The holders are back. Argentina start the defence in Group J against a sharp Austria, a physical Algeria and debutants Jordan. The favourites should cruise — should being the operative word.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group J we break down all four sides — Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Erling Haaland finally gets a World Cup — and he's walked straight into France. Add a Senegal side full of Premier League muscle and a gritty Iraq, and Group I is can't-miss.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group I we break down all four sides — France, Norway, Senegal and Iraq — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Japan beat both Germany and Spain at the last World Cup. The Netherlands are favourites in Group F — but Japan, a chaotic Sweden and a stubborn Tunisia make this anything but a free pass.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group F we break down all four sides — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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The golden generation is greying. Belgium open against Egypt, fancied Iran are lurking, and New Zealand are making up the numbers — but is there one more deep run left in this Belgium side? Group G has a sleeper in it.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group G we break down all four sides — Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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European champions, frightening in midfield, and drawn into a Group H where Uruguay are genuinely dangerous, Saudi Arabia have a habit of upsets, and Cape Verde are living a fairytale. Spain are the team to avoid.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group H we break down all four sides — Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Germany should stroll it. But the story of Group E is Curaçao — one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup — sharing a pitch with a dangerous Ivory Coast and a sneaky-good Ecuador.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group E we break down all four sides — Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaçao — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Home soil, a friendly draw, and an entire country watching. Mexico have no hiding place in Group A — and South Korea will have plenty to say about it.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group A we break down all four sides — Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Czechia — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Scotland waited 28 years to get back — and the draw handed them Brazil and a Morocco side that reached a World Cup semi-final last time out. Brutal. Group C is carnage.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group C we break down all four sides — Brazil, Scotland, Morocco and Haiti — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Hosts, home crowds, and a group that's there for the taking. Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye are no joke — but if the USA don't get out of Group D, there are real questions to answer.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group D we break down all four sides — USA, Türkiye, Australia and Paraguay — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

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Everyone's looking at the hosts. They shouldn't be. Switzerland are the quiet operators in Group B, with Canada riding the home crowd and a stubborn Bosnia side scrapping behind them.

This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group B we break down all four sides — Canada, Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blows the group open.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices