FIFA World cup 2026 analysis
The greatest stage the beautiful game has to offer
The beautiful game has many tournaments that excite millions around the world, from UEFA’s Champions League to Conmebol’s Copa Libertadores and FIFA’s own Club World Cup; however, the competition that does this the most is the FIFA World Cup. With a total of 5 billion total engagements for its last final in 2022, along with more proof such as the amount of content people make discussing it both before and after (take this article as proof), the FIFA World Cup’s popularity and cultural impact are undeniable. A competition that happens once every 4 years, the previous edition took place in Qatar in 2022, while this time, the competition heads to 3 countries, with Canada, the USA and Mexico cohosting. With an expanded format and many great games to come, if you were looking to be informed about this year’s World Cup, you’re at the right place!
The new format and its first contestants.
In these past tournaments, the World Cup has had the format of a 32 team group stage; each group had 4 teams where the top 2 would advance at the other two’s expense. One game knockout games began at the round of 16 and progressed till the final; everyone knows it, and some of us grew up only knowing it.
However, from this World Cup onwards, the tournament will be structured differently. The tournament’s group stages will remain in groups of 4; however, this time there will be more groups since the amount of teams has expanded from 32 to 48. From each group, the top 2 will automatically progress; however, if you finish 3rd place, there may still be hope for you since the 8 best performing (points wise) 3rd place teams will also be progressing, meaning even if your team is in a group with two powerhouses, get a 3rd place finish and you may still get a place in the knockouts, though it won’t be guaranteed. From there, the knockouts have been expanded, as they now start with a round of 32. It’s still one game, which, if your team wins, they make it to the round of 16, and from there the team would have the opportunity to keep progressing through to the final.
As the group stage is still the first stage of the new format, it is necessary to explore how each group is structured, who the favourites are from each group, etc., so I will quickly summarise every group, starting with:
Group A
Mexico (host)
Czechia
South Africa
South Korea
This is one of the groups where there is no clear favourite; anyone can win this group, though it’s worth mentioning that for much of this stage, Mexico will be having home advantage. Meanwhile, South Africa is back after last qualifying as hosts in 2010; Czechia look to progress after qualifying through UEFA playoffs; meanwhile, South Korea’s team contains star players such as Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae.
Group B
Canada (Hosts)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Switzerland
Qatar
Although Switzerland is, on paper, the best team, the group isn’t totally one sided. Canada had qualified for the last World Cup but failed to get a single win; as hosts, they’ll be aiming to improve their record. Bosnia are on a great run, as they qualified through UEFA playoffs, defeating Italy to get here, and Qatar had a similarly poor showing at the last World Cup as hosts of that tournament, thus although now not hosts, they will also be hoping to correct their record.
Group C
Brazil
Haiti
Morocco
Scotland
This group’s favourites to win are indeed Brazil, though Morocco (which became the first African side to make a semi final in 2022) might cause an upset; Scotland may cause some headaches with stars like McTominay, while Haiti is considered a favourite to finish last; however, they will look to leave a mark, having qualified for the first time since 1974.
Group D
USA (Hosts)
Australia
Paraguay
Türkiye
Another fairly balanced group, the USA will be hoping to make a deep run as they host most games this tournament, with their team containing stars like Pulisic and McKennie. Türkiye, meanwhile, are seen as dark horse contenders with stars like Arda Gouler; meanwhile, Paraguay return for the first time since 2010, and Australia need not be underestimated, as they are one of the best teams in the AFC.
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire
Curacao
Ecuador
Germany
Germany is considered the strong favourite to win this group, with stars such as Kimmich; meanwhile, 2nd place is predicted to be a battle between Ecuador and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), as minnows Curaçao, though making history as the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup, are unfortunately favoured to finish last.
Group F
Japan
Tunisia
Netherlands
Sweden
The Netherlands is considered a favourite here, though not by much, as Japan is probably the biggest dark horse contender. Sweden are generally considered favourites to finish 3rd; however, if they end up as one of the best 8 and qualify, it is still 50/50 due to their poor form as of late. Tunisia will be hoping to take advantage of Sweden’s poor form and potentially cause an upset.
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand
This group’s headlines haven’t been dominated by Belgium, although they are the favourites; instead, headlines have been dominated by Iran and if they’re going to participate in a world cup partly hosted by the USA (considering the ongoing conflict). Meanwhile, New Zealand qualified since the OFC has, for the first time, been given a single automatic qualification spot, and Egypt are probably favourites to finish 2nd.
Group H
Cabo Verde
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Uruguay
Although Spain are one of the favourites to win the whole tournament, their group still contains Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, who are favoured to finish 2nd but can potentially upset their way to 1st. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in 2022’s group stages but didn’t advance; this time around they hope to qualify, probably through being a best 8 3rd placed team, while Cabo Verde are considered minnows; however, they will hope to cause an upset.
Group I
France
Iraq
Norway
Senegal
France is another team amongst the favourites to walk out with the trophy, having arguably the best team in the world on paper, and thus is expected to top this group. 2nd place will probably be a battle between Senegal and a Norway team with players like Erling Haaland; meanwhile, Iraq qualified through continental playoffs, and although they aren’t expected to do well, don’t be surprised if they cause an upset in at least one fixture.
Group J
Algeria
Argentina
Austria
Jordan
Although France broke it last tournament, the champion’s curse is still something Argentina will hope to avoid, as stars like Messi and Emi Martinez are favoured to top this group. As Ragnick’s Austria are favoured to finish 2nd, Algeria 3rd, and Jordan 4th
Group K
Colombia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Portugal
Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup is upon us as he’ll hope to lead Portugal to the trophy, starting with topping this group; however, Colombia may just prevent them from achieving that first spot as they are in good form at the moment. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan, with their star player Abdukodir Khusanov will hope to finish 3rd, but have DR Congo aiming for the same goal.
Group L
Croatia
England
Ghana
Panama
Harry Kane and England are the favourites to finish top of this group (and, in fact, amongst those favoured to win the trophy); however, they face opponents like Croatia, who were finalists in 2018 and finished 3rd in 2022 (though it’s worth noting their best players, such as Luka Modric, are now past their prime; Ghana, whose team contains stars likes Kudus and Partey; and Panama, returning after last qualifying in 2018.
A fan’s testimony.
While yes, I am a fan, I thought it would be a breath of fresh air to hear from someone who isn’t me, hence why I have conducted a short interview with football fan Luka; the Q&A went as follows:
1. What memory or past match do you remember that made you a fan of the World Cup?
“Probably Croatia vs Argentina in 2018. Croatia were not expected to win, let alone score three that day. As a child supporting Croatia, I was extremely overjoyed with this result.”
2. Who would you say are the top 3 favourites to win the World Cup? Briefly describe why each country is a favourite.
Spain – recent Euro winners and a really structured squad, they have no major injuries heading into their first game too, meaning they should go far.
France – the team with the best squad depth; their second team could probably do well on its own, which says a lot.
Argentina still retains much of their 2022 squad; with recent additions and the overhaul of old players, they remain one of the best teams.
3. Which country do you think has the biggest potential to make a dark horse run this tournament, and why them specifically?
“Ecuador could do well; they finished as the second best team in South American qualifiers, looking really solid often. Bosnia and Senegal are also good shouts, as depending on where they finish in the group stage, they could go quite far.”
4. Which individual player do you think is under the most pressure heading into this World Cup, and why him?
“Probably Mbappe. Having not won a major club trophy for two seasons, it is no surprise people are questioning if he can continue to win trophies. Factoring in a PSG less Mbappé side managed to win two Champions Leagues right after his departure, and the strength of the French squad, anything but a win or a high finish could hinder his previous legacy built on consistency when it comes to winning trophies.”
5. Is there a team that you think will underperform according to expectations this World Cup? And why?
“I think, with this expanded format, qualification to the next stage is easier. Still, I do not see Morocco going as far as they did in 2022. They still have the team to repeat this success, but they probably have one of the unluckiest draws if they finish second and other standings don’t go their way. Alongside Morocco, Croatia are under pressure, especially with their recent performance at the Euros. We’ll see if their ageing squad can keep up or if there’s reason for concern for the two time underdogs.”
There are several things that could be pointed out from my interview with Luka, from France’s depth to his concern over Croatia’s ageing squad; either way, his answers reveal many things, teams and individual players, that the fans should pay attention to as the tournament progresses.
In the end…
In conclusion, this World Cup will be unique in many aspects. From the mention of the new format to the expectations several teams are facing, this World Cup promises a lot of moments football fans will forever remember. This is the first time ever a FIFA World Cup is being hosted by more than 2 countries simultaneously, with the Canadians hosting for the first time, the Americans for their second time, and Mexico a record breaking third time, meaning that in many aspects, this tournament will be historic. From the tournament’s foundations to specifics such as Curacao becoming the smallest nation to ever qualify to Cristiano Ronaldo and the fact that this is his last chance at lifting the greatest trophy in football, there’s plenty of reason to be excited! Either way, one thing we cannot doubt is that it is once again “that World Cup time”, as Ishowspeed likes to say, a time where the whole world can agree on one thing: being glued to your TV is more valid than ever.