – Odds 6.00
- England – Odds 7.00
- Brazil – Odds 9.00
- Portugal – Odds 10.00
- Argentina – Odds 10.00
- Germany – Odds 15.00
- Netherlands – Odds 21.00
All odds listed are as of 05.06.2026 @12.30 and are subject to change
2026 World Cup – How to Bet Responsibly
- Don’t make your bets based on emotions
- Keep track of your account balance
- Don’t try to make up for losses with subsequent bets
- Start with analysis and remember that every game is different
- The most important thing is still football, so enjoy the tournament
- Use our sports betting app to manage your bets wisely.
The 2026 World Cup is the best opportunity to experience all aspects of sports betting – lots of games, crazy markets, lots of excitement and a ton of moments to talk about.
A well-thought-out strategy, proper analysis and a responsible approach will make all games an experience to enjoy.
In addition, keep an eye on the OlyBet sports betting section, where we bring 2026. special offers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which you shouldn’t miss.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams will advance from the group stage?
The top two teams in each group will advance directly, plus the 8 best third-place teams.
Who are the biggest favorites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
According to bookmakers, the favorites include Spain, France, England and Brazil.
When will the 2026 FIFA World Cup final take place?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
