![\"FIFA](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131651578,imgsize-102130,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/fifa-wc-1106-ap.jpg\" "\\"AP")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The wait is finally over. When Mexico step out at the iconic Estadio Azteca against South Africa on June 11 to kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>, they will do so in front of a football<\/a> world that has been holding its breath for four years since Lionel Messi and Argentina’s stunning triumph in Qatar.It promises to be the biggest, boldest and most ambitious World Cup in history \u2014 48 nations, three host countries, 16 cities and 104 matches unfolding over 39 thrilling days. For the first time, the expanded format means that not only are the top two teams from every group guaranteed passage to the knockout stages, but eight of the best third-placed sides will also join them in the Round of 32. That means more drama, more heartbreak and more fairytales.From Messi and Ronaldo chasing one final hurdle to Haaland threatening to blow open the entire bracket, from Morocco’s title ambitions to the debuts of Cura\u00e7ao and Jordan, this is a tournament that has everything.Here is your group-by-group guide to who might be going through, who to watch and where the real battles will be fought.<\/span>Group A (FIFA rankings): Mexico (15), South Korea (25), Czechia (39), South Africa (60)<\/span>All eyes are on the Azteca as the tournament opens in Mexico City. Playing at home with a roaring crowd, Mexico have everything to prove and everything to lose. South Korea are disciplined, high-pressing and difficult to break down. They were the only Asian side to go unbeaten in qualifying and reached the round of 16 in Qatar.Czechia battled through the UEFA playoffs and will fancy their chances of competing for second spot. South Africa are back after a 16-year absence and will hope to spring an early surprise. <\/p>\n Teams likely to finish in top two: Mexico \u00b7 South Korea<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Hirving Lozano, Mexico \u2014 explosive winger and a potential trump card for the co-hostsLee Kang-in, South Korea \u2014 PSG playmaker and the creative engine of the Korean sideGroup B: Switzerland (18), Canada (37), Qatar (57), Bosnia and Herzegovina (64)<\/span>The lowest-ranked group on average, but fiercely competitive. Co-hosts Canada are desperate to end their run of first-round exits, with Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies leading the charge. Switzerland remain one of Europe’s most reliable tournament teams.Bosnia arrive with confidence after stunning Italy in qualifying, while Qatar, veterans of hosting the 2022 edition, are organised enough to trouble bigger sides.Teams likely to finish in top two: Switzerland \u00b7 Canada<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Jonathan David, Canada \u2014 prolific striker and one of Europe’s top scorersGranit Xhaka, Switzerland \u2014 midfield general and the heartbeat of the Swiss sideGroup C: Brazil (6), Morocco (8), Scotland (42), Haiti (83)<\/span>Two top-10 nations make this one of the most intriguing groups. Five-time champions Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti arrive with a point to prove, but Morocco are no longer outsiders. The 2022 semi-finalists and reigning AFCON champions have firmly established themselves among the elite.Scotland bring energy and set-piece threat, while Haiti return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 with nothing to lose.Teams likely to finish in top two: Brazil \u00b7 Morocco<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Vinicius Jr, Brazil \u2014 electric forward and Real Madrid’s match-winnerAchraf Hakimi, Morocco \u2014 PSG full-back and Champions League winner, lethal going forwardGroup D: USA (16), Turkey (22), Australia (27), Paraguay (40)<\/span>Among the three hosts, the USA arguably face the toughest assignment. Mauricio Pochettino’s side possess home advantage and an exciting generation, but Turkey’s unpredictability and talent make them dangerous opponents.Australia bring the fighting spirit that carried them to the round of 16 in 2022, while Paraguay remain South America’s traditional spoilers.Teams likely to finish in top two: USA \u00b7 Turkey<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Christian Pulisic, USA \u2014 AC Milan midfielder and the face of the American gameArda G\u00fcler, Turkey \u2014 Real Madrid’s gifted youngster and one of Europe’s brightest talentsGroup E: Germany (10), Ecuador (23), Ivory Coast (33), Cura\u00e7ao (82)<\/span>Germany are desperate to end their run of group-stage disappointments. Ecuador, runners-up in CONMEBOL qualifying, have emerged as one of South America’s most disciplined sides.Ivory Coast cannot be underestimated, while debutants Cura\u00e7ao have already created history by becoming the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup finals.Teams likely to finish in top two: Germany \u00b7 Ecuador<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Mois\u00e9s Caicedo, Ecuador \u2014 Chelsea’s powerhouse midfielder and a tireless presence in the middleFlorian Wirtz, Germany \u2014 Liverpool’s gifted playmaker and the future of German footballGroup F: Netherlands (7), Japan (17), Sweden (38), Tunisia (46)<\/span>Japan were the first team to qualify and continue to impress. Alongside the Netherlands, they form one of the strongest pairings in the tournament, although the Oranje have often flattered to deceive on the big stage.Sweden possess serious attacking firepower, while Tunisia’s defensive organisation makes them capable of frustrating anyone.Teams likely to finish in top two: Netherlands \u00b7 Japan<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands \u2014 the Dutch captain and one of the finest defenders of his generationTakefusa Kubo, Japan \u2014 Real Sociedad’s tricky attacker and Japan’s creative sparkGroup G: Belgium (9), Iran (21), Egypt (29), New Zealand (85)<\/span>Belgium’s golden generation may have faded, but the Red Devils still possess quality. Egypt’s hopes revolve around Mohamed Salah, who finally gets the opportunity to shine on football’s biggest stage.Iran’s campaign comes amid off-field uncertainty, while New Zealand arrive as the lowest-ranked side in the tournament.Teams likely to finish in top two: Belgium \u00b7 Egypt<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Mohamed Salah, Egypt \u2014 Liverpool legend and the Pharaohs’ once-in-a-generation starLois Openda, Belgium \u2014 RB Leipzig striker and Belgium’s new attacking leaderGroup H: Spain (2), Uruguay (17), Saudi Arabia (61), Cape Verde (67)<\/span>Spain enter as one of the favourites, boasting a brilliant young generation led by Lamine Yamal. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, however, are more than capable of challenging for top spot.Saudi Arabia have already shown their ability to upset giants, while Cape Verde make their World Cup debut carrying the hopes of a small island nation.Teams likely to finish in top two: Spain \u00b7 Uruguay<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Lamine Yamal, Spain \u2014 Barcelona’s teenage phenomenon, already world-classFederico Valverde, Uruguay \u2014 Real Madrid’s box-to-box dynamo and Uruguay’s leaderGroup I (Group of Death): France (1), Senegal (14), Norway (31), Iraq (56)<\/span>The Group of Death. France are the world’s top-ranked side and favourites to reach another final, but battle-hardened Senegal will push them all the way.Norway, inspired by Erling Haaland, are among the tournament’s most exciting dark horses, while Iraq return after a 40-year absence.Teams likely to finish in top two: France \u00b7 Senegal<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Erling Haaland, Norway \u2014 Manchester City’s unstoppable goalscorer and qualifying’s top scorerKylian Mbapp\u00e9, France \u2014 Real Madrid superstar and favourite for the Golden BootGroup J: Argentina (3), Austria (24), Algeria (28), Jordan (63)Argentina begin their title defence in one of the kinder groups, although Austria’s pressing game could provide problems. With this likely to be Messi’s final World Cup, every match carries extra significance.Algeria and Austria are closely matched, while debutants Jordan arrive unbeaten from qualifying and full of belief.Teams likely to finish in top two: Argentina \u00b7 Austria<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Lionel Messi, Argentina \u2014 possibly his last World Cup, still magical at 38Marcel Sabitzer, Austria \u2014 Dortmund’s tenacious midfielder and Austria’s engineGroup K: Portugal (5), Colombia (13), Uzbekistan (51), DR Congo (54)<\/span>Could this be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final act on football’s biggest stage? Portugal have enough quality to go deep, but Colombia are likely to provide the sternest challenge.Uzbekistan are fascinating debutants under Fabio Cannavaro, while DR Congo return to the finals after more than half a century.Teams likely to finish in top two: Portugal \u00b7 Colombia<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal \u2014 record six-time participant still chasing the trophy that has eluded himJames Rodr\u00edguez, Colombia \u2014 the star of 2014, back for one more chapterGroup L: England (4), Croatia (11), Panama (34), Ghana (73)<\/span>England begin with a repeat of the 2018 semi-final against Croatia. Harry Kane’s pursuit of more World Cup goals will be one of the stories of the tournament.Croatia continue to defy expectations, while Panama and Ghana are capable of making life difficult for everyone in the group.Teams likely to finish in top two: England \u00b7 Croatia<\/span>Players to watch<\/span>Harry Kane, England \u2014 Bayern Munich’s prolific striker and England’s all-time leading scorerLuka Modric, Croatia \u2014 Real Madrid legend, timeless midfielder and perhaps one last danceForty-eight nations. Twelve groups. One trophy.<\/span>The 2026 FIFA World Cup has everything a football fan could possibly want. The Messi-Ronaldo swansong runs through Groups J and K like a golden thread. The Group of Death in Group I promises the kind of football that keeps you awake till 3 am. The host nations \u2014 the United States, Mexico and Canada \u2014 carry not just results but the weight of an entire continent’s football identity on their shoulders.And somewhere in the mix, a team nobody expected \u2014 perhaps Norway, perhaps Morocco \u2014 could go on a run that makes the whole world stop and stare.If anything, there are more stories to tell, more upsets to absorb, and more hearts to break and mend. Buckle up. The biggest World Cup in history starts now.<\/div>\n![\".\"](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-131651703\/.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n