The most important sporting occasion on the planet is about to take centre stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday as the discipline of 48 nations — together with co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States — will mix to play in 104 matches throughout 16 cities, all with an eye fixed in direction of advancing to the ultimate on July 19 in New York.
Earlier than the month-long soccer competition begins, Sportsnet ranks all 48 groups.
1. SPAIN
FIFA world rating: No. 2
Group H opponents: Cape Verde (June 15), Saudia Arabia (June 21), Uruguay (June 26)
The reigning European champions have suffered only one loss (in a penalty shootout) of their final 29 matches courting again to early 2024. Even with damage issues over Lamine Yamal, La Roja have the type of depth and high quality that’s the envy of the different 47 groups at the World Cup.
2. FRANCE
FIFA world rating: No. 3
Group I opponents: Senegal (June 16), Iraq (June 22), Norway (June 26)
So wealthy are Les Bleus’ attacking choices that supervisor Didier Deschamp must maintain not less than considered one of Need Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise or Rayan Cherki out of his beginning 11.
3. ENGLAND
FIFA world rating: No. 4
Group L opponents: Croatia (June 17), Ghana (June 23), Panama (June 27)
That German supervisor Thomas Tuchel left Phil Foden and Cole Palmer off his squad speaks to the Three Lions’ depth. Prime scorer Harry Kane is coming off a sensational season with Bayern Munich.
4. ARGENTINA
FIFA world rating: No. 1
Group J opponents: Algeria (June 16), Austria (June 22), Jordan (June 27)
It’s Lionel Messi’s final stand which implies La Albiceleste have loads of motivation to develop into the first nation to repeat as World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Midfielder Nico Paz may very well be the breakout participant of the match.
5. PORTUGAL
FIFA world rating: No. 5
Group Okay opponents: Congo DR (June 17), Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia (June 27)
At age 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will likely be enjoying in his sixth World Cup. However a talent-rich staff that features Bruno Fernandes, João Félix and Vitinha means Portugal doesn’t closely depend on Ronaldo anymore.
6. GERMANY
FIFA world rating: No. 10
Group E opponents: Curaçao (June 14), Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador (June 25)
Centre-forward is an space of concern, however supervisor Julian Nagelsmann has an array of attacking expertise from which to decide on. There are additionally a great deal of expertise on this staff, together with prime goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
7. BRAZIL
FIFA world rating: No. 6
Group C opponents: Morocco (June 13), Haiti (June 19), Scotland (June 24)
Don’t let the sideshow over the inclusion of Neymar to the roster idiot you. Supervisor Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect seems very sturdy and the truth they are not thought-about amongst the prime favourites may work of their favour and provides them further motivation.
8. NETHERLANDS
FIFA world rating: No. 8
Group F opponents: Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20), Tunisia (June 25)
The lack of Tottenham winger Xavi Simons (ruptured ACL) is a little bit of a blow, however the Dutch have greater than sufficient top-tier gamers to make up for his absence. They’ve barely put a foot mistaken since their loss in the semifinals of Euro 2024.
9. CROATIA
FIFA world rating: No. 11
Group L opponents: England (June 17), Panama (June 23), Ghana (June 27)
It’s a staff filled with skilled campaigners, highlighted by Luka Modric and Josko Gvardiol. However there are additionally various very promising children, together with winger Martin Baturina.
10. COLOMBIA
FIFA world rating: No. 13
Group Okay opponents: Uzbekistan (June 17), Congo DR (June 23), Portugal (June 27)
Might Colombia develop into the first new nation to win the World Cup since Spain in 2010? It’s very potential. The 2024 Copa América finalists boast Bayern Munich ahead Luis Diaz, who may rank amongst the prime purpose scorers in the World Cup.
11. NORWAY
FIFA world rating: No. 31
Group I opponents: Iraq (June 16), Senegal (June 22), France (June 26)
Norway needs to be thought-about considered one of the match’s prime darkish horses after a formidable qualifying marketing campaign that noticed them beat out Italy for prime spot of their group. Manchester Metropolis’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard are world-class attackers.
12. SENEGAL
FIFA world rating: No. 15
Group I opponents: France (June 16), Norway (June 22), Iraq (June 26)
Most likely Africa’s finest hope thanks largely to a squad highlighted by veteran ahead Sadio Mane, and Premier League gamers Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr and Ismaila Sarr. Opponents will wrestle to interrupt down their defence.
13. ECUADOR
FIFA world rating: No. 24
Group E opponents: Ivory Coast (June 14), Curaçao (June 20), Germany (June 25)
Solely conceded 5 targets in eight video games throughout the South American qualifiers to complete in second behind Argentina and forward of Colombia and Brazil.
14. BELGIUM
FIFA world rating: No. 9
Group G opponents: Egypt (June 15), Iran (June 21), New Zealand (June 26)
They’ve a simple group so advancing to the spherical of 32 received’t be a problem. A roster that options veterans (together with Kevin De Bruyne) and children (led by Jérémy Doku) may very well be poised to make a run this summer time
15. MEXICO
FIFA world rating: No. 14
Group A opponents: South Africa (June 11), South Korea (June 18), Czechia (June 24)
El Tri impressed when it beforehand hosted the World Cup — quarter-final runs in 1970 and 1986. In the event that they win their group, they’d keep in Mexico for the first two rounds of the knockout stage, which might be an enormous benefit.
16. SWITZERLAND
FIFA world rating: No. 19
Group B opponents: Qatar (June 13), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 18), Canada (June 24)
A stable staff that will likely be competing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and has suffered only one loss in its final 14 video games since the begin of 2025, with spectacular wins over the United States and Mexico coming in that run.
17. MOROCCO
FIFA world rating: No. 7
Group C opponents: Brazil (June 13), Scotland (June 19), Haiti (June 24)
Everyone will likely be prepared for them this time round after they over-achieved by reaching the semifinals 4 years in the past in Qatar. Mohamed Ouahbi was employed as supervisor in March, so he’ll solely have a couple of video games below his belt by the begin of the match.
18. URUGUAY
FIFA world rating: No. 16
Group H opponents: Saudia Arabia (June 15), Cape Verde (June 21), Spain (June 26)
It’ll be fascinating to see how they navigate a serious match for the first time in a very long time with out veteran striker Luis Suarez who retired from the nationwide staff in the aftermath of La Celeste’s third-place exhibiting at the 2024 Copa América.
19. JAPAN
FIFA world rating: No. 18
Group F opponents: Netherlands (June 14), Tunisia (June 20), Sweden (June 25)
Japan will miss injured Premier League attacker Kaoru Mitoma, however general, they’ve a deep staff that ought to permit them to go on a run this summer time.
20. CANADA
FIFA world rating: No. 30
Group B opponents: Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 12), Qatar (June 18), Switzerland (June 24)
They’ve the benefit of enjoying at house and ought to get out of the group. However huge questions loom about the staff’s slew of accidents, particularly to captain Alphonso Davies, the staff’s lack of ending up entrance, and the scoring slumps by prime forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.
21. EGYPT
FIFA world rating: No. 29
Group G opponents: Belgium (June 15), New Zealand (June 21), Iran (June 26)
Mohamed Salah has a stronger staff round him in comparison with 2018 when his nation final certified for the World Cup. A comparatively straightforward group means they need to advance to the knockout spherical.
22. UNITED STATES
FIFA world rating: No. 17
Group D opponents: Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19), Turkey (June 25)
Dwelling benefit will likely be large for the People, however outcomes have been combined (and that’s placing it kindly) since Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as supervisor in 2024.
23. AUSTRIA
FIFA world rating: No. 23
Group J opponents: Jordan (June 16), Argentina (June 22), Algeria (June 27)
Again at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Austria is powered by a stable midfield that options Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer and has loads of different skilled veterans who play for prime golf equipment in the German Bundesliga.
24. TURKEY
FIFA world rating: No. 22
Group D opponents: Australia (June 13), Paraguay (June 19), USA (June 25)
Supervisor Vincenzo Montella isn’t missing creativity with Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz in the staff. However who will present the targets?
LONG SHOTS OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP
25. SWEDEN (No. 38 in FIFA world rankings)
26. SOUTH KOREA (No. 25)
27. AUSTRALIA (No. 27)
28. IVORY COAST (No. 33)
35. ALGERIA (No. 28)
30. PARAGUAY (No. 40)
31. IRAN (No. 21)
32. SCOTLAND (No. 42)
EXTREME LONG SHOTS OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP
33. GHANA (No. 73)
34. CZECH REPUBLIC (No. 39)
35. BOSNIA AND HEZERGOVINA (No. 64)
36. TUNISIA (No. 46)
37. SOUTH AFRICA (No. 60)
38. SAUDI ARABIA (No. 61)
39. PANAMA (No. 34)
40. UZBEKISTAN (No. 50)
ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP
41. IRAQ (No. 56)
42. CONGO DR (No. 45)
43. HAITI (No. 83)
44. QATAR (No. 57)
45. NEW ZEALAND (No. 85)
46. CAPE VERDE (No. 67)
47. JORDAN (No. 63) 48. CURAÇAO (No. 82)
Editor’s be aware
John Molinaro is considered one of the main soccer journalists in Canada, having lined the sport for over 27 years for a number of media shops, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports activities and Solar Media. He’s presently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a web site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
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