World Cup 2026 Group Stage Predictions: Who Will Advance and Who Might Shock the World?
The group stage has been decided, and we’re all excited about the battles that will unfold in June 2026. Last tournament, I rooted for Morocco because of Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi. They played brilliantly, and I was genuinely surprised they reached the semifinals, making history as the first African team to do so in a World Cup. What an underdog story that was, and I’m hoping they come back even stronger this time.
This year, the big question remains: who will be the next underdog? Who will pull off a shocking upset? And who are the favorites to win it all? Argentina again? France? Portugal? We’ll find out soon enough but the anticipation is already building.
Favorites to Advance
Powerhouse teams like Argentina, France, and England are expected to dominate the group stage. Argentina, led by a strong core and coming off their 2022 World Cup victory, still look like serious contenders to win it again for the 4th time. France continues to produce elite talent with the help of Mbappe and Dembele who is the ballon d’or winner. England’s depth and consistency make them a safe bet to advance. Even though they’re the favorites, they need to stay on their toes because they’ll never know who’ll push them out of the line.
Potential Underdogs to Watch
Keep an eye on teams like Morocco, Japan, and Senegal. Morocco proved in 2022 that discipline and teamwork can take you far. Japan has consistently shocked bigger teams with their speed and tactical play especially with what they’ve done in 2022 which resulted in an upset against Germany(2-1) and Spain(2-1). Senegal, with their physicality and experience, could also cause problems for top-tier teams. Sadio Mane wouldn’t miss this chance to show the world how strong Senegal is in the grand stage. There are a lot of underdogs that’ll show how determination, perseverance, and undying will will win games and move on to the next stage.
Possible Upsets in the Making
Every World Cup has its surprises, and 2026 will be no different. With the expanded 48-team format, there’s more room for unexpected results. Smaller nations now have a bigger stage and that means more chances for giant-killing moments which I want to see more because it brings excitement to the games. According to, the new format is designed to increase competitiveness and global representation.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of the World Cup lies in its unpredictability. Favorites may rise, but underdogs always have their moment. That’s what makes football the world’s game.
The time has come to enjoy world cup football! Share us your predictions! ⚽
