World Cup 2026 Group A-D guide: What to expect and players to watch

Raul Jimenez, Vinicius Junior, Alphonso Davies and Christian Pulisic (Picture: Getty)

The early exchanges of the World Cup 2026 will be full of local intrigue, with co-hosts Mexico, Canada and USA competing in three of the first four groups.

The opening game will see Group A favourites Mexico play South Africa in what is a reversal of the World Cup curtain-raiser from 2010, which saw Bafana Bafana take on El Tri in Johannesburg.

Canada will be optimistic of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament for the very first time having been drawn in Group B alongside Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

USA will also be quietly confident of progressing from Group D under the guidance of former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, in what could be a transformative summer for the sport in the States.

All the World Cup action

Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here.

Whilst none of the North American trio are likely to be competing in the final on July 19, fans won’t have to wait long to catch a first glimpse of one of the pre-tournament favourites, with Brazil contesting Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.

Group A

(Picture: Metro)

Mexico

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: After a disappointing group stage exit at the 2024 Copa America, Mexico have been slowly building momentum as they hope to reach the quarter-final for the first time since they last hosted in 1986. Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League champions since then, El Tri have lots of pressure on their shoulders.

What to expect: Energy, and lots of it. Manager Javier Aguirre wants his team to be solid and competitive, and will rely on a squad consisting mostly of players from the Mexican league – don’t let that fool you though, they have lots of quality.

One to watch: While Aguirre is usually quite cautious, even he can’t ignore the talented 17-year-old forward Gilberto Mora. He’s been struggling with a groin injury but has the ability to become an overnight star if he can get on the pitch.

Fun fact: Mexico’s kit for the 1978 World Cup was made by American denim giant Levi’s in what was a first (and last) for the company.

South Korea

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: After dropping all the way to 62nd in the Fifa world rankings in late 2017, South Korea steadily improved to the point where they are now back in the top 25 teams in the world. Son Heung-min may be closing in on 34, but he remains the talisman of a side that still relies on his quality even after a move to MLS.

What to expect: It could go badly wrong. Coach Hong Myung-bo was in charge for a disappointing group stage exit in 2014, and was brought back in to replace Jurgen Klinsmann in 2024. Fans have complained about a slow, defensive style and recent results have been poor.

One to watch: Lee Kang-in. The PSG midfielder may be a small fish in a pretty big ocean over in Paris but is South Korea’s creative hub and, at 25, is younger than many of the country’s main players.

Fun fact: The South Korean government withdrew from qualification for the 1966 World Cup because they were afraid of playing, and losing to, North Korea, who were a better team at the time.

South Africa

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Bafana Bafana are back for the first time since hosting in 2010, having finished ahead of giants Nigeria in qualifying, but have struggled since going out to Cameroon in the Afcon round of 16 in January. A draw and defeat to Panama in back to back friendlies doesn’t bode well.

What to expect: They’ll be underdogs in each of their three group games, so expect them to keep things tight in their first two against Mexico and Czechia before a potential winner-takes-all (in this case likely a third place finish) matchup with South Korea on June 25.

One to watch: Burnley’s Lyle Foster is the most recognisable name, but fellow forward Relebohile Mofokeng is absolutely rapid and has become a key player at just 21.

Fun fact: South Africa play with two crests on their kit. One, featuring a protea flower, represents the post-apartheid era, while the other is the official South African football federation crest.

Czechia

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: You could call Czechia a team of heartbreakers after they knocked out both the Republic of Ireland and Denmark on penalties in the final playoffs. In truth, it’s a surprise they made it at all after a loss to the Faroe Islands in qualifying saw West Ham’s Tomas Soucek stripped of the captaincy and their manager was sacked.

What to expect: Agricultural football. New manager Miroslav Koubek is known for an old-fashioned approach to the game, not surprising given he’s 74. There’ll be lots of long balls and deep crosses.

One to watch: Tomáš Chorý will be hard to miss. The 31-year-old striker is 6 ft 6 inches tall and literally embodies the manager’s approach.

Fun fact: Czech football is in the midst of the biggest scandal in its sporting history, as a total of 47 people face charges related to match fixing and bribery across the country’s top leagues.

Group B

(Picture: Metro)

Canada

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has raised expectations for the co-hosts – since taking over in 2024, Canada have jumped to 26th in the world rankings, reached the semi-final the Copa America against Argentina and blooded plenty of talented younger players too.

What to expect: Marsch’s high-pressing, energetic style is sure to pump up the home crowds and could be the difference between them qualifying for the knockout stage or not. South Korea unexpectedly reached the semi-final as hosts in 2002 – a repeat from Canada is unlikely but if they get off to a good start, a quarter-final isn’t outside the realms of possibility.

One to watch: Bayern fullback/winger Alphonso Davies is the star but Juventus forward Jonathan David might be the difference between a gallant group stage exit or not. He’s been in poor form for his club but can score a goal out of nothing.

Fun fact: In 2021 Davies became the first footballer to become an ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, having been born a Liberian refugee in Ghana before moving to Canada at the age of five.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: One of the great underdogs stories of qualification. Bosnia came through two tense penalty shootouts in March, against Wales and Italy, to dramatically qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.

What to expect: No other European team committed more fouls or got more yellow cards than Bosnia in qualifying. They’re a tough-tackling team who will sit deep, but have quality out wide in youngster Esmir Bajraktarević when they do go forward.

Player to watch: How about 40-year-old Edin Dzeko? The former Man City striker is somehow still banging in goals for Schalke in Germany and got six crucial ones in qualifying.

Fun fact: Dzeko is set to become only the second outfield player aged 40 or over to appear at a World Cup. Messrs Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will be the third and fourth, but six goalkeepers have achieved the same feat.

Qatar

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Since becoming the first host nation to fail to win a single point at the World Cup in 2022, Qatar have been on the rise. They became only the second team to retain the Asian Cup and are coming into this summer’s tournament expecting to at the very least compete.

What to expect: Manager Julen Lopetegui (remember him, Wolves and West Ham fans?) has a squad made up almost entirely of players based in Qatar – this is a technical side that will try to keep the ball but can struggle physically against bigger nations.

One to watch: Talismanic creator Akram Afif has been the focal point for Qatar ever since his debut in 2015. Now aged 29 and with 132 caps to his name, Afif and his attacking partner in crime Almoez Ali will want to show the world what they can do after disappointing in 2022.

Fun fact: Qatar were the second Asian team after Japan to be invited to compete in the Copa America, in Brazil in 2019. They finished bottom of the group but nabbed a famous draw against Paraguay in the iconic Maracana stadium.

Switzerland

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Not that much has changed for Switzerland since the 2022 World Cup. They remain as consistent as ever and went unbeaten in qualifying. Manager Murat Yakin has been in place since 2021 while Granit Xhaka is still the side’s beating heart and tactical brain. Xherdan Shaqiri and goalkeeper Yann Sommer have both retired, though.

What to expect: The Swiss have been reliable dark horses for about 15 years at this stage. Tactically and technically excellent, you can count on them to reach the round of 16 or a quarter-final but not go much further.

One to watch: Xhaka remains king but 20-year-old Johan Manzambi has been touted as his long-term replacement in midfield and should start alongside the veteran.

Fun fact: The senior team may have never won a trophy, but one player in the current squad can call themselves a World Champion after winning the U-17 World Cup in 2009 – captain Xhaka.

Group C

(Picture: Metro)

Brazil

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: The five-time winners have only made it past the quarter-finals once since their last win in 2002 and failure to do so here would be the worst run of performances since the very first World Cup. Italian legend Carlo Ancelotti was brought in to break that bad habit, but performances have been stop-start to date.

What to expect: Ancelotti has been one of the most successful managers of all time in part by giving his players freedom to express themselves. On paper, he’s a match made in heaven with Brazil’s sheer quality going forward – think Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Neymar – but an aging defence might be their Achilles heel.

One to watch: Of all their attackers, Chelsea’s Estevao could be the one to have a star tournament. The teenager is still very raw, but should get more space and time on the ball than he does in the Premier League, and he can hurt any defence when he does.

Fun fact: Brazil are the only country in the world to have competed in every single World Cup to date, since the first tournament in 1930.

Morocco

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Where to start? Morocco are official AFCON champions after Senegal were stripped of their title earlier this year. That home tournament in January was supposed to mark the start of an historic year for one of the best teams African football has produced. Instead they have lots of questions left about the team’s mentality, with Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss in the final still stinging.

What to expect: Despite the bad vibes, Morocco are still a top-class side. Their run to the semi-finals in 2022 featured some brilliant football and they have quality and experience across the pitch. It’s hard to see a repeat performance here but if they qualify and get a favourable draw, they are the kind of team that can grow into the tournament.

One to watch: Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi’s performance against Spain in the round of 16 in 2022 was so good we are still thinking about it. While his club career hasn’t quite taken off since then, we’re hoping to see him at his best again this summer.

Fun fact: Coach Mohamed Ouahbi led Morocco’s U-20 side their first-ever U-20 World Cup title in 2025 and was drafted in to lead the senior team after Walid Regragui resigned in the wake of this year’s AFCON final.

Haiti

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Upon qualifying, Haiti became the first Caribbean country to get to two World Cups, 52 years after their previous appearance in 1974. They went home without winning a game back then and arrive at this summer’s tournament representing a country that has been in such civil unrest that coach Sebastien Migne is yet to set foot in Haiti despite being in charge since 2024.

What to expect: It’s hard to see them getting anything from their three group games. The recent additions of Premier League quality in Wolves’ Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sunderland’s Wilson Isiodor give them something extra but even a draw against any of their opponents would be a big upset.

One to watch: Duckens Nazon is Haiti’s all-time top scorer and will need to be on form if they are to land any punches – his preparation for the tournament has been far from ideal as he plays for Iranian side Esteghlal, who haven’t kicked a ball since February due to the war.

Fun fact: In 1974 a famous goal from star forward Emmanuel Sanon against Italy ended the legendary Dino Zoff’s record run of 1143 minutes without conceding a goal in international matches.

Scotland

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: Years of famous losses and near misses have led to this point – Scotland are in the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Steve Clarke has built a solid team since taking over in 2019, with impressive home form the backbone of their qualification this summer.

What to expect: The opening game against Haiti on June 14 will set the tone. Win that with a good performance and it puts Scotland in with a chance of making the knockouts for the first time ever. Draw or lose and it will feel like the whole thing is over before it even gets going.

One to watch: Scott McTominay is the lazy pick here. The midfielder has blossomed since leaving Manchester United for Napoli in Italy, and is the man for a big moment, as his bicycle kick against Denmark proved.

Fun fact: Scotland hold the European record for largest attendance at a football match, when 149,547 squeezed into Hampden Park for a clash with England in 1937. The real number of attendees may be even higher, as many people reportedly snuck into the ground to catch a glimpse of the action.

Group D

(Picture: Metro)

United States

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: The world has changed quite a bit since the USA were announced as hosts in 2018, and it’s no different for a team expecting to bring ‘soccer’ into the American mainstream this summer. Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been in charge for almost two years with succeeding at this tournament his only real task, but performances and results have been mixed to date.

What to expect: Make no mistake – there’s no guarantee that the USA will make it out of this group. Games against Paraguay and Australia will be tight while Turkiye are, on paper at least, better than them all. However, if they get off to a good start and can win over the imagination of Americans writ large, who knows how far they can go. Games will be nervy.

One to watch: Rangers fans will be well aware of Malik Tillman, who is one of the nation’s great hopes this summer aside from Cristian Pulisic. Aside from his loan spell in Scotland, the German-born forward has shone at PSV and now Bayer Leverkusen.

Fun fact: Despite a general lack of interest in football over the past 100 years, the USA actually came third in the very first tournament in 1930. They lost to Argentina in the semi-final and were awarded third place thanks to having a better goal differential than Yugoslavia, the other beaten semi-finalists.

Paraguay

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: La Albirroja finished in the sixth and final South American qualifying spot but were level on points with Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay – proof this is a team worth paying attention to. They haven’t qualified since a golden generation of players reached the quarter-final in 2010.

What to expect: Don’t let the fact Paraguay are one of the more industrial South American sides fool you as they have quality too. An experienced defence provides the platform for counter attacks through their energetic midfield.

One to watch: Julio Enciso is the type of player that can do something out of nothing – his 2023 Premier League goal of the season is testament to that – and could light up this group. His experience at the highest level, also the type of player who can go missing.

Fun fact: Paraguay have already qualified for the 2030 World Cup set to be held across Spain, Portugal and Morocco – the South American side will host one of three centenary games to celebrate 100 years of the World Cup, alongside Uruguay and Argentina.

Australia

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: This is the Socceroos’ sixth World Cup in a row and they qualified in style, losing just once in sixteen games. Coach Tony Popovic played against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup.

What to expect: Captain Jackson Irvine epitomises a side that will be hard-working and aims to stifle the opposition.

One to watch: 22-year-old Norwich striker Mohamed Toure has had an interesting career to date. He moved to France from Adelaide at the age of 16 before moving to Randers in Denmark, but it’s his performances since moving to Carrow Road that catch the eye. Eight goals in nine games says he’ll be dangerous this summer.

Fun fact: The Wallabies still hold the record for the biggest international win of all time, having beaten American Samoa 31-0 in April 2001. They didn’t get close to the biggest club win, however. That came in Madagascar in 2002 when SO l’Emyrne scored 149 own goals in protest during the national championship to lose 149-0.

Turkiye

(Picture: Getty)

Story so far: It’s hard to imagine how a footballing nation as passionate as Turkiye are only gearing up for their third ever World Cup. They came third in 2002 but have a long way to go to reach those heights again, having qualified via victories over Romania and Kosovo in the European playoffs.

What to expect: Turkiye’s quality on paper means they are always hyped up as dark horses in any tournament they enter, and with this group presenting three winnable games, they could build up some momentum ahead of the knockout stages. This being Turkiye, though, they could also lose all three and go home early. It’s all part of the fun.

One to watch: Arda Guler tends to get the headlines but Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz has been linked with every big European club under the sun in recent months. He’s both-footed and has a wicked long shot.

Fun fact: We’re all familiar with Galatasaray, Fenerbache and Besiktas, but Turkiye’s first-ever football club were called Black Stockings FC. Founded in 1899, they only played one game and were disbanded amid fears that the club’s true purpose was to organise a coup against the sultan at the time.

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source