It seems like it takes forever for the four years between World Cups to pass by, even though there has been less time—by a few months—between the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar and the 2026 version held in North America (the United States, Canada, and Mexico). But the time has come, and the world will sit up and pay close attention.
In addition to a shorter wait—2002 was held in November and December, while this year it’s June and July—the World Cup has massively expanded the field from 32 countries to 48. While an expanded format makes it easier to qualify and advance to the knockout rounds, once-powerful Italy remarkably finds itself sidelined yet again.
With 48 teams, there are 12 divisions of four teams each. The top two teams from each stage advance, and then the eight best third-place teams also advance, meaning 32 teams enter the Knockout Stage a few weeks from now.
Group Grope
So let’s start with the Group Stage. With four teams in each group, every country plays the other countries in that group. The top point-getters advance. (Reminder: 2 points for a victory, 1 point for a tie). Here’s a listing of the groups and the member countries, along with their schedule and locations of the games. All times are Eastern unless otherwise noted.
GROUP A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Korea Republic
- Czechia
Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. Czechia, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
GROUP B
- Canada
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Friday, June 12, 3 p.m. (Fox): Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 13, 3 p.m. (Fox): Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)
GROUP C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. (FS1): Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. (Fox): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP D
- United States
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Türkiye
Friday, June 12, 9 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. Türkiye, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 19, 11 p.m. (FS1): Türkiye vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (Fox): Türkiye vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
GROUP E
- Germany
- Curaçao
- Ivory Coast
- Ecuador
Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (Fox): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
GROUP F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sunday, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): Sweden vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Sweden, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, México)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. Sweden, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (Fox): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Monday, June 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Monday, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)
GROUP H
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Monday, June 15, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Monday, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
GROUP I
- France
- Senegal
- Iraq
- Norway
Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq, BMO Field (Toronto)
GROUP J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP K
- Portugal
- DR Congo
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Friday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. DR Congo, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Friday, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Great Group Wagers
With only 16 teams being eliminated between the Group Stage and the Knockout Stage, it’s not too tough to pick the obvious winners. You can almost depend upon the world powers advancing: Spain, France, England, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany are almost a lock to get through.
But there are multiple bets for each group—teams that won’t qualify, teams that will; teams with the most points, teams with the least points; teams that will finish one-two, exact order of teams getting through; how many points will each team post, how many goals will each team score… the possibilities are endless.
But let’s concentrate on which teams will qualify for the Knockout Stage and which teams will be one of the 16 unlucky teams that will return home with their tails between their legs.
Let’s start with the home teams. In group D, the U.S. is paired with Turkey, Paraguay, and Australia. There’s lots of pressure on the U.S. to advance, given that they advanced in the 2022 World Cup but lost in the round of 16. It’s an even better draw this time. None of the teams are powerhouses, and the U.S. is +138 to win the group and -1000 to advance at BetMGM. But somehow, the U.S. always runs into a buzzsaw, so a bet of +450 to not advance isn’t crazy.
Canada is also under pressure, even though no one has ever accused it of being a soccer power. In fact, they’ve only played in the World Cup two times, in 1968 and 2022, when they exited after the Group Stage. Their draw is also not too difficult, matching with Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Qatar. Canada is +200 to win the stage and -450 to advance. Not making the Knockout Stage will cost you +300.
Mexico is a recognized world power, but they have never won the World Cup. And talk about pressure. Mexican fans rival any of the most rabid fans in the world, so an exit after the Group Stage will be unacceptable. They have a tougher draw with South Africa, the Korea Republic and Czechia, all relatively good teams. The Mexicans are -125 to win the group and a hefty -1200 to advance. Betting on them not to advance is +800.
Wild Cards
So, where can you get value in terms of who will advance and who will not?
Let’s start with Australia and the U.S. in Group D. You get short plus money at +110. Group D is incredibly tight, with overlapping lines. While Australia is the longest shot to win the group outright, their even-money/slight plus-money price to simply qualify is highly attractive.
In Group E, the Ivory Coast is a dark horse. In a group with Germany and Ecuador (-10000 and -1800 respectively). Ivory Coast is powered by a dangerous, athletic counter-attacking squad, and is a massive mismatch for the group’s true longshot, Curaçao. If they handle business there and catch a vulnerable Germany or Ecuador on a bad day, they have the high-end talent to completely flip the group standings.
In Group G, New Zealand gets plus money at +150 to advance. Belgium is expected to run away with this group, leaving a wide-open battle for the remaining spots between Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. Egypt relies heavily on Mohamed Salah, but its overall depth has looked vulnerable. New Zealand opens up against Iran—a match that will dictate their entire tournament. If they can secure a positive result there, their defensive structure gives them a massive opportunity to sneak through as one of the best third-place teams at +175.
And one more in Group F, Japan has some great odds and some impressive recent results in friendlies. Japan enters with incredible momentum, securing marquee wins over Brazil (3-2) and England (1-0) during the current cycle. They sit alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. While the Dutch boast a stellar defense, Japan is priced at +250 to win Group F and -450 to qualify. Their hyper-disciplined pressing under Hajime Moriyasu makes them an absolute lock to advance, and they also have a high probability of reaching the Quarter-Finals.
There are four bets to consider, but as usual, the World Cup is the most wagered-upon event whenever it is held every four years. So do some research, get to know the teams and the players, and the coaches, and you can have one of the most entertaining and profitable months of the entire year.
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